Manila Pen's Aesthetics

On another note, but still on Manila Pen, this hotel has always been a favorite, because among other reasons, it has always been visually appealing. Has it lost its luster?

The lobby now has faux palm trees, possibly to give it a tropical feel (no they do not lie on their side even if the picture may suggest they do). This is strange. When I view the picture in my folder, it is right side up. But when uploaded, the tree is on its side. Why oh why?






The identical tapestries on opposite walls are impressive in that despite their size, they look like they were done using yarn and a needle. Machine made? They don't appear so, but I may be wrong. Reminds me of a project I made in grade school. It was of a bird perched atop the branch of a tree. Bought the set containing a net with the design painted on it, color coded; enough yarn, a needle and a frame in Makati Supermarket which was then in Makati (it relocated to Alabang after it was gutted down by a fire. The misnomer reminds me of the Basement Salon in Shang and Power Plant because the two outlets aren't at the basement. anyway...)



Oddly, the tapestry is lying on its side too. Why oh why? Voila! It's right side up below after being rotated on the hard disk.



See the calamansi wrapped in tulle beside the cup/on top of the saucer? How thoughtful. By wrapping the calamansi in tulle, the hotel ensures that the seeds of the citrus would not drop into the bijon. Aesthetic? (oops, I just noticed, the cup and saucer are lying on their sides too. No, the Pen doesn't have gravitational problems. My fault, entirely, You get the drift.)




Another picture shows a bas relief (is that what it's called? I am no art cognoscente, so I may be wrong) that depicts palm trees yet again. In the past I marveled at the intricacy of the design, the effort that went into coming up with it. Sadly, while near it is a gold plated cart for transporting luggage, behind the said cart is a wall with a doorway made of wood. Not exactly Manila Pen standard. But why is it there?



Remember how Trillanes went to Manila Pen after walking out during his trial in a Makati court and how government troops raided the hotel, crashing through its glass doors to frighten Trillanes et al. into surrendering? Soon after that incident, Manila Pen announced it was ready to reopen, which was why I was taken aback when I saw the wooden structure this afternoon. I thought then that they had spruced it back to its old form. Shocked, I therefore asked someone from the hotel why the wooden door and wall and he told me they had to redo what had been hurriedly done then as it was too rough. Also this afternoon, at one point, while waiting for the valet to drive up with the car, I saw the wooden door opento reveal scaffoldings. Yes, behind the door and wall were workers. The area wasn't well lit. What a tight area to work in, how dark and stuffy it must be in there, I worried. Hopefully, not one of the workers is claustrophobic, otherwise, poor him!

And by the way, before we were able to drive up to the entrance earlier, We saw at the foot of the driveway a yellow and black movable gate with wheels that allowed one panel to slide behind another. How unsightly for the Pen. Two security guard were manning it. Initially, we thought the Pen was closed when we saw the thingamajig. I'll try to find a picture of something similar so you'll have an idea.


The effects of the Trillanes incursion appear long-lasting, sadly. When will Pen revert to its past grandeur? (Pity we failed to take a photo of that "gate". we were too shocked to think of taking one, I guess.)