Manila, absent muses and a hotel at the waterfront

Manila is a beautiful foggy trip, transforming as we speak.

Ah the neurosis of nostalgia: we are in a coffee shop at the old Manila Pavilion (went by the name in decades past as Manila Hilton; now called Waterfront Pavilion Hotel and Casino Manila) and hard not to think of the late artist Federico Aguilar Alcuaz holding court — somewhere at the Patisserie, mapping out the features of future muses to be captured on canvas later on in his atelier-residence at the hotel. If not punking some with his ubiquitous Casio recorder, which either got destroyed or lost to the void of non-remembrance. The artist was at the center of a mini-universe, surrounded by moving mindscapes and shifting landscapes of Luneta, Mabini and the Boulevard. Nearby is the recurring, lapping tongue of the Bay. Soon, the man would pass on and legend will take over.

These days, anecdotes and apocryphal stories about the venerable master and Old Manila are still interesting to listen to. The Pavilion in Ermita, Manila has amassed a lot of such tales and more.

“Manila Pavilion has stood tall since its opening in 1968,” says general manager Christopher Park. “The hotel may have carried several names but the warm and exceptional service that it has been known for throughout the years remains the same to this day. It was then known as the Manila Hilton International and recognized as the first five-star hotel with the tallest building in the country. This glorious stature was once home to legendary icons such as Muhammad Ali, the Jackson 5, Matt Monro, and other esteemed personalities.”

Including a future National Artist, yes.

And the hotel, just like the City of Man (dubbed by one lady who loves shoes many, many moons ago), is in the process of transformation. It now bears the Waterfront label — same as its counterparts in Cebu City, Mactan and Davao City.

Park says, “With the completion of our newly-renovated rooms and suites, we look forward to providing guest with even better service and comfort, giving them the best lodging experience that the Waterfront Group has been known for.  Besides the advantage of our ideal location in the center of Manila’s central business district, the Manila Pavilion Hotel is very proud of the comprehensive renovation, which puts us in a different league from other hotels in the vicinity.”

Here’s how the hotel executive details the changes:

 The hotel has recently completed the secondary phase of its renovation program covering 223 upper floor rooms and suites. Aside from its two-category deluxe rooms, executive rooms and premier suites, a new set of exclusive Ambassador Club rooms have been introduced to complement two new presidential suites.

Filipino designer Sonia Santiago Olivares created a design concept using bright room colors and functional furnishings that show a touch of modernism, yet still give the interiors a shimmer of classic elegance. The room themes were developed with two objectives in mind — maximizing guest satisfaction in order to generate repeat bookings, while keeping room maintenance costs to minimum levels.

“The renovation started August of 2012 and the first phase finished by March of 2013,” Park explains. “The work that has to be done in a year or so was accomplished in a span of seven months. With the gravity and intense of work our manpower has undergone, I think they did a good job in finishing ahead of time.”

The hotel has loads to offer — not just the ritualistic wooing of Lady Luck each night.

Park explains, “The Pavilion embodies a refined combination of the past and present elegance, it is set to represent a new benchmark for luxury hotels and casinos in the bay area. It fuses old Filipino elements with contemporary décor.  The design of the hotel’s new rooms and suites exudes a style that creates an intimate atmosphere to captivate one’s senses.”  

He adds that the concept created by Sonia Santiago Olivares is a continuing contemporary adaptation that uses “fresh, clear colors making every space invigorating, welcoming, happy and festive.”

And there are two suites with names ensconced in Philippine history.

“The Aquino and Romulo Suites are ideal destinations for a well-earned getaway,” Park points out. “Both are considered private sanctuary that lets the guest take a peek of the life of a historical icon and pay homage to the heritage of our country. They are both located in a private corner for maximum privacy, with dedicated butler service for all the guests need and pleasure.”

For a gustatory trip around the world (Asian, Continental, European, French, Filipino, and Malaysian), guests can go to Seasons and partake of crepes and dim sum and disarming ambience. The place is aptly lit and well-stacked. For beer, banter and an eyeful of the Indiana Pacers being the beast in the East (NBA TV!), there is Boulvar, the hotel’s sports and music bar. So what if your date regards you lukewarmly in her black blouse and ballet shoes? Just gorge on Paul George’s intergalactic basketball skills and get a Corona or two. And interspersed throughout the wall space of all floors are artworks by Filipino artists who may someday follow the footsteps of Federico Alcuaz into the pantheon of the Nation’s Finest. A buffet of stories to follow.  But, for Park and the rest of the happy crew at the Pavilion, we ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

“We plan to move forward with the second phase of the renovation,” he concludes. “Whatever we’re enjoying right now doesn’t end here. A lot of beautiful transformation is about to come and these are all for the love of serving our guests.”

* * *

The Waterfront Pavilion Hotel and Casino Manila is at United Nations Ave. corner Maria Orosa St. in Manila. For information, visit www.waterfronthotels.com.ph or call 526-1212. Follow @WaterfrontMNL for regular updates.