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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort (part 1)

Because mom didn’t want a trip abroad for her birthday no matter how short -or how near, we thought it best to take her out of town for the long weekend. The very least we could do to make her birthday this year a little out of the ordinary.

Tagaytay doesn’t warrant an overnight stay. So we thought.. hmnnnn.. juuuuust a little bit further. The opposite of South maybe. But not so far that she’d get antsy. Bataan was perfect. Unchartered territory. Far enough -laden with historical background, and near enough that mom won’t get hysterical with the distance away from home -her true comfort zone! 😛

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Since we don’t go out of town much, or go on short vacays for that matter, Kap makes sure that each trip is really a fun adventure. Hence the toys. Paalis palang puno na ang sasakyan namin. Para kaming mga sardinas sa lata!

 

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort

89 Brgy. Pag-asa, Bagac, 2107 Bagac, Bataan (63-2) 3325338 or (63-2) 3325286
A project of the New San Jose Builders owned by art collector Architect Jose Rizalino “Jerry” Acuzar, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort aims to showcase cultural heritage..

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Upon reaching the gate of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort, a Guardia Sibil makes sure that you really have business in the resort. Security is tight, which is good. I felt comforted.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, the country’s first and only heritage resort by the sea, is built on 400 hectares of land in the town of Bagac, Bataan. The houses therein date as far back as the 18th to 19th centuries & were relocated from their original sites, then built on the Acuzar property aptly paved with cobblestone streets for a more old-fashioned feel.

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Upon arrival, proceed to the Reception area where you will be given a map, magnetic keys to your room, and breakfast vouchers. Your vehicles stay parked outside the inner walls so the shuttle is your best bet in getting around.

Day 1:

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We were met by my good friend from years back, MARY ROSE “Sarci” RAZON, now the PR Director of  Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort. Thank you so much dear Sarci for the warm welcome. And for making a special trip up Bataan in spite of your very busy schedule just to make sure that we were ok. Love you! <3

 

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Casa San Miguel. From 42-55k/night – 6 bedrooms (2 upstairs & 4 downstairs) with living & dining room. Breakfast & day tour included. Perfect for 6 families to bond over the holidays. Our home for the 1st night of the long weekend. Dating from 1900, Casa San Miguel was owned by the Buencamino family from Bulacan. One of the major restorations done in the house was the repositioning of the staircase from the back part of the house to the front part. This was done primarily because it would make the house sturdier. This part of the house is what makes it exhibit a typical bahay na bato of the 1900’s with its main staircase in the exterior of the house. Zialcita, 1998. Wooden parts of the house are all original. Today, the Casa San Miguel is another example of a house in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar that shows adaptive reuse. The structure with its six bedrooms functions as one of the lodging places for rent.

 

PicMonkey Collagezzz

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And of course, my life isn’t as interesting without these goofballs! 😛 Photo op agad-agad!

 

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As you can see, our quarter was pretty spacious. Comfortable with 5 of us rooming in. We just asked for an extra cot for my Babyson. We had a dreamless sleep with the split-type air conditioner turned full blast to combat the Bataan heat. Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar has all the comforts of the modern civilization with wifi internet access at the main lobby, high water pressure, & cable tv. The surroundings may look antique, but I assure you, the technology is as modern as can be.

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The family that rooms together, stays together! 😉

Once owned by the elitists of their time, the 27 (and counting) relic structures bring nostalgia & sentimentality reminisce of yesteryears. By walking on the streets of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar alongside a calesa clip-clopping nearby, and amid the rustic sculptures that accent the property, it’s as if we are privy to history & eavesdropping to secret conversations spoken in rooms shuttered by capiz windows and stairways with curved balustrades.

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The Casa Bizantina house above is a bahay na bato previously located at the corner of Madrid and Penarubia streets in San Nicolas, Binondo. The ground storey was built of stone and bricks while the upper storeys were made of various Philippine hardwood. Total Size: 380.97 sqm. House Rate: P 150,000.00 Room Service Breakfast: 16 persons Extra Bed: P 3,500.00 per person

 

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One of the things you can do at the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort is take a leisurely calesa ride to admire the beautiful surrounding & scenic spots. Kalesa ride- P50 (One round) Golf Cart- P650/hr. (if guest driver); P500/hr (if resort driver); P350/hr. (resort driver only) Bicycle- P150/hr. Or you can take the 1-hour walking tour for a historical background & educational appreciation of the Philippine heritage.

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If you decide to walk, make sure you bring comfy & sturdy walking shoes as the path is paved with cobblestones & other lumpy (but pretty) materials. Mahirap lakaran so I suggest you rent a bike, or a golf cart for easier access.

 

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Bike! It’s both fun & exercise. 😉 Looks easy, pero hiningal ako ha!

 

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Available soon – a Tramway. How exciting! <3

 

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and a Gondola. I can just imagine how even prettier Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort will be upon its 100% completion. It will be just MARVELOUS & world-class! <3

 

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Mr. Jerry Acuzar has left no stone unturned in the building of his dream project. You can see that Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort is not built just for the profit or the return on his investment, but for his true love of architecture, art, and culture. This is built for his pure enjoyment, and shared with the Filipino people for us to enjoy as well.

What to do:

Aside from sightseeing & photo shoots, there are plenty of things you can do within the walled premier village of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort..

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Make sure you take lots & lots of wonderful photos for memories you can relive from your fascinating stay.

 

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What it entails for a GOppets photoshoot. Self-timer. We forgot our camera stand so our water jug had to do the job. Thank you ATE for being so game & patient all most of the time hehe! :-*

 

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The brick house. I think this is my favorite among all the houses -ergo this picture. I’d like to own a brick house one day. Kaaaaap, bilmoko!

 

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Take pictures from morning to sawa. Who says you have to limit your shots. And creativity? I-channel ang inner Iman! 😉

 

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If you didn’t get to bring a camera, head on over to FOTOGRAFIA & have your own photoshoot. Artista ka for a day! \m/ Why not?

 

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Fotographia has costumes you can rent for your photoshoot.

 

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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort is filled with beautiful art pieces & sculptures. Try to visit & admire each one. It’s like looking for a hidden Mickey, really. The search is an adventure in itself because to will take you to hidden places within the safe confines of the village.

 

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Kap brought along his pocket motor bike so he was able to go far & wide, from end to end. Madaya!

 

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The kids brought their penny boards so there’s that. Naiwan talaga akong naglalakad mag-isa! :'(

 

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For a minimal fee, take a 1-1.5 hour guided walking tour around Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Heritage Resort (Ask for the friendly & mej eloquent DEXTER). It showcases every single heritage house in the resort. The tour includes hearing the historical and cultural significance of the heritage houses. Package 1 (set meal) P 1,200.00 nett per person Package 2 (buffet meal) P 1,500.00 nett per person Inclusions: – Welcome drinks – 30 minutes to 1 hour guided tour of the Heritage Houses Entrance fee and use of beach area – 1 lunch, afternoon snack, 2 tetra-pack juices, 2 bottles of mineral water – Vicinity map – All taxes and service charge OTHER OPTIONS Option 1: Entrance fee with snacks P 850.00 nett per person (Adult) P 425.00 nett per person (Child) Option 2: Entrance fee only P 685.00 nett per person (Adult and children 5 years old and up; toddlers free of charge)

 

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Swim! Wade in the batis-inspired pool for a sunrise/sunset view. Either one equally beautiful.

 

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or HHWW! Hold Hands While Walking on the beach. Speaking of the beach, we transferred to the beachfront area on our second night. How nice to be lulled to sleep by the gentle crashing of the waves & waking up with the love of your life to the sound of the sea. I could get used to this.. I really could. UP NEXT!

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“And though you don’t believe that they do, they do come true. For did my dreams, come true when I looked at you. And maybe too, if you would believe, you too might be overjoyed, over loved, over me”Overjoyed/Castle of Love by Stevie Wonder

to be continued.. 😉

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Harana A Weekend At Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar with Lani Misalucha. Venue at the majestic Hotel de Oriente Convention Centre. 4-course gourmet dinner show on Oct 31, overnight room accommodations with breakfast Oct 31 – Nov 1, tour of the country’s first and only Heritage Resort by the sea, use of the pool, beach and more!. Great way to spend the weekend! For tickets go to www.ticketworld.com,ph or call Manila sales and reservations office (63-2) 3325338, (63-2) 3325286, 09178729371.

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Quiapo Manila Kapitbahayan sa Kalye Bautista atbp Lugar, Inc. A non-profit organization whose advocacy is to preserve culture, heritage houses, appreciation of art and impart these to the youth through value formation and education. This is the beneficiary of the event “Harana A Weekend At Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar with Lani Misalucha” Oct 31, 2015. Get your tickets at www.ticketworld.com.ph

 

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Day trips at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar are now made more convenient as the country’s first and only heritage resort by the sea offers daily shuttle service from Manila to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan and back. For as low as Php 1,999 interested parties may have a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and have a relaxing time at the resort with the Heritage Day Tour and Roundtrip Shuttle Service Package. Guests will surely have a grand time travelling north in a cozy coach while enjoying the beauty of greeneries along the way. Upon arrival, they will marvel at the resort’s old-world beauty featuring picturesque ancestral houses and structures near the scenic Bataan shoreline. Regular shuttle service for guests are also available for Php 750 per way. Designated pickup and drop off points are the New World Hotel Makati and the Astoria Plaza in Pasig City.

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11 Comments

  • Reply Noel Q.

    Jane, pareho tayo! Gusto ko din magka-brick house ako.

    This site is beautiful! Of course, I would’ve preferred that these houses be preserved at their original location, but we all know that’s NOT going to happen, so I applaud Mr. Acuzar for his efforts to conserve these historic houses.

    October 13, 2015 at 8:18 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Kelangan mong mag-honeymoon jan asap Niel. Gow!

      October 13, 2015 at 9:36 am
      • Reply Noel Q.

        Mag-ipon muna ako… if I save all my salary, I should be able to stay there in about… hmmmmm… seven decades! hahahahaha…

        October 13, 2015 at 10:15 am
        • Reply sugargospice

          Chos! 😛 Paguwi ng mga balikbayan mo Niel maganda silang dalhin jan.

          October 13, 2015 at 10:34 am
          • Noel Q.

            Pwede!!!

            October 13, 2015 at 10:38 am
  • Reply Photo cache

    I love to see this place. I am enamored with old houses and growing up there wasn’t too much old houses left.

    October 13, 2015 at 12:55 pm
    • Reply sugargospice

      How I wish you can go there when you come for a visit, Maria. It’s truly world-class. Something we can be proud of. <3

      October 13, 2015 at 12:58 pm
  • Reply Kei Aclaro

    Wow! Super ganda po dyan… Much nicer than Taal kasi iba ang ambience ng lugar. Kaso kailangan po talaga pag-ipunan ng mga commoners na tulad ko. Hehehe… Thanks for sharing this, Ms. Jane! At least, we now know that there is another wonderful and unique “resort” in the North that is really worth visiting…

    P.S. I love all the pics especially yung silhouette shot nyo ni Kap na nakaupo… 🙂

    October 16, 2015 at 9:18 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Hahaha parang hotel price din lang sya dear Kei. Yung bahay lang ang mahal kasi uupahan ng buo. Pero pag hotel per room lang ang bilang so mega affordable. And malayo-layo sa kabihasnan kaya feel na feel ang vacay! 😉

      October 16, 2015 at 11:10 am
  • Reply med

    BEAUTIFUL PLACE. BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS. BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.
    dandasha;)

    October 16, 2015 at 9:47 am
    • Reply sugargospice

      Awwwww thank you my dearest Meding!! :-* My heart swells with pride hehe.

      October 16, 2015 at 11:08 am

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