Daily Tribune (Philippines)

Say goodbye to Sofitel

Four days from now, a stalwart of the Manila skyline is saying goodbye to its old habitues.

The Sofitel Philippine Plaza, nestled along the shores of Manila Bay, is set to close its doors on 1 July, citing security concerns. The hotel, a testament to opulence and grandeur, holds a special place in Manila’s history, having been one of 12 luxury hotels commission­ed during the tenure of President Marcos Sr. to accommodat­e the prestigiou­s Internatio­nal Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings in 1976.

For five glorious decades, the 600-room haven has stood as a beacon of luxury and a bastion of French-inspired opulence amidst the hustle and bustle of the Philippine­s. It’s seen the rise and fall of government­s, weathered typhoons, and hosted a veritable who’s who of society’s elite.

Who could forget Siete Pecados, the go to place for live bands with its contempora­ry music and vibrant night life? Or the Spiral, its flagship restaurant which got its name from its iconic spiral staircase and featured a stunning 21-foot bronze masterpiec­e by Filipino National Artist Eduardo Castrillo? Then, there’s La Veranda, a glass-enclosed Parisianst­yle bar reminiscen­t of 1930s Paris.

And now, as the sun sets on its illustriou­s reign, it’s time to bid adieu to this grand dame of hospitalit­y.

Since its opening in the 1970s, Sofitel has been the place to see and be seen. Its grand lobby, with its soaring ceilings and glistening chandelier­s, has witnessed everything from high-powered business deals to extravagan­t wedding celebratio­ns.

And who could forget the legendary Spiral buffet? A culinary playground where the sheer variety of dishes made you question whether gluttony was, in fact, a sin. It was a place where you could indulge in foie gras one minute and sushi the next, all while pretending you had any idea what half the cheeses were called.

But beyond the glitz and glamour, Sofitel was more than just a hotel— it was an institutio­n. It was where countless memories were made, where weary travelers found solace, and where locals flocked for a taste of the high life. The rooms, with their plush beds and luxurious amenities, were a haven of comfort. The poolside, with its stunning views of Manila Bay, was an oasis in the urban jungle.

However, like all good things, Sofitel’s time has come. And let’s be honest, it’s not entirely surprising. Fifty years is a long time in the hospitalit­y industry, and the competitio­n has gotten fiercer. Newer, shinier hotels have sprung up, each trying to outdo the other with their Instagram-worthy aesthetics and millennial-friendly vibes.

It didn’t help that the last few years have been particular­ly rough on the hospitalit­y sector. The Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on travel and tourism, and even the mightiest of hotels felt the pinch. The Sofitel was no exception. The once-bustling lobby grew eerily quiet, and the famed Spiral buffet, once teeming with hungry patrons, saw fewer and fewer diners. It was like watching a grand old ship slowly take on water.

But let’s not dwell on the somber. Instead, let’s celebrate the legacy of Hotel Sofitel. This was a place where history was made. Heads of state, celebritie­s, and dignitarie­s walked its halls. Lavish parties and glittering galas were held in its ballrooms. It was a backdrop for countless stories, some of which are probably best left untold.

As Sofitel prepares to close its doors for the final time, one can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. Yes, there will be other hotels. Yes, there will be other places to get our fix of five-star luxury. But there will never be another Sofitel. It’s like saying goodbye to an old friend — one who’s seen you at your best, your worst, and everything in between.

So, here’s to Hotel Sofitel. To the grand entrance that made you feel like royalty. To the decadent feasts that made you forget about your diet. To the sunset views that took your breath away. To the memories — both the ones we cherish and the ones we laugh about now.

And while it’s sad to see it go, we can take comfort in the fact that its legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of those who experience­d its magic. Bon voyage, Sofitel. Thanks for the memories. You will be missed.

Coast Guard using water cannons and other aggressive tactics against Philippine vessels. The latest incident showed CCG vessels ramming the Philippine rubber boats before boarding them, armed with bolos and knives. They then punched holes in the inflatable vessels and confiscate­d several firearms in an act described by the military as barbaric and akin to piracy.

Such actions, if unprovoked, suggest a deliberate attempt to disrupt the resupply missions. The context of prior incidents in the South China Sea, where China has repeatedly engaged in similar behavior against other claimants, further supports the interpreta­tion of a deliberate strategy rather than an isolated misunderst­anding.

The question now begging to be answered is whether the incident was an armed attack that should warrant the invocation of the Philippine­s’ mutual defense treaty with the United States. Under the Mutual Defense Treaty, an attack on one nation is considered an attack on the other who must come to its aid.

Despite the gravity of the situation, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the incident could not be classified as

“an armed attack because by internatio­nal definition, it is the use of military force, an excessive use of force, that would trigger a collective self defense.”

Although many would not agree, it is probably best to leave it at that. The incident at Ayungin Shoal must be understood within the larger geopolitic­al context in the South China Sea, considerin­g it is vital to internatio­nal shipping. China’s aggressive posturing, we would like to believe, is part of its broader strategy to assert control over the disputed waterway by challengin­g the territoria­l claims of several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippine­s.

In so doing, China could be tripping on its own feet. The world has now seen how it has violated numerous internatio­nal and domestic laws, including the use of illegal force and the violation of convention­s on collisions at sea and the safety of life at sea.

While seeking to avoid a direct confrontat­ion with China, the Philippine­s has strengthen­ed its alliances with like-minded nations, notably the United States, which has expressed support for the country’s sovereignt­y and called for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

The Philippine­s now faces the difficult task of defending its territoria­l integrity while navigating complex internatio­nal relationsh­ips, a challenge that requires a careful balancing act.

“Since its opening in the 1970s, Sofitel has been the place to see and be seen. Its grand lobby, with its soaring ceilings and glistening chandelier­s, has witnessed everything from highpowere­d business deals to extravagan­t wedding celebratio­ns.

“This

was a place where history was made. Heads of state, celebritie­s, and dignitarie­s walked its halls. Lavish parties and glittering galas were held in its ballrooms.

“Teodoro’s stance was rooted in a legalistic and defensive posture, emphasizin­g the Philippine­s’ sovereignt­y and the need to uphold internatio­nal maritime law, specifical­ly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.