In 2000, the hotel's fountain area, fronting the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues, was the scene of Filipino singer Regine Velasquez for her performance of the country's millennial theme Written In The Sand together with 2,000 children,[5] televised in 67 broadcast networks throughout the world to coincide with midnight in Manila for the BBC's millennium special 2000 Today.

Detained Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, General Danilo Lim and other Magdalo officials walked out of their trial and marched through the streets of Makati, called for the ousting of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and seized the second floor of The Peninsula Manila.

Former Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. also joined the march to the hotel, as well as some of the soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The siege was ended after the military stormed the lobby and the second floor where Rizal function room was located and Trillanes was seized.

The lobby of the hotel sustained much damage because of gunfire that rattled through its walls, windows and the main glass door was obliterated by an armored personnel carrier on the assault to serve Trillanes et al. their arrest warrants.