How The Peninsula Manila became a haven for the stories of the Filipino people

MANILA, Philippines – Through the years, The Peninsula Manila in Makati has become more than just a hotel. It has witnessed Manila’s celebrations, sorrows, and milestones. 

From glamorous weddings in the Rigodon Ballroom to quiet afternoons over tea in the resplendent lobby, “Manila Pen,” as Filipinos call it, holds a special place in the hearts of many.

The hotel, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026, has more than 300 rooms, and hosts feasts and buffets in its various dining rooms such as Old Manila, The Lobby, Spices, and Escolta. 

The Peninsula Manila’s The Bar was included in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2019 list of best hotel bars. The list praised its interiors, checkered flooring, and wood walls, as well as its pica-pica like the pork sisig croquetas and the Sriracha butter duck wings, and its Batangas Old Fashioned cocktail.

Back then, it was the only Philippine bar to make it to the 2019 list.

The hotel has not only witnessed celebrations but political upheavals as well. In 2007, an armored military vehicle stormed the hotel’s lobby during a siege and left bullet holes that are now framed by an artistic copper sculpture. During the “Manila Pen siege,” a group of soldiers, including then-senator Antonio Trillanes IV and Brigadier General Danilo Lim, took over the hotel as they demanded the ouster of then-president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The hotel itself has served as the backdrop for several pop culture moments across generations. During the countdown to the new millennium in 2000, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez performed her rendition of “Written in the Sands” along with 200 children on the roof of The Peninsula Manila. 

Play Video

But it’s the hotel’s iconic double-winged Brutalist architecture that makes it a touted Manila landmark. It’s located at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenue, and families and travelers alike head to take photos with the quintuple-height Christmas tree or simply soak in its timeless elegance.

Its sprawling fountain display has become a cultural emblem in itself — so much so that it was even featured in anime film Detective Conan: Black Iron Submarine in 2023.

Condé Nast Traveler recognized these qualities when it included The Peninsula Manila in its 2026 “Gold List” of the best hotels and resorts, highlighting its luxurious rooms, afternoon tea, and exceptional service. It was the only Metro Manila hotel to be included in the list, and stands alongside Siargao’s Nay Palad Hideaway as of the only two Filipino hotels to be named. 

“I feel like The Peninsula Manila belongs to my family…. Almost every Manileño I know has a story to tell about Manila Pen. Travelers are welcome too, of course…. Perhaps, what I feel is that I belong only to Manila Pen,” writes Matt Ortile in his review for Condé Nast Traveler.

The Peninsula Manila continues to combine history, luxury, and personal stories, making it a place where both visitors and locals can create memories that last a lifetime. – with reports from Alfon Cabanilla/Rappler.com

Alfon Cabanilla is a Rappler intern studying AB Communication at the Ateneo de Manila University.