Lantaka

Every city has its gem. A place that echoes the beauty of its past that lives through ravages of time. Like an Almadovar movie, each time you see these places you find something new to marvel about. A piece of ceiling mount. An ornate wall divider. Etchings on a glass door. Comfort room signs. A brass sarimanok. An 1867 canon from Seville Spain.

The hotel is situated on a grey beach a stone throw from the new pier. The entrance is an ornate green tavern roof that abuts into the street like English pubs. As you turn right, the front desk is a study in ornate 1960's decor with wooden carvings, silver plates and mother of pearl inlaid on wood. The walls abound with paintings of local artists. A favorite is a colorful seemingly abstract painting with swirls of yellow, red and blue. If you look intently or take a picture with a camera you will see that it is actually a rendition of a mother and child. Huge carved wood are set on corners arranged with anthurium and green tall cogon grass as floral motif. Capiz chandeliers and lamps hang on water logged white ceilings with dark brown brackets and mounts. The lounge opens to a view of the sea and on clear days, the Sta. Cruz islands and Basilan.

It has character and it is one of the reasons it is still running today. One see beyond the old table linens and curtains that have not been changed since visitors came there as far as ten years ago. One of the visitors remarked that she was afraid of using the towels beacuse they might rent when she dry her hands. The rooms are musty with dust mites and the bathrooms have stains that must have been there for ages.

In its glory days I was told, it was one of the best places in the city. That is evident in the furnishing that echoes the opulence of the era. I am afraid that in remodelling the place, it will loose its soul. I hope that if the management does make changes it will keep in mind the essence of Lantaka.