Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a unique resort in Bagac, Bataan. It features some of the Heritage Houses from several provinces in the Philippines. Most of these houses are of Spanish Colonial themes. The resort also reflects the scenes during Spanish civilization.
We are in a world of modernization nowadays. We now have tall buildings, modern bridges, modern technologies, high-tech gadgets, modern communications, and other computer-operated devices. The evolution of these technologies make us forget what a simple life we have before all of these being available to us. The modernization is to our advantage as well, though there are disadvantages too.
In the Philippines, there are several cities and municipalities that are still having a touch of yesterday. Though there are modern constructions in a place, there are old houses still existing that are ageing decades ago. Some of the old homes are of not in good condition while others are totally okay. In fact, we have the Calle Crisologo in Vigan City now being one of the New 7 Wonder Cities of the World.
Two years ago, I have come across a website that has an ads with a heritage village. I become curious and tries to open the link. It is amazing and I like it. At first I can’t believe how they have come up with such concept. And I can’t figure out how they restore some original houses. I simply think they just build their own replicating some of the famous houses decades ago. I come to know some facts when my friends and I come to the resort in Bagac, Bataan on December 12-13, 2015.
DAY 1 – December 12, 2015
Meong, Larry and I are leaving Manila on the evening of December 12, 2015 bound for Bataan. It is a 3-hr drive passing along NLEX, SCTEX and exit at Dinalupihan then to the main highway going to Mariveles. In Balanga, we take the Mt. Samat route and go straight ahead, several kilometers we reach Bagac. We arrive Bagac at 9:30pm. We go directly to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
Arriving at the gates, the guard asks us if we do have reservations. Unfortunately, there’s no plan for this trip. We just decide quickly and drive afterwards. The guard in “Guardia Civil” costume hands us a small piece of paper with my name on it and my car’s plate number. They write there “WALK-IN”. They further instructs us to drive towards the stone arch and on the left before the arch is the parking area. There are other guards also at post so we may ask questions from them too.
We park the car and go directly to the reception area inside at the compound. Even if it’s a bit dark, the houses at the entrance gate are very visible. The restoration is stunning that you may not think of how aged it was. The reception area is named Casa Mexico. The name was derived from the place where the house came from.
At the reception area, the receptionist on duty attend to us. We are given the tariff and we immediately think it is quite expensive for a stay of not more than 15 hours. However, we don’t have any other options that time and we don’t have an alternative place to stay in Bagac. So at a price of Php 7,500 , we are given the room at Casa San Miguel.
Casa San Miguel is an ancestral house original to San Miguel, Bulacan. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar now own it now and utilizes it as one of their accommodations. However, they improve the rooms making it more comfortable to guests. They have large rooms with proper air-conditioning units, cable connections, telephone lines and a very comfortable bed. They furnish with high-end furnishings and the bathroom is with antique style fixtures (resembling that of the old houses) being an accent to the marbles and granites. Generally, the rooms are comparable to that of a high-end resort quality of furnishings though in the outside, they have the look of a heritage house.
Upon fixing our things in our room, we look for some food to eat. Unfortunately, we need to go out of the resort to check for some open stores in town. We end up eating “lugaw” since we don’t find any open food shop at past 10pm in Bagac. We also buy few cans of beer to finish the night. The management do not allow food and drinks from outside, we simply manage to take it to our room.
In our room, we put the beers inside our fridge and decide to roam around the resort at night. I bring my camera with me to take some photos at night. We don’t have any knowledge on the houses along the way. We just walk along the cobblestone roads inside the resort heading towards the bridge.
The buildings along the way are properly lit and that the lights really add beauty to it. I take several photos on every building including the church at the lagoon. At night, it seems like the Church is already done unfortunately it is not. The lightings on the Church really make it attractive and in fact, it really is a good subject for photography.
We also take photos of the Hotel Oriente. Hotel Oriente is the venue for conventions and other seminars catering huge number of guests. They are also serving the buffet at Hotel Oriente.
The replica of Jones Bridge connecting the two parts of the resort is strategically in place near the Hotel Oriente and the lagoon. When passing through the bridge, you will clearly see the houses surrounding the lagoon and the Church. The Church by the way is also a replica of the Church in Balanga, Bataan.
They really have a good architectural plan for the resort. Aside from the lagoon, they also create some islets at the lagoon. The islets are gracing with several heritage houses coming from different provinces in the Philippines. These houses are for rent on a per house basis though there are some that are on a per room basis. Casa Santa Rita is one of the houses at the islet and they utilize it as a café. The islet uniquely features the stone mosaic being on its pathway at the park.
On the other side of the islet, they create a canal that maybe of resemblance to the canals in Venice. Though some of the houses have natural designs to have canal access that’s why they have to showcase it there.
We really enjoy our night walk at the resort. Of course, we have lots of photos on different angles of the resort. It takes us more than an hour to roam around the place at night and it is already past 12 midnight so we hurriedly walk back to our room for another agenda, the beers. We have some nice talks with our two cans each of beer and we have to call it a day. We plan to wake up early for the sunrise and a swim at the beach before breakfast.
DAY 2 – December 13, 2015
As per our plan, we wake up early but not for the sunrise anymore but for the beach. However, the views of the resort are really spectacular during daytime. We clearly see the beauty of each houses, the beautiful landscape with the cobblestone streets, the trees and other plants inside the resort and even the fountain in front of the Church. I am in awe when I see the bridge during daytime, the calm waters of the lagoon and the beautiful islets surrounding the lagoon. On the contrary, I see the Church’s on going constructions as well, they still have a lot to do a the Church. We can’t help but sneak inside the Church, though they celebrate regular Sunday Mass here too.
At the back of the Church, you may see some on-going constructions like they still have to do more than 50% to eventually finish the structures. Some of the houses from Tawi-tawi are in place there so but we don’t have any idea of when it will open since we don’t see any access to it for now.
During this time, we have a chance of crossing the bridge at daytime. The calm waters at the lagoon brings a serene feeling of the place. They have this mini park at the foot of the bridge thereby having steps towards the river. There are varieties of fishes on the river as well.
We go back to the islet to see it on daytime. The houses are lovely. Oh by the way, this time, aside from my DSLR, I also bring with me my GoPro and take videos while roaming around the resort. There are choreographs done doing the dance steps of one of our friend, Maan. We don’t mind if somebody see us dancing, what’s important to us, we have fun.
The sun is getting hotter and hotter yet we still need to dip at the beach. From the islet, there’s an access bridge connecting the islet and the Estero de Binondo buildings. The Estero buildings are in front of the beach. What a nice location for these structures. Most of the buildings in Estero are original designs of Las Casas.
We don’t have the chance to swim at the beach because we are running out of time for breakfast. They will only serve breakfast until 10am so we just dip our feet at the waters and walk our way to Hotel Oriente.
Near Hotel Oriente, we have a chance of taking photos with the “Guardia Civil”. They are just around to guide guests on their way to the entrance of the Hotel. They utilize the entrance fronting the river. So we need to walk along the side in between Jones Bridge and Hotel Oriente. I am in awe when I see some sculptures at the bridge. They are not visible at night yet they sure add beauty to the bridge during daytime.
We get inside the hotel and to my surprise; they have this grand hallway at the Hotel. They have wood parquets, wooden staircases, a decorated wooden mosaic ceilings and what amazes me most is then majestic wooden mosaic at the walls of the Hotel. I cannot distinguish whose creation is that but what is in my mind, its spectacular!
Not wasting our time and go directly to the entrance of the breakfast area. We give our coupons and look for a vacant table. They have a very good buffet with several food choices too. Aside from some American breakfast goodies, they also serve authentic Filipino dishes such as tinapa and tocino. We enjoy the food. We really have a very good breakfast at the resort. Actually, we eat a lot so we need not eat lunch for the day.
More with our activity, we go directly to the pool where we plan to spend the rest of our time at the resort. Though a bit of a disappointment since the resort is big, yet they have this tiny pool serving all their guests. Given the fact that they have limited number of occupancy, yet they must have to build a larger pool for the resort. Maybe they are thinking that they have a wider beach area to suffice the need. I don’t have any idea and maybe they have any plans of upgrading this kind of amenity. Anyway, we also enjoy our swim. In fact, we almost forgot that we need to checkout at 12noon.
Having lost track of time, though not a bit late, we immediately go back to our room and fix ourselves. We clear everything and carry our things to the car before going back to the reception area to checkout. We plan to leave the resort at 3pm after joining the free guided Heritage Tours that are part of the package of the resort. More of the exciting features of the houses can be read here at the guided Heritage Tours.
Overall, we really enjoy our stay at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. It is in my bucket list and at last, I see it in my very own eyes. Thanks to my supportive friends Meong and Larry for accompanying me here. I would love to comeback and see the new developments and constructions at the resort soon.
Been here: December 12-13, 2015
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Thanks to the great guide