A HOLLER OUT FOR HILTON...
OK. Right now I am in the midst of writing an article on the Manila Hilton for Rogue Magazine. It's been quite a while in the making truth be told (almost five to six months now).
I interviewed it's owners, the hotel's many wonderfully charming ladies from the opening team, and collected a cache of very interesting photos of the hotel in it's heydey from 1967 until 1988, a when Ermita was still the country's premier business address and The Manila Hilton was the center of Philippine high society.
Some have said that the Manila Hilton was the only true 5 star hotel in the City of Manila. They popularized the "lunchtime" fashion show, as well as introduced the concept of in-house art galleries, in-house shopping centers, and even a real Catholic chapel (so you could have a wedding and a reception in exactly the same venue).
And in order to get a feel of the hotel, I actually stayed overnight with my wife, Tesa. And even though the hotel has new owners and name (The Manila Pavilion of the Waterfront Group of Hotels), one room still remains as an evocative time capsule, still trapped in it's narra carved, capiz lit, polyester curtained 1967 glory.
And just for shicks and kiggles, Tesa and I did a photo shoot with some friends to try and capture the glamour and precariousness of the Cold War era. We tried to do make a pa-edgy fashion shoot without well, the fashion. We were kinda going for this architecture-as-historical-narrative blah blah.
Some have said that the Manila Hilton was the only true 5 star hotel in the City of Manila. They popularized the "lunchtime" fashion show, as well as introduced the concept of in-house art galleries, in-house shopping centers, and even a real Catholic chapel (so you could have a wedding and a reception in exactly the same venue).
And in order to get a feel of the hotel, I actually stayed overnight with my wife, Tesa. And even though the hotel has new owners and name (The Manila Pavilion of the Waterfront Group of Hotels), one room still remains as an evocative time capsule, still trapped in it's narra carved, capiz lit, polyester curtained 1967 glory. 
And just for shicks and kiggles, Tesa and I did a photo shoot with some friends to try and capture the glamour and precariousness of the Cold War era. We tried to do make a pa-edgy fashion shoot without well, the fashion. We were kinda going for this architecture-as-historical-narrative blah blah.
Now, let me get to my point. The reason why I am posting this is because I need more data. If anybody out there has an interesting story, an interesting photograph, or an image of an interesting personality that stayed in the hotel. Pleeeease come forward.
I want this article to be a good one, and I am not quite content with what I have gathered so far. I especially need pictures of celebrities that stayed there. I heard that Muhammad Ali, Lynda Carter, Gregory Peck, Dovie Beams, and countless CIA operatives stayed at the Manila Hilton, but I don't have any photographic proof. Architectural shots of the Barrio Hilton by the swimming pool, and the Coral Ballroom would also be much appreciated. And any photo of Ninoy Aquino being whisked away from the hotel by the police a day after martial law was declared will get my eternal gratitude.
I want this article to be a good one, and I am not quite content with what I have gathered so far. I especially need pictures of celebrities that stayed there. I heard that Muhammad Ali, Lynda Carter, Gregory Peck, Dovie Beams, and countless CIA operatives stayed at the Manila Hilton, but I don't have any photographic proof. Architectural shots of the Barrio Hilton by the swimming pool, and the Coral Ballroom would also be much appreciated. And any photo of Ninoy Aquino being whisked away from the hotel by the police a day after martial law was declared will get my eternal gratitude.
Hope to hear from you all soon.
posted by carlosceldran @ 11:24 PM
15 Comments:
Carlos, I *think* (but am not positive) that whole sequences of the 1982 French film 'Cinq et la Peau'--a weird nombrilistic ode to Manila and its women by Pierre Rissient--were filmed in the Hilton. One sees the pool, the lobby, and several rooms with that oh-so-1970s decor of polyester, narra, and coconut derivatives, haha. (Plus priceless cameos by Gloria Diaz, Bembol Roco, Menchu Menchaca, et al, in cringe-making early-'80s fashions.) Might be hard to get a copy of the film, but perhaps you could interview Pierre while he is still of this world. Another possible resource is Ed Cabagnot of the CCP Film Archive, who's a walking film encyclopaedia. Hope this doesn't turn out to be a false lead, and good luck with the article!
I don't have retro-info sa Manila Hilton but if it is owned by Gatchalian, the future doesn't look so bright.
Di ba Waterfront defaulted on their loans sa Cebu hotels nila and hid the fact from the PSE for a couple of years now? It was on Businessworld and the Cocktales blog last week. Tapos they bid pa for Mimosa and when show-cards na they failed to come up with the moolah (subsequently forcing there to be a failure of auction).
Lucio Tan (who controls Waterfront lender PNB and thus has first dibs) will end up owning the Cebu Waterfronts. I wonder how this will affect Manila Hilton.
I stayed at this famous hotel (renamed Pavilion)for 3 days in 1993. There were a lot of Ipis (cucaracha) roaming around at night in the Bathroom. It was embarrassing to my American guests at the time.
i was told that they had one of the best steaks in town before. was that true?
Hi Carlos! This is Philip from the Rotary Club of Makati-Dasma. I'm so glad you're writing about the old Manila Hilton. You know, for 5 years of my life (1969-1972; 1974-1976), I lived in my grandmother's building (the old Vizcarra Handicraft Building) on U.N. Avenue which was 2 blocks away from the Hilton. I still remember my parents and/or my grandparents taking me and my brother and sisters to the Patisserie and, during special occasions, to the Rotisserie. I remember the countless times I became a ring bearer and the reception was held at the Coral Ballroom. I remember an aunt who got married at the Wedding Chapel of the Hilton (which was then administered by the Parish Priest of the Ermita Catholic Church). It was a really nice hotel. Even when we moved out of Ermita and relocated to Forbes in 1976, my parents would still treat us to a meal at the Hilton quite often. Believe it or not, while the hotel is no longer a Hilton (I think it became an Holiday Inn before being presently known as the Waterfront Manila Pavilion) I still find myself regularly going back to the hotel for its singular saving grace -- the Rotisserie. The Rotisserie is the Manila Pavilion's only link to its once glorious past. I just had dinner a few weeks ago at the Rotisserie. It was just like the late 1960s-early 1970s when I used to eat there my parents and grandparents. They still have table assistants who would light a patron’s cigar by dipping it in brandy and then lighting the cigar with flame from the brandy itself. As far as I know, it’s the only establishment in Manila that does this. And Benjamin, as far as I'm concerned, the Rotisserie still serves Manila's best Caesar's Salad and Roast Prime Rib (much better than the Prime Rib of Prince Albert, Myron's, and even Elbert's). My tip to people who want to eat at the Rotisserie, when you are there and are seated at your table, close your eyes for just 1 minute and I swear that you could actually relive scenes featuring the well dressed gentlemen and ladies of the late 1960s having a late supper at the Rotisserie after watching a play or classical performance at the PhilAm Life Theater across the street.
I totally agree Philip! The Rotisserie is still one of the finest restaurants in Manila. I ate there a few weeks back. It was just great. With all the Alcuaz paintings around you, it really felt like the 70's. It DID feel like you could possibly see Carlos P. Romulo at the corner table with Beth Day enjoying a Crepe Suzette.
I should do a review on it. Or at least somebody should...
My Cousin had her wedding in Manila Hilton. It is a huge place.
I used to stay in hotels in Roxas Blvd but not 5 star probably 3 to 4 star hotels with my mom. Those were the days when hotels in Manila were cheaper. My Mother always order me a chicken club sandwich and Continental breakfast.
I stayed a lot of hotels in Manila but never experience cockroaches roaming around in the bedroom or bathroom. The best hotel I ever stayed was Cebu Plaza hotel on top of the mountain in Cebu
(before the built the bigger building) And Magellan hotel was also a great hotel.
Hi Carlos,
Like Achilles, I've stayed at numerous hotels around Manila and Makati since I was a child, but never experienced a single cockroach. One thing I like about the old Hilton and other other hotels for that matter during my childhood days (as compared to the ultra modern hotels of today) is the presence of quality wooden furnitures and fixtures.
Good luck on your article.
Mommy
Hi Carlos,
Moises Sia has pictures of a fashion show at the Hilton with Isabel Preysler, among others, a la "My Fair Lady" fashion. I'm sure he will never run out of anecdotes and stories of events that took place in that premier hotel of the 60's. You must try to tap him while his mind is still working, heh heh.
Tata
Hi! Carlos,
When is this article of yours coming out in Rouge? Id love to get a copy i'v always been fascinated with the history of old Manila specially the Manila Hotel and similar establishments like the Manila Hilton. I can still remember my sister and her coming out party in Manila Hotel... I miss those days when people actually dressed up.
Sorry, off topic.. when my family and I stayed in Shangrila Makati, I saw a cockroach roaming in the bathroom :(
Carlos,
With the current owner who has "big" political "asspirations", the hotel has reached to a point of no return! Standards are way down and it is plagued by labor union problems. It became a hub or meeting point for "aswangs" to pick up clients!Good old memories should be left undisturbed! Make the good moments stay in our hearts for eternity.
Carlos - it's truly amazing how if it's meant to be it will happen....I was in Manila recently and took your tour of Intramuros with my family .... and I now see you are writing an article about a property that I have intimate relations with....the Manila Hilton was a main influence in much of what has shaped me today...I was a part of it from its' inception!!!!.....let's find a way to talk and exchange......I will find you outside of this site.....so we may begin our conversation....you wont' regret it...I had crepes with CPR and BD, shook hands with Gregory Peck, dined with Ali and welcomed the Jackson 5 and even gave a bday party in honor Marvis Frazer, son of Joe Frazier a few days before the Thrilla in Manila!!!...much of the commentaries I've read, speak truth......touch base soon....best......
I used to work as a foreign chef at the Manila Hilton from 1976 until 1978. At this time we only used the best food items available. The import of American prime beef and Swiss chocolate was not that easy as it probably is today.
Kurt Schaub
Hi Carlos,
I used to work as a foreign chef at the Manila Hilton from 1976 until 1978. At this time we only used the best food items available. The import of American prime beef and Swiss chocolate was not that easy as it probably is today.
Kurt Schaub
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