Staying at Silahi's International Hotel

After Benigno Aquino was assassinated on August 21, 1983 tourism took a dive due to instability. I was able to get a round trip flight for about $600 that included seven nights at Silahi's International Hotel - now named "Grand Boulevard Hotel." We stayed on the 10th floor on in a north-facing room, near my head in the second photo. The 19th floor was "Stargazer Disco" - one of the top disco's in Manila at the time. It also had a "Playboy Club." The atmosphere and sound was amazing. Two songs I still recall them playing were "Chaka Kahn - Ain't Nobody" and "Shannon - Let the Music Play." We later read in the news that the night we had gone there a female film star died in drunk driving crash after leaving that night.

During this visit Aurelia's father was in Sacramento. But on the first visit he took us to the Aristocrat restaurant next door - one of his favorites.

Silahi's International Hotel - February 1984

Me in front of the former Silahi's - and Aristocrat Restaurant - September 2007 (23 years later)

In 1984 I walked around the south side of the Roxas building to purchase four oil paintings for $5 each. Here's a photo of the one that I retained.
(I wasn't thinking how I would get them into my luggage on the return flight, but somehow we managed.)

View of Roxas Blvd from 19th floor - Roof of Aristocrat and Shakey's Pizza to the right

View towards Manila from our 10th floor room

Me, Aurelia, cousin Annie and Aunt Nona in our room. Note the "dial" telephone

Aurelia in hotel room

Hotel Pool