How many people appreciate our history? Few Filipinos know that the month of October is Social Studies Month. We also celebrated “Linggo ng Kasaysayan” or History Week three weeks ago last month, but we hardly noticed any observance of the event. During my time as a teacher, we valued our historical and cultural heritage distinctly and we made sure they were inculcated in the young minds of students as much as possible. Aside from social studies and history lessons, folk dances of each town were researched, taught and propagated. Feast days of patron saints and fiesta celebrations that go with them are taught and other historical activities that focused on the unique culture and tradition of each barrio in the country were encouraged. My research on fiestas is based on my belief that the more one goes back to his beginnings, the better he is situated in the universal world.
Aside from these local social events, what can nurture our love for history and tradition are historical relics and landmarks. The City of Manila brings back poignant memories for Filipinos across all ages. I have always praised the efforts of past and present leaders to promote the city’s cultural heritage. Lately, I have read of Mayor Lim’s plan to push the restoration to its former glory of the Manila Metropolitan Theater, which used to showcase stage plays and Filipino zarzuelas. Former Manila Mayor Lito Atienza also made sure he did his share in preserving the cultural heritage of the past by showcasing cultural dances and preserving historical landmarks in the city.
One of the historical sites located along Manila’s main boulevard known to have a proud Filipino heritage is the Manila Hotel. Established in 1912, the hotel was such a favorite of General Douglas MacArthur that he lived there for seven years and made it his command post during World War II. He even served as chairman of the hotel’s board of directors prompting some cynics to note that his famous vow, “I shall return”, proclaimed during the Japanese occupation, meant that he intended to reclaim his suite in the Manila Hotel. The hotel was built as part of a city plan executed by Daniel Hudson Burnham, a famous architect who also designed Union Station and the post office in Washington, USA. The hotel itself was designed by William E. Parsons, a New York architect hired by then US President William Howard Taft. It was acquired by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) in 1961. In 1976, it was restored and expanded to 570 rooms. Until the time of former President Marcos, pine trees were flown every year from Washington State to help make Christmas seasons in the hotel memorable.
Considered as a historic relic, the hotel has hosted many important events in the past. Some of its guests were prominent statesmen and members of the royalty, i.e. the Duke of Windsor, who visited in the 70s had a favorite wicker chair that is part of the standard furnishings. German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, famous rock star Michael Jackson, Sammy Davis, Jr., four United States Presidents and a host of world leaders have stayed in the historic hotel.
It’s a pity that many commentators and foreign correspondents who had been hotel guests in the past are of the opinion that Manila Hotel has now lost its pride and glory. It can be remembered that in 1992, former President FVR centered his government program on economic liberalization and privatization. He was then selling government assets, and unfortunately, one of these was the Manila Hotel. Many investors were attracted to invest in such a hotel that was known to be one of the best in Asia. The Malaysian firm, Renong Overseas Berhad bought 51% of the hotel ownership in 1995, with a cash out of $25.6 million. But in a highly criticized decision that has gotten then Supreme Court Justice Andres P. Narvasa in a bad light, the sale was voided and GSIS was ordered to award the sale in 1997 to Manila Prince Hotel, owned by Manila Bulletin publisher, Emilio Yap, based on his claimed “Filipino First” policy and the justices’ ruling that Manila Hotel was part of the nation’s patrimony.
As far as I remember, this is the last big news about the historic hotel. After this, many are not aware that to date, Manila Hotel is in debt with the GSIS, consisting of P200 million in unpaid loans that has reached P8 billion to date including interests and penalties on non-payment since 1995. The hotel also owes GSIS unpaid rentals in the amount of P285.3 million to date.
The Manila Hotel has written a fine history and my hope is that this will even improve in our times when hotels are built for convenience and comfort minus the grandeur and glory that Manila Hotel has always been known for. In the whole of Asia, I don’t know of any hotel with such a historical background. We hope its present owner will honor this heritage not only because he was “allowed” to own it, where before, it was part of the pensioners’ fund, but because history should be preserved well.
It’s never too late to right a wrong.