Walking into the lobby of The Manila Peninsula is a grand experience enough, but imagine walking in with a party in full swing—live music from a band floating down from the mezzanine balcony, a room full of people in their black-tie best, champagne being served on silver trays and the most divine spread that included caviar, wagyu beef tartare and lobster. "We may not be the trendiest but we certainly know how to throw a good party," quipped Mariano Garchitorena, The Peninsula Manila's director of public relations. The whole place was alive with celebration that night. "There's a different party in every room tonight," The Peninsula Manila's General Manager Mark Choon told me as he and his wife Jennifer were sauntering over to spices from the main lobby. "We've planned festivities even up to the pool area," he added, encouraging us to wander through the venue.
The Peninsula Manila has always been the picture of old world glamour. Walking up either of its grand marble staircases is already a fashion moment all its own. (You only need to revisit our May 2016 cover shoot with Georgina Wilson to feel the romance of their other spaces like The Conservatory and The Peninsula Suite.) So here are our favorite fashion looks from the grand celebration of the hotel's 40th anniversary.
Kylie Versoza in Francis Libiran
Daphne Paez in K & Company
The Peninsula Manila General Manager Mark Choon with his wife Jennifer
Andrej Wisniewski and Myrza Sison
Jojie Lloren, Janina Dizon, Joey Samson, and Ivar Aseron
Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Dennis Valdes
Juana Yupangco in Hannah Kong
Stacy Rodriguez
Luis Romero Ablaza III
Cop their looks to your next formal gala!
Official images courtesy of The Peninsula Manila