On July 4, the historic Manila Hotel marked its 110th year with a thanksgiving celebration attended by its valued VIP guests like ambassadors, senators, mayors and vice mayors, and councilors; its partners, clients, and more. The illustrious guests were greeted by iconic hotel’s Board of Directors, and everyone enjoyed heavy cocktails and free-flowing drinks. As the guests streamed in, they were greeted by the soothing music of the Podium String Quartet.
With the theme “Experience the True Heart of the Philippines,” the iconic hotel celebrated another year by showcasing the best of the country’s talents. The doxology and the National Anthem were sung by the Office of the President of the Philippines’ Chorale. They followed these with renditions of “Pilipinas Kong Mahal” and “Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika.” The CEU Folk Dance Troupe gave a review of various folk dances representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, namely the Banga, Salip, Paseo de Ilo-Ilo, Pindulas, Polkabal, Binasuan, and the Tinikling. They also sang “Pilipinas” and “Maraming Salamat.”
The last of the night’s performances was from the classical-trained soprano Lara Maigue. A multi-awarded artist, this performer who has wowed audiences here and abroad delivered stunning versions of “Never Enough” and “A Million Dreams” from the film “The Greatest Showman;” the Filipino classic “Sa Kabukiran;” “Queen of the Night Aria” over the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Der Hölle Rache.
In his opening remarks, Executive Vice President Dr. Enrique Yap, Jr., highlighted the hotel’s storied past with an eye towards the future. “It has been three years since we last celebrated our anniversary. Seeing all of you tonight brings a swell of incomparable joy to us,” he addressed the audience. “It was a difficult period that we all experienced in our own way, but we are thankful to Divine Providence for keeping us steadfast, resilient, and standing today… I join all the men and women who work with The Manila Hotel in thanking you—our treasured friends and guests—for your patronage. As we celebrate our 110th Anniversary, we pledge to continue serving you and making you feel at home in every way we can.”
As the night drew to an end, The Manila Hotel President Atty. Joey Lina also delivered a heartfelt message of gratitude. The hotel has gone through so many challenges in the past two years—like many other businesses and industries—but he noted that they never walked alone with the grace of God and the unrelenting support of its patrons and partners.
A truly successful and well-attended event, this commemoration of the hotel’s amazing run throughout the years echoed the grandeur of the past but surely left the message that it is here to stay and will continue to serve its guests with its old-world charms, grace, and a welcoming heart.
The Manila Hotel, 110 years strong, is where history lives on.
