Checked-out from Staylite Suites at exactly 6:00 A.M., so we are back on the road. Went to look for a local place to eat, but we ended up eating in a fastfood because most of the local restaurants open not until 8:00 A.M.
Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House is located along the National Highway in Brgy. Buruan, Iligan City. It is about 15-20 minutes ride from the city center. When we got there, the place is still closed because it opens to visitors at 8:00 A.M. But then a sweet talking can help a lot, got down from Hot Daniel, and asked Kuya Guard if we can enter because we still need to go home to South Cotabato in the afternoon. Kuya Guard was so nice that he said yes to my request, he also act as our tour guide.
The Macaraeg-Macapagal Ancestral House is the house of Pres. Gloria Macapagal's mother. The house has been a home to an 11 years old Gloria, where she enjoyed a very modest and simple childhood. Kuya Guard pointed out that the river behind the house was the same river that the young GMA used to bathed in. There is a swing under the mango tree where a statue of Pres. Diodado Macapagal and the young Pres. Gloria Arroyo stands. Infront of the house is a playhouse of Gloria.
The chance to explore this ancestral house opens my eye to a childhood of a leader and woman who showed strength to lead a country.
In addition, they also allow guest who wants to stay for night. The house next door, that was supposed to be used as an office of then President GMA in Iligan City was converted into a dormitory. There is no entrance fee but a donation is very much welcome. Which I highly encourage that we must do, in order to help maintain the place.
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