Road Trip: Lanuza (Part 4)

Because we were short of daylight, we weren't able to see the Lanuza Marine Park and Fish Sanctuary, however, our gracious hosts, Mayor Geri and his wife, Joy, invited us over for dinner at the View Deck.  Just our group and the couple, along with their little daughter, and our guide, Hannah.  Fare was simple -- native chicken tinola, kinilaw, steamed shrimps, steamed crabs, grilled bangus, boiled shell, and for dessert, their delicacy, gabi embotido... Everything was fresh and delicious.  Afterwards, drinks were brought out and talk turned to shop (plans to turn Lanuza into a tourist destination for both surfers and non-surfers - more later).

The next day, January 4, dawned bright and hot, and we got ready to leave.  To say we had heavy hearts was an understatement and Joey, especially, was trying to get as much time on the waves as he could.  Hannah and the other municipal guides came by to bring us to the White House.  Before I go into its description, let me explain something first.  Mayor Geri's family was one of the oldest in Lanuza and his mother had been the previous mayor for 9 consecutive years.  He, in turn, has been the mayor for 15 years -- two terms the first time, then now on his third term the second time.  Talk about doing a good job!  Anyway, so we were going to visit the White House, which turns out to be the ancestral home of Mayor Geri.  In fact, his great-aunts still live there and maintain it.  Many of the bric-a-brac and Filipino clothing had been arranged in glass cabinets to protect them from dust and weathering.  All the original rooms were clean and showed signs of loving care.  All their old-fashioned appliances (flat iron, rice and coffee grinders, lanterns, etc.) were grouped together in an attractive display and meticulously cleaned daily.  Wow!

It was after the tour of the house, as we were enjoying the snacks the Aunts served us, that they convinced us (as if we needed convincing) to stay one more day.  There was still so much for us to see, sayang lang daw because we were already there.  Predictably, as soon as Joey heard the news, he changed clothes and disappeared in the direction of the ocean.  =)