平和
和平
평화
ASEAN
22 March 2014
Manila Hotel 1945

Manila Hotel

When you arrive in Manila's heat, pollution and traffic jams, it is difficult to believe that it was known as the "Pearl of the Orient". But when you enter the doors of Manila Hotel ...

When you arrive in Manila's heat, pollution and traffic jams, it is difficult to believe that it was known as the "Pearl of the Orient". This image is equally distant when you venture into the bright side of today's Manila, with its vast shopping malls and casinos.

But when you enter the doors of Manila Hotel, the images of the pearl are very much still alive.

Manila is a city that has not been treated well by history. Destroyed in World War 2. Ravaged by natural disasters. Neglected by corrupt governments resulting in its dilapidated infrastructure. And invaded by Filipinos coming from the countryside, making it one of the world's most overcrowded cities.

But Manila Hotel has always been something special, and renovations undertaken a few years back have breathed new life into this wonderful old lady.

The Manila Hotel opened on July 4, 1912, commemorating American Independence. Quite aptly, four hundred handsomely groomed and elegantly attired guests were ushered in for a dinner of American roast, Philippine lobster, and French Champagne.

Philippine President Manuel Quezon invited General Douglas MacArthur to build the Philippine army in 1935. MacArthur, his wife Jean and son Arthur then made Manila Hotel their home. MacArthur's favorite food at the hotel was lapu-lapu, a grouper fish native to the Philippines, wrapped in banana leaves.

When World War II broke out, General MacArthur made Manila Hotel his command post. He stayed until the successful Japanese onslaught forced him out in 1941. From 1942 to 1945, the Japanese flag flew over the hotel. When MacArthur returned in 1945, he saw the penthouse blazed into flames by machine gun fire, consuming his military library, his souvenirs, and other personal belongings. His last visit before his passing was in 1961.

Since the War, everyone but everyone has stayed at the Manila Hotel. Celebrities like John Wayne, Bob Hope, Marlon Brando, Tyrone Power, the Beatles, and Michael Jackson. Political figures like Eisenhower, Nixon, Kissinger, Clinton, Johnson, Nakasone, Kohl, Mandela, John Foster Dulles, and Robert Kennedy to name just a few.

Manila Hotel has also been the stage for Philippine political events. In 1986, a group of military officers loyal to the deposed President Marcos, took over the Hotel and declared Arturo Tolentino, who was Mr. Marcos's vice presidential running mate, as President. They surrendered two days later. On October 20 1987, Cory Aquino delivered a speech at the Hotel that became the turning point in her campaign.

I first visited Manila Hotel in the year 2000. It was then in a sad and sorry state. Years of neglect were taking their toll. Manila Hotel was then brilliantly renovated in 2009-2010 under the ownership of Emilio T. Yap, a Chinese-Filipino businessman.

Today, the Manila Hotel is by far the best hotel in Manila, and one of the best in the world. It is in fact much more than a hotel. It is one of the best historical monuments and museums in Manila. The magnificent, white, green-tile-roofed California Missionary-styled edifice takes you back to Manila's glory days. The lobby area transports you to a dream world. The wonderful archives has photos documenting its history, which is also the history of Manila. And it is just adjacent Intramuros, the oldest district of Manila, built by the Spaniards in the 16th century.

One final recommendation. If you have a healthy budget, please stay in the MacArthur suite on the 5th floor. I am sure that you will not regret it.

As Ernest Hemingway once said, “It’s a good story if it’s like Manila Hotel”.

Author

John West
Executive Director
Asian Century Institute
www.asiancenturyinstitute.com

REFERENCES:

- Manila Hotel

Tags: asean, manila hotel, manila, philippines, General Douglas MacArthur

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