Historical Bataan: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Thank you for hopping over. We’re here, at last, after the chest-thumping experience during the ascent to Mt. Samat! Curious to know about it? Click here to get a glimpse of our side trip there. But make sure you get back here! Go ahead, will wait for you right here. 

Oh, great, you’re back! Now, come along with us. But I warn you, this is going to take us more than a day! You better get ready! 

Guard: "Okay na po, cleared."

At the entrance, guards in blue uniform welcomed us by doing a routine security check of the van and ushered us towards Casa New Manila where all visitors and tourists are welcomed and entertained for accommodation. 


Casa New Manila

Casa New Manila originally stood in Balete Drive (at the boundary of five streets: E. Rodriguez Avenue, Balete Drive, Campanilla, Sampaguita and Ilang Ilang Streets) for almost 90 years since 1926. This house was popular. In fact, it was often used as shooting site for local TV shows and movies. 

The vicinity map of Las Casas 

Welcome to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar! Pride in the past. Hope for the future. True to what they say, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (meaning "Philippine Houses of Acuzar") is an open-air museum, a heritage park and a resort covering 400 hectares of land in Bagac, Bataan. It is considered as the very first Heritage Resort by the Sea showcasing heritage houses from different parts of the Philippines. By the way, Acuzar is the surname of the owner of Las Casas. 

Plaza Vergara

This structure at Plaza Vergara welcomes all the visitors of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. We managed to take photos before proceeding inside Casa New Manila.

Here's another angle of the same structure with my husband blocking my view. Oooopppsss... let me change my perspective. Let me just say, I'm photographing the photographer, as I always do.

At Casa New Manila Reception desk, friendly and approachable staff gave us an orientation on the place, its main attractions, tips on how to go around to enjoy our stay and willingly answered all our questions before checking in.

This piece of paper is a handy reference and reminder. 

Our stomach churned so we didn’t have much time to scout for a place where to take our lunch. Cafe Marivent, a dining area at the upper level of Casa New Manila, offered a very strategic and convenient place where a variety of sumptuous meals are served.

While enjoying our lunch at Cafe Marivent, we had a good view of Sanctuario de San Jose, Parque de Manila and Estero de Binondo across Umagol River. We lingered here for a while after lunch while waiting for our assigned casa to be available. 

The place has a wide parking space where vehicles can park as tourists are not allowed to use their private vehicles inside Las Casas. All visitors may avail of the hop-on hop-off jeepney shuttle for free to go around the vicinity.

Of course, we took a jeepney ride from Casa New Manila to where our casa was located.

I took this video during the jeepney ride

It was unfortunate that we visited this place on a rainy season. We timed our out-of-town trip in celebration of Ana Cristina's birthday. That explains this expedition in the month of July. We could have taken better photos had we gone there during summer, which is the best time for a Las Casas tour. But see if you will like the photos I will feature in this post - - -casas and places we actually visited which I will describe.

Passed by the Las Casas beach overlooking the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)
Did you see the waves on video?

We were warned against swimming in the beach and engaging in water sports and games 

because of the strong winds and rain.

We got off at the Y-Bridge, connecting Accesoria (the precursor to apartments, lodging houses and today’s condominiums) from La Puesta del Sol and Plaza Francisco where Casa Balanga is located. 

Then we walked towards Casa Balanga, our casa of abode for the night. 

That’s my family walking along the Y-bridge going to Casa Balanga.

From left to right: Ana Cristina (Tin), Billy (my hubby) and Ayana Grace (Yan)

Going nearer and nearer...

From the Y-bridge, we arrived at Plaza Francisco where Casa Balanga was located.

This is Plaza Francisco with Accesoria 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the left 

Casa Gapan and Casa Balanga on the right and 
Casa Irosin at the far end

Before reaching Casa Balanga, one will see this garden canopy separating Casa Gapan from Casa Balanga. I always stared at this canopy on our way to Casa Balanga because I loved looking at the trellis.

Garden Canopy separating Gasa Gapan from Casa Balanga

Panoramic view of Plaza Francisco (Casa Gapan is the first casa on the right)

Casa Gapan, the first casa one sees immediately on the right from the Y-bridge at the Plaza Francisco Complex, is a house saved because "sobriety won over a shattered dream". Planned and built by Hospicio Garcia, an architect designing houses, for his daughter, Henoveva who was a UP Pharmacy student. One of the windows of the house was meant to be a store in front to sell medicines. But when Henoveva eloped with an American, enraged Hospicio meant to burn the house were it not for his brother-in-law who intervened. The following day, Hospicio changed his mind about destroying the house.  

Well, I’ve said this before in one of my previous posts, but I say this again. As a student, I’ve never liked history and all the memorization of dates it required. As my daughters would always say, so I do now, “ewwww!” The Spanish environment around makes my history books resurface in my mind. 

Now here I am, facing historic houses. Beautiful sight! I see and feel the Spanish era. Wait, is “beautiful” an understatement? Let me ask hubby for a better term. I couldn’t think of another word right now. Grand heritage houses. Women in long dresses. Braided hair. I imagine them all now. It’s like going back in time. 

Accesoria 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the left

Now it's time to go to our casa. Casa Balanga is located within the Plaza Francisco Complex. Where I'm standing in the photo below is the entrance to Casa Balanga. This is where we spent the night. This casa was built by Manuel and Teofila Banzon in the 1920s. Sequestered by the Japanese during the war and used as kempetai Headquarters. It was redeemed only when the couple’s son who was a doctor turned the house into a clinic. 

Ayana, hubby and me before going up to our rooms

Let me show you around the casa. 

This photo was taken on the last step of the staircase upon reaching the top.

This painting on the wall will welcome you.

Another wall painting at the common dining table just outside the two rooms of the casa.

The common dining room

The ceiling light bulb up close

There are two rooms in Casa Balanga that are open for accommodation. 

We were asked for our preference prior to booking. 

Hubby specified a casa overlooking the river 

with a nice view of Las Casas especially at night. 

True enough, Casa Balanga offered such view - - - a panorama of 

Umagol River with Estero de Binondo on the left and Sanctuario de San Jose on the right. 

Below, hubby and me posing inside our room 
after checking in. 

Coffee time!

After taking a few minutes of rest, hubby signaled for us to go out. 

Come on now, we shouldn’t be wasting our time inside. 

Ok, ok, ok, just making sure our power banks are fully charged. 

Here we go! 

We took another jeepney ride to Casa Binan where we inquired about the Heritage Tour that starts from there. We planned to join the heritage tour scheduled at 8:30 in the morning it is considered the highlight event at Las Casas.

Casa Binan

The original Casa Binan (Alberto House) is a two-storey house originally built by Gregorio Alonzo in the 16th century in front of Binan Plaza in Laguna. This casa is a reconstruction of the house of Rizal's mother, Teodora Alonso, from its original site in Binan. 

The Reception Area at Casa Binan

From Casa Binan we just walked a little to the Sanctuario de San Jose.

Panoramic view of the park fronting Sanctuario de San Jose. 

 

The Sanctuario de San Jose

Was it obvious that I took quite a number of photos of the Sanctuario? Well, this is a replica of the  church we visited in the city of Balanga earlier which is featured in my post on Mt. Samat. St. Joseph Church. If you read that post, do you remember? If not, would you like to take a second look now? You may click here. But please be back. Will wait right here, promise. 

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Oh, there you are! Glad to see you back 😀

Now, are you convinced that this is a replica of Balanga's St. Joseph Church?

 Perfect shot of the replica taken from my Instagram account

Hubby and me posing at the statue in front of the Sanctuario.

Obviously, we spent some time for photo ops at the park.

Here's a panoramic view of the Sanctuario on the right of Umagol River with Hotel de Oriente on the left and Estero de Binondo at the far end.

Of course, I had to have my me-photo, too, before moving on.
Mahangin sa labas (It was really windy outside!), yes, it really was!

From the Sanctuario, one can see Casa Maranao.

Casa Maranao

Casa Maranao is the only pre-colonial house in Las Casas. It exemplifies an indigenous architecture, being torogan in structure, named after its owner, Torogan I Sabino Lakowa, meaning, datu or sultan. 

We walked from the Sanctuario de San Jose Park towards the bridge crossing Umagol River.

I was able to get this panoramic view of the Sanctuario at the center with Estero de Binondo on the left.

Panoramic view from the bridge

Hubby says, “Let me take a photo of you here!”

So, I face his cam. 

“Okay, perfect!” he says. Do you think it's really a perfect shot?
I hate to confess that I like... errr... love it! Mwahhh!!!

That’s Tin, walking ahead... finding a perfect view to capture
and me below, trying to catch up (panting).

Below is a photo of Umagol River and Hotel de Oriente 

Umagol River runs through the expanse of Las Casas
with its end meeting the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea)

Hotel de Oriente

Panoramic view of Umagol River
with Plaza de Castro on the left and Hotel de Oriente on the right.
This photo was taken while I was standing on the Lola Basyang Bridge
connecting both sides of the river.


Some parts of the Lola Basyang Bridge have carvings of
manananggal and tikbalang.

That's hubby exploring the grounds of Hotel de Oriente in the photos above and below...


... in amazement!?


I love this view of Hotel de Oriente, seemingly floating on Umagol River.

The original Hotel de Oriente was based in Binondo. It is known as the first premier hotel in the country and the second building in the Philippines to have a telephone. Hotel de Oriente has two large halls that can accommodate 1,000 persons and four function rooms named after Old Manila places.

La Puesta del Sol

Casa Hagonoy

From Hotel de Oriente, we strolled along La Puesta del Sol where we passed by Casa Hagonoy, Casa Ladrillo and Casa Terraza. We didn't proceed any further as we noticed that the road was going towards our casa. 

So we backtracked to Plaza Mayor de Tobias. 

The calesa didn’t escape my vision. We had to take a ride and do photo ops, of course.

But wait... hubby saw the statue of Lola Basyang before crossing over to where the calesa was. 

Here... take a closer look! 

Lola Basyang telling tales to the kids.

What story is that you’re reading for the kids, Lola Basyang?

Can I take a look?

Let’s see if I can read. 

Hmmm.... "Manananggal at tikbalang?"

😱😱😱😱😱

"Once upon a time..."

Photographing the photographer again... 

"Hi kids, can I take your photo?"

"Can I post your photo in Instagram?"

Hubby and me posing with Hotel de Oriente at the background

Hubby aiming to click his cam but I was quick to take a shot of him first.

...and another one. 

It's calesa time now! 

Here’s the photo he took of horsey and me.

We bought our tickets for the calesa ride (at PhP 75/person) from Casa Lubao. 

The 4 Sisons all set for the calesa tour

Here we go!

Our calesa driver was very enthusiastic to give us information about the various casa we passed by.

The calesa tour covered the casas near Plaza de Castro, Paseo de Escolta and Parque de Manila before going back to its point of origin in front of Casa Lubao.

Casa Lubao

Casa Lubao is Las Casas owner's ancestral home. A plantation house, originally built in Lubao, Pampanga in the early 1900s, it was located right in front of the Lubao Municipal Hall where the family managed their rice and sugar hacienda. The original structure had a combined Filipino, Spanish and American architecture with large rooms and high ceiling. 

After the calesa ride, we strolled around again. It was drizzling so we had to wear the raincoats that came with the accommodation package.

Tin (left), as usual, taking the lead.

Ayana (right) figuring out how to evade the wet spots on the road.

After the calesa ride, we had more walking to do. Along the way, we saw this tramvia. I was excited to take a ride but disappointed to find out that it was under repair at the time of our visit.

We had to be contented with just taking photos.

Hubby taking a photo of the tramvia
and of me!

We had more casa hopping to do on foot as hubby wanted to see Casa Quiapo. He had to take photos of the logo of the University of the Philippines mounted on the wall. Casa Quiapo (Home to Bellas Artes Projects Foundation) was built in 1867 and was used as the first campus of the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts from 1908 to 1926 before the death of its first director, Rafael Enriquez, in 1927. It also became the first school of Architecture in the Philippines. It was eventually transferred to Padre Faura St. 

The seal of the University of the Philippines 
in front of Casa Quiapo

We wanted to see more casa but with the rain pouring and wind getting stronger, it
was impossible to take off our raincoats and difficult to take photos.
We decided it was time to go back to our casa after casa hopping.

Did you see that? The wind and rain hitting Umagol River.
I didn't need an audio in making this video. That was real!

This is the view at the back of Casa Gapan and Casa Balanga where we stayed.

Beside Casa Balanga stands Casa Irosin, the only Balay na bato left in Irosin, Bicol after World War 2. This house was saved from destruction by the Japanese after Rosario de Castro, the owner, begged that her house be spared. The Japanese was pleased to see her picture wearing a kimono (Japanese national costume), thus, spared her house.

Casa Irosin

Visible from Casa Balanga, at the northwest area, is Casa San Juan, one of the most beautiful in Las Casas. The original form of this casa was built in San Juan, Batangas by owners Don Eulogio and Dona Rufina which they passed on to their daughter, Soledad. Inside the house are amazing woodcarvings prseserved through the years made by inmates of the Muntinglupa Bilibid Prison.

Casa San Juan

At 6:00 pm, we headed to Hotel de Oriente for the cultural show featuring folk dances performed by students from the local schools of Bataan. I wasn't able to take photos and videos as my seat wasn't  strategically located.

After the show, we had dinner at the Cucina ni Nanay Maria at Casa Unisan.
It was a birthday dinner for Tin's 26th year where we tried the best seller ice cream of the casa- - -gabi with pinipig.

We decided to walk back to Casa Balanga, at the same time, exploring the other casas along La Puesta del Sol.

Here's a glimpse of Las Casas at night.

The shining grandeur of Hotel de Oriente at night


Casa Hagonoy

Casa Hagonoy, a two-storey gabled house, has three balconies- - - one big balcony on the second floor, one below and a smaller balcony at the back. History of the casa tells that the unique circular balcony at the second floor was where Consuelo waited for her husband every night to return from the grave, making people think that there was a white lady in the house.

Casa Ladrillo

Casa Ladrillo, one of the archival houses in Las Casas, is the only brick house at Estero de Binondo. Eyecatching because of its Western motiff, setting it apart from the other casas. 

Before calling it a day, here's our casa at night

Casa Balanga

In the morning, we had complimentary buffet breakfast at Hotel de Oriente. Before having breakfast, I took a video of Plaza Francisco, where our casa was located.



It was raining again and the wind was fierce outside but we managed to walk by the beach.
Photo ops again. See these photos below.

We were supposed to join the heritage group tour scheduled at 8:30 am, but the weather was persistently bad. Sad that we missed the highlight of the Las Casas tour. The rain and wind that came with Josie caused us to stay indoor. We just decided to explore the area around the casa in order to avoid getting drenched, afraid of getting sick when we get back home. 

Ayana Grace made us her model while experimenting on some photography antics with her mobile cam. 

Before leaving the casa, I was able to capture another panorama of Las Casas
 from the back of Casa Balanga.


Then we had lunch at Cafe Marivent while waiting for our driver to take us home.

Family selfie while waiting for lunch to be served. 

We left Las Casas at 1:31 pm, after deliberating which route to take upon hearing the news that Josie already splashed her fury in many parts of Bataan province, making them areas of calamity. Our chests went pounding again as heavy traffic met us in Balanga. Well, if you are still in for more, that would mean you have to follow us in another post... about another memorable adventure on our trip back home. For the meantime, you may click this site to get an idea. Oh, please, don't be scared... we were able to reach home though. I'm just not ready to post about it. Besides, I'm sure you're tired following us and I've written long enough.

Thank you for bearing with me until this part. Thanks to this brochure (photos above), too, that comes with the tour package. Describing the casas we saw was made a lot easier.

Do you have plans of visiting Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar? Oh, you should! We recommend that you go visit the place... but you need to do that on a summer. The perfect time is NOW! Go, go, go!

'Til our next adventure!