We knew summer was ending—not by the weather, but by the craving for one last halo-halo. And when it comes to timeless treats in an equally timeless setting, The Peninsula Manila is always worth returning to.
A Classic Summer Ritual in the City
Outside, Makati simmered in the last heat of May. But stepping into The Lobby at The Pen was like entering a calm, air-conditioned memory. Golden light streamed through tall windows. Soft music from The Peninsula Strings floated in the background. The grand piano stood quietly by, and above it, the iconic Sunburst sculpture by National Artist Napoleon Abueva cast its steady glow.
Like a sun frozen mid-radiance, the Sunburst seems to shine over the Lobby no matter the time of day—a symbol of The Pen’s enduring elegance.
The Last Grand Hotel
Opened in 1976, The Peninsula Manila is the last of Makati’s grand old hotels still standing. Its peers—the Intercon, Mandarin, and Hyatt—have all faded into memory. Yet here, the chandeliers still sparkle, the staircase still sweeps, and the Lobby remains a gathering place for afternoon tea, quiet reunions, and the occasional dessert pilgrimage.
Why Halo-Halo Is a Filipino Summer Essential
There’s no Filipino summer without halo-halo. This colorful shaved ice dessert, whose name means “mix-mix” in Tagalog, is a beloved way to cool down. It’s a layered treat of sweet preserves like macapuno, saba bananas, jackfruit, and ube, topped with evaporated milk, leche flan, and a scoop of ice cream—all served over finely shaved ice.
It’s not just refreshing. It’s nostalgic, celebratory, and deeply Filipino.
What Makes The Pen’s Halo-Halo So Memorable
The halo-halo at The Peninsula has become something of a Manila classic. Served in a tall, elegant footed glass, it arrives perfectly chilled and generously layered. You get the silky leche flan, chewy macapuno, and deeply purple house-made ube halaya that sets it apart.
Even Time magazine once called it “the best legal high in Asia.”
Everything is done with care—and without shortcuts. Even the spoons are silver. It’s a dessert that invites you to slow down and savor.
Afternoon Tea at The Lobby
And suddenly midway with our halo halo, the rain began to tap on the glass, we lingered a little longer. Summer indeed is ending and it suddenly felt like a tea set kind of day.
The Peninsula’s Classic Afternoon Tea—served daily from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM—has been a fixture here since the beginning. Freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves, tea sandwiches, quiches, and pastries—all laid out with quiet precision. We chose the bourbon vanilla tea; its scent drifted across the table before the pot was even set down.
We joked, raised pinkies, and talked like characters in a period film. The conversation drifted to all the stories this lobby might hold—celebrities, dignitaries, visiting royals. Someone swore they once spotted Mariah Carey. Someone else mentioned a wedding with a president slipping in quietly, no entourage. You get the sense that if these walls could talk, they’d never stop.
Across the room, a table of women in linen traded their own stories over tea. The whole scene—crisp uniforms, soft clinks of china, golden light—felt like a play you didn’t know you were part of.
A Place That Endures
There was a time when The Lobby stayed open into the early hours, drawing jazz musicians, night owls, and after-hours diners. These days, it winds down at midnight. But the atmosphere remains intact—quiet, composed, gently grand.
This space has seen real drama, too. During the EDSA Revolution, tanks once rolled past Ayala Avenue. Through everything, The Pen has endured.
A Ritual Worth Returning To
We stepped out just as the light began to fade. The halo-halo was long gone. The teapot was empty. But we felt full in a way that’s hard to name.
Maybe it was the grace of it all. The way The Peninsula Manila offers pause and stillness in a city that rarely stops moving. Some rituals deserve a little ceremony—a final halo-halo, a shared laugh, a golden afternoon.
And when it comes to marking those moments, there’s still no place quite like The Pen.
The Peninsula Manila
Corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues
Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel: +63 (2) 8887 2888
Email: diningpmn@peninsula.com
Website: www.peninsula.com/Manila
Afternoon Tea is served daily from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM at The Lobby. Reservations are recommended.
