After driving all the way to Mount Samat for me and my bff's double birthday celebration, we decided to
take our lunch in the neighboring town of Balanga because food establishments
are limited in Pilar area. What others do when visiting Mount Samat, they bring
their own food and share it with their companions in picnic style. After our
heavy lunch, we took the road again heading Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. Las
Casas is on the same road as Mount Samat. Distance between the two locations is
about 20 kilometers more or less an hour travel time.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
(The Philippine Houses of Acuzar) is a 400 hectares heritage park and resort
located in Bagac Bataan built by José “Gerry”
Acuzar, owner of the New San Jose Builders and history art collector. Entrance
fee is 680 pesos for day tour with guided tour, welcome drink and cold
towel. You can also use the resort's facilities including the swimming pool and witness the cultural show every 6 in the evening. Guided tour usually takes 1 and ½
hour which will bring you to different beautiful restored houses. The old houses are mostly Spanish design which will
really let you travel back in time. These heritage houses were painstakingly
transferred and carefully dismantled, brick by brick from their original
locations in the different parts of the Philippines and carefully restored by
the resort’s artists. These houses were rehabilitated to resemble the original
structure. The parts that were missing like woodwork and bricks were replicated
to resemble the original structure.
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar |
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar |
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar |
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar |
Some of the old houses you can see at Las Casas. Guests are allowed to enter to some of the houses just remove your footwear first.
First Class hotel in the area is Hotel De Oriente from Binono Manila.
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Hotel De Oriente |
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Hotel De Orient |
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Hotel De Orient |
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Lola Basyang bridge |
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Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar walking tour |
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Cultural show |
Generally, our historical tour in
Bataan was so memorable. Not only we have got the opportunity to see the beauty
Bataan has to offer but the chance to get a glimpse of the province’s rich
culture and history. A history every youth should know and appreciate to ignite
their heart for the love of country that can be passed on the next generation.