The Manila Hotel’s 111th Anniversary

Aside from The Beatles, another famous celebrity that stayed at The Manila Hotel was King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Back in December 1996, the late pop icon had his first and only two-night concert in the Philippines. He stayed at The Manila Hotel and, as recounted by the hotel's then PR Manager Gwen Jacinto, the superstar participated in the hotel's annual Orphan Christmas Party at the Champagne Gardens. The gathering was attended by 300 children. Jackson graced the event and distributed the gifts to the kids. She remembered him thanking the staff for letting him join in something that meant a lot to him.

Singer and all-around entertainer Sammy Davis, Jr. was in Manila in 1980. This archive photo shows the singer, dancer, actor, vaudevillian, and comedian (center) having a chat with then The Manila Hotel General Manager Roman Cruz in the penthouse suite. Davis had a long, distinguished career in show business and he was known for being a part of the Rat Pack along with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, among others. The group starred in the original "Ocean's 11" film in 1960. In the late 1970s and through much of the ’80s, Davis primarily worked the casino circuit and headlined a 1988 comeback tour with Sinatra and Martin. His much-acclaimed 1989 film “Tap” was his last screen performance.

Grammy Award-winning Cuban-American singer and songwriter Gloria Estefan received a warm welcome at The Manila Hotel during her stay when she held her concert for the “Into the Light World Tour” in Manila in 1991. The tour covered 100 cities in five countries and was seen by more than 10 million people. That time, it was reported that Estefan also met with then-President Corazon Aquino and donated a $10,000 check to help the country recover from a tropical storm that killed 6,000 people. She also pledged to donate proceeds of her two shows in Manila to Mount Pinatubo victims. She reportedly said she had an affinity with the Filipino people because three of the nurses that tended to her after a tour bus accident the year before were Filipinas.

When the late South African president, apartheid revolutionary, statesman and philanthropist Nelson Mandela visited the Philippines in March 1997, he stayed at The Manila Hotel and called the MacArthur Suite his home for a few days. He even met with the late former President Corazon Aquino there. In our archives, President Mandela has an autograph with a note that said, "Staying at the Douglas MacArthur suite has been an unforgettable experience." July 18 is Nelson Mandela International Day, which was launched on Mr. Mandela’s birthday (July 18) in 2009 via a unanimous decision by the UN General Assembly. The day is meant to inspire people all over the world to make a positive difference in their communities by volunteering their time, in recognition of Mr. Mandela’s lifetime of service and dedication to justice and equality. May we all make a difference in the world in the little things we do.

American rock band Bon Jovi was one of the biggest groups in the world back in the '80s and '90s. During a visit to Manila, the band's frontman Jon Bon Jovi (John Bongiovi Jr.), was seen here in Manila Hotel being welcomed by one of the officers. The New Jersey rock star was just one of the many pop royalties that have visited or have stayed at The Manila Hotel.

Based on newspaper reports, the late, great Marlon Brando visited the Philippines in 1956. In our archive photo, notice the Hollywood actor wearing a barong. He was billeted at The Manila Hotel, as recalled by Mr. Iking Garcia (writer for the Movie Confidential publication), who apparently waited seven hours and was eventually invited to see Mr. Brando in his "well-guarded" suite at the Grand Dame. The writer reportedly "talked to him, drank scotch and soda" for almost an hour with the actor whom he described as "a perfect gentleman."

Prince Charles visited the Philippines back in July 1997 to affirm East Asia's political and commercial importance to Britain after the handover of Hong Kong to China, as reported by UPI. The prince was accorded full military honors on his arrival at Malacanang palace for his meeting with President Fidel Ramos. He was also the guest of honor in a reception at The Manila Hotel attended by prominent members of the Filipino business community.

In 2011, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came for a one-day working visit in the country. Clinton flew in from Hawaii on board an official US plane, and then quickly rode her black limousine and checked in at The Manila Hotel. Hillary Clinton preferred the historic MacArthur suite rather than the Presidential Suite favored by other VIP guests. Clinton visited the country to grace the 60th anniversary of the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty and signed the Manila declaration renewing America’s commitment to the treaty.

American singer/actress Liza Minnelli--daughter of actress/singer Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli--rose to international stardom for her portrayal of Sally Bowles in the 1972 film version of the Broadway musical "Cabaret." The role garnered her an Academy Award for Best Actress. She is a three-time Tony Awardee, an Emmy Award winner, a two-time Golden Globe recipient, and a Grammy Legend. From our archives, here was the legendary Liza posing for a picture with The Manila Hotel's then General Manager, Franz Schutzman, in the late 1970s.

The Multiple Grammy awardee, singer-songwriter Michael Bolton returned to Manila in 2017 for his Asian Dream Tour concert. The tour was a follow up from his TV series “Bolt of Talent,” where aspiring singer-songwriters from four Asian countries competed for a recording contract and a world tour with the pop culture icon himself. Bolton traveled all the way to the country to scout for up-and-coming singers. Bolton has sold more than 75 million records, recording eight top 10 albums and two number-one singles on the Billboard charts. He’s popularly known for hit singles such as “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You,” “When a Man Loves a Woman,” “Georgia on My Mind”, and “Go the Distance” to name a few.