Saturday was a rest day, so we decided to go swimming at the private swimming pool of the Rodriguez/Gala Residence. Designed by Arch. Juan Nakpil, this American-era residence was built in the 1930s by Dr. Isidro Rodriguez (a relative of Jun) and Dona Gregoria Gala and its furniture was designed by Gonzalo Puyat.
.jpg) |
| Rodriguez/Gala Residence |
In the 1940s, during the war, its second floor was occupied by Japanese Army officers (the family stayed at the ground floor) and was bombed during the liberation. The first bomb exploded in the front gate, the second blasted a huge, 20-ft. deep hole (from where the big swimming pool was built) and the third, a dud, went through the roof and got stuck in the stair banisters.
 |
||
| Swimming at the Rodriguez/Gala Residence |
Before leaving Sariaya, we decided to take home some of the towns famous mazapan sweets for pasalubong. Sariaya’s other pasalubong options include pinagong apas (turtle-shaped bread), espasol, broas, ube halaya and agit-it and woven buntal and buri products. We also visited the Sina-Una Arts and Antique Shop along the national highway (in front of the public market). Antiques sold here include wood carvings, period furniture, cherubs, aparadors, ceramics, angelitos and santos.
Rodriguez/Gala Residence: 44 Rizal St., Sariaya, Quezon