An Amazing and a little Surreal

Last night we were the guests at the home of Vice President Salvador Laurel. Continue for a detailed but long description.

He was the Vice President of the Philippines (like of the whole country) from 1986-1992 and passed away in 2004. His father was President José P. Laurel, president of the second Philippine Republic from October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945.

So we had dinner at his house with his with his wife CELIA Diaz-Laurel, who was probably in her seventies and their 6 remaining children, and their families. Sunday evening they all come together in the main home of their family compound (seven homes) and have family dinner.

They didn't know what we liked so they served us a variety of food including Appetisers: Cheese, peanuts, melon, homemade apple juice, and cheese roll ups. and Dinner. First course: Tomato Bisque Soup, 2nd course: lasagna, tacos, fish, fruit salad, roasted potatoes. Dessert: Lychee, jello, Ube cake, and another yellow cake So amazing.

It was one of those experiences where I was glad I had gone to those etiquette dinners at the law school and that I wish I had been there with just Devin and not my unruly two year old. I think we made an ok impression considering they invited us back, invited us to stay in their "cottage" in Bagiuo when we leave for Devin's Mission areas this week, and to tell any military personnel that we were personal friends of the Laurel family if we had any problems.

We arrived at dinner at 5:30- we were supposed to be there at 6pm, but church got out at 5pm and we left thinking we would hit traffic, which we didn't we even remember our manners and bought flowers to bring to their family (I know on Sunday, but we didn't think they would keep if we got them on Sunday). So when we got their Lawrence (Larry) our specific host was not quite their so we waited in the guards office for a few minutes. Then we talked to him for over on hour, the mother was at church with one of the sons, who happens to Sing Opera in theater and for their church.

So the most embarrassing moment of the evening was when I realized shortly after i got their that I had 2 children with poopy diapers and only 1 diaper (totally unprepared), so I had noticed a store that was just across the street and asked if I could run over and pick up some. Larry told me it might be dangerous (ha, he has not seen me handle this country), so he drove us the fifteen feet over to the store so I could buy diapers-yea embarrassing.

So they came around 7ish and then the rest of the family came, they served appetizers in the family room, that was decorated with a chandelier and beautiful crown molding and crystal dishes everywhere. We didn't actually have dinner until almost 9pm, I have 2 children that go to bed at 8pm or earlier. Marianne was asleep on my chest in the baby bjorn and we were trying desperately hard to keep Spencer- who was a cranky two year old from totally having a melt down.

He actually did pretty well. They drove us home at 10:30pm

The whole family was extremely attentive and gracious to us, we felt very honored. Devin's Aunt Roberta -who is Philippina-who this family referred to as dear Ro-Ro worked with the Father during his campaign when she was here studying Political Science. Wow, thanks wow for an incredible evening.

The Dinning room

Apettisers: Spencer trying to dig a hole in the cheese
Celia- their were pictures of her with Mother Teresa on their mantel, and a picture of her husband with a private audience with the Pope.
Devin plying guitar with Larry before the family came
In the VP's amazing office where they would have polital meetings
Family Shot with Larry and his daughter Faith. Below is a video of the Opera singing brother and his brothers entertaining us.

Spencer on their grand piano trying to entertain us as well, sorry it is so dark.