Acuňa Mansion: A Gem Hidden in the Middle of Sugarcane fields

Under the scorching heat of the sun, I and my friends found refuge in a small nipa hut situated beside a
large fish pond. We were taking a break from our long walks and paused to just enjoy the midday
breeze. 
An old man also decided to make a stop. He was in his 70s. Thinking that probably he was someone from
the area, I asked him questions. He was an Obrero. He first wiped his sweat before he could even utter a
word. He said he also took a long-familiar walk.
While we were having a chat, an enormous tree from behind caught my attention. I asked him, “Tiyoy,
ano na to ya ho?” (Sir, what is that over there?)
“Ah, dira. Dira nayon ang dako balay.” (Daku balay – the big house)
Memories flashbacked. It was the house that we were once given a chance to visit.
The Acuňa Mansion – a gem hiding inside endless stretches of sugarcane fields. The Mansion is a family
home for decades past. Now, it has its share of stories and secrets.
More than the scenic view, it’s the heritage that it contains that fascinates me.
A grandiose façade will welcome you to a rich collection of memories, tracing the family’s history. Its
interiors are where the clan’s memorabilia are displayed. You’ll find books and luggage, all used by the
family in the past years.
The long dining table also caught my attention. This has probably hosted many family gatherings,
welcomed visitors from here and there, and had been a witness to many conversations. The wooden
furniture brings intimacy to this Spanish-Style dining area and is matched to the cushioned chairs
surrounding it. The golden chandeliers hanging over the area mediates the fusion of modern and
Spanish styles harmoniously. The size of the dining room is compensated with doors that lead outside.
As you walk through the stairs, mangoes and greeneries will satisfy your eyes as you look outdoors. With
a fountain in the center, you’d stop and think that you are in a movie.
Beside the Mansion is a chapel where the family would celebrate the mass every December, as part of
their holiday gatherings, as this is also the perfect time for reunions. This is not just a usual chapel
because this is where the remains of their beloved nanny lie. This tells that everyone is treated like
family in the house of the Acuňas and ‘obreros’, the workers in the hacienda, are treated fairly.
Truly, the ‘daku balay’, as what it is called by the people in the Hacienda Pag-asa, Brgy. Luna, Cadiz City
is a hidden gem, a home rich with stories from the past and a place where the future generations can
look back to for good memories from history.