2011 Sep: Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, Philippines

Travel Date: September 24, 2011
Destination: Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, Bo Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan, PhilippinesWebsite: http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com
Map: http://www.lascasasfilipinas.com/images/stories/packages/road-map.jpg

From a chartered van from Ortigas, Pasig City, it took us almost 3 hours to reach Bagac, Bataan. Along the road I had few realizations:

• We have a very rich forestry
• Roads are still not that fine (Roman Highway). There are areas under construction but you’ll see no people are working on it.
• Getting there by commuting looks to be difficult as there are only few buses on the road especially on Bataan proper.

Our coordinator booked for Day Tour Package 1 (set meal) that costs Php 1200 per person. This includes:

• 30 minutes to 1 hour guided tour of the Heritage Houses
• entrance fee and use of beach area
• 1 lunch, afternoon snack, bottled water
• vicinity map
• all taxes and service charge

As a background of the place, there is a man named Jerry Acuzar who is an antique collector. He extended his collection from simple antique bed, chandelier, paintings to old traditional houses. From its original location in the Metro and provinces, each house is being transferred ‘piece by piece’, ‘plank by plank’ to Bagac, Bataan.

Tour starts at Casa Mexico, which is being used as receiving area and information center. The name is based on its original location, Mexico, Pampangga.

Casa Meycauayan is from San Fernando Pampangga, Meycauayan Bulacan.
Casa Canadaba from Candaba Pampangga. Also used as a movie location of Noli Me Tangere, 1961.

Casa Tondo, from Tondo, Manila. This is a private casa which is a gift of the owner to his best friend.

Casa Quiapo is taken from its original location in Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila. The mansion was used as the first campus of the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts (1906-1926).

Below is Casa Luna from La Union [on the left] and Casa Jaen from Nueva Ecija [on the right]. In front is Plaza Belmonte with sculptures of playing children.

Paseo de Escolta is a replica from strip of commercial structures and transients at Escolta, Manila. Now, this place is the catered as the resort’s hotel for rooms that accommodate 1-4 persons. In front is Plaza Belmonte where gathering of guests happens during weekends for some entertainment shows.

Casa Unisan is from Unisan, Quezon. This is also the location Café Marivent where lunch, snacks and dinner is served.

This trip happened to have a collection of several chandelier and light photography.

These pieces come from very old houses of which some are abandoned, some were considered thrash, and others were taken from junk shops – but with these there is money and with concern there is beauty and respect for the culture of our country.

With the owner’s belief:

At Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, the legacy of our forefathers and the beautiful Filipino traditions live on. It is a step back into the past, reliving the age- old traditions and practices distinct to our culture, without leaving the luxury and comforts of the modern world.

A showcase of Filipino talent, ingenuity and craftsmanship, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar takes pride in the past... And keeps its hope for the future.