11:00 o'clock at the "White House", Laylay, Boac.
Much to my surprise, the weather changed to sunny now but the waves were still big at Laylay shore. This didn't prevent the beach lovers from taking advantage of the now very nice sunny afternoon.
Flo provided the sound system with his sing-a-long machine. Sonny Magahis Manrique, my niece Marla's husband and Ben's nephew, broke the ice and sang the first song. I wasn't surprised that Sonny can sing, after all he is a "Manrique". Dr. Gaily Gonzales has a beautiful voice too. Maybe she is also related to the famous Bobby Gonzales who popularized the song: "Hahabol-Habol". But the real show was the Jao family performance.
The whoe family got involved in the group singing. Even my buddy Apo joined the group. (I don't hear him sing a note during our drinking parties in Marikina) Led by Ching, they sang the China National Anthem in Chinese. You guys missed it. Now we have a M.I, Inc. Ensemble.
We proceeded to Gasan where Mayor elect Mrs. Vicky Lim hosted the dinner for the missioners.at her palatial house in Bakong-bakong. Dr. Homer Bunag, Udes and I rode with Flo Apeles SUV to Gasan but we first stopped by the matriarchal house of his wife, Agnes nee Lardizabal. Her grandparents pictures were still on the wall, the old piano below it, furnitures, drawers, and things of the past were treasured and the house is taken cared of by a caretaker. Then we proceeded to Bakong-bakong where we encountered two Mayflower parades along the way.
When we entered the walled compound, I was amazed by the beauty of the mansion and its breathtaking location overlooking the "Tres Reyes Island". I found the gracious mayor, accommodating and approachable. |
