Life then was so good……simply a paradise for nature lovers who has the whole place at their disposal. Men spent overnight camping, game hunting for wild boar and deer or family fishing and beachcombing. The ladies on the other hand, had developed the passion for ground and tree orchids, fern collection along with their backyard flower and vegetable gardens. For the sportsminded, the company has various sporting facilities like bowling alleys, basketball, tennis, pelota and badminton courts. Amenities and modern facilities were readily available to everyone in Mangagoy like the Bislig Inn, Towne & Country Hotel and Restaurant, Castillo’s Family Eleven Restaurant, Morales’ “Above” moviehouse, Comtrust (BPI) Bank, PAL Airport, etc.
Paydays comes bi-weekly after hard days work and it was always like a “fiesta” outside the mill compound. The roast pork “litson” was available in most stalls and can be bought per kilo. Tropical fruits of different varieties like the exotic durian, papaya, banana, etc. were abundant during this time.
Only a handful of department stores were in existence at that time…not much choice for the townfolks to pick on brands, but are more than happy to take what was in-store for them. For those who can afford, they can go shopping at nearby towns and cities like Butuan, Davao and Cebu. Compared to nearby towns and municipalities in Surigao Summers vacations were always fun for most families. Picnics and outings are all over the place like Danipas, Causeway, As early as December 1st., you hear Christmas carols from the kids all over the place. Colorful lights, attractive homemade lanterns and Christmas trees are already up. The bakasyonistas are back again to join their families for the festivities. The most anticipated employee's Christmas bonus (13th. month pay) and gifts for their dependents were the year-end highlights from the Soriano's. That was then………
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