Time travelling back to 19th Century Philippines at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
“May mga bagay na maiiwan natin sa nakaraan pero hindi ibig sabihin na mababaon ang lahat sa limot”. – I Love You Since 1892
The Province of Baatan is one the most historical places in our country. Aside from being known for the significant historical events like the Death March and Battle of Bataan during World War II, Bataan has also transformed itself as a heritage and cultural hub because of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar which is a heritage resort located in Bagac, Bataan.
For someone who loves history and architecture, this is a dream come true. I learned about this place from one of my professors in college. I was encouraged when we discussed it in class. I have dreamt of coming here since then. I can’t believe that the “someday” I promised myself finally came. Each heritage houses here were restored and preserved with pieces from its original structure that has kept its secrets alive through time. It is very surreal. Time travelling to 19th Century Philippines was made possible here because of the heritage conservation efforts of Mr. Jose “Gerry” Acuzar by rebuilding the Spanish Colonial Era Heritage Houses and turning it more than just a resort or tourism destination but also a place for learning history and appreciating our rich Filipino culture and heritage.
This place has also been a filming site of Heneral Luna, Goyo and Quezon’s Game which is why every corner reminded me of it. It was like walking into the film itself and being part of it. If there is a chance that they will be making the film adaptation of the Historical Fiction, I Love You Since 1892, I can imagine it happening here. This is a perfect setting.
We availed the walking heritage tour inclusive of access inside some of the heritage houses, tour guide, welcome drinks, cold towels and free raincoats if it is raining. I will be sharing some of the highlighted structures and heritage houses at the resort as well as some of the things I learned there.
Looks familiar? If you watched Heneral Luna, you will remember that this is the courtyard where Gen. Antonio Luna was betrayed and brutally killed in the film. Casa Binan is a replica of the house where Dona Teodora Alonzo, mother of Jose Rizal grew up and lived. You can also feel that a lot of tragic events happened here. After some time, it came to be known as Alberto Mansion. Its house materials and relics were transferred here to recreate the historic house in Laguna.
Each houses once have a small fenced space near the window where they can dry their plates after washing them. Also, they have ventanillas below, a window for more ventilation since electricity, electric fan and aircondition weren’t invented yet by then.
Casa Mexico is a bahay na bato in Mexico, Pampanga. I don’t know why for some reasons, I was attracted to this house. This is my favorite among the ancestral houses at Las Casas. I love its architectural structure and design. According to the story, this house was totally destroyed. However, they were able to save some of its original materials from the junkshop and reconstructed it using old photographs as their guide for its reconstruction. Because of that, it is considered as the “phoenix rising from the ashes”.
Casa Jaen was built in 1901 by Hilarion Santiago. It is called the “White House” because it served as the residence of the first mayor of Jaen. Moreover, it bares the crown-like design called “acroterion” or crown callados which is a status symbol saying that the one who lives in the house is rich and prominent. Despite its grandeur, this house also witnessed a horrifying event. Jose Carlos, also a mayor lived in the house, was attacked. The house was strafted from the outside with the attempt for his assassination because of politics. He eventually surrendered by waving a white cloth. The house still stands with the evidences of the gunshots in the bullet holes that marked the horrifying event.
Casa Unisan was owned by Antonio Maxino from Quezon Province whose entire family was murdered. Only the youngest daughter, Carmen was able to escape and survive with the help of their househelper by hiding her in a bayong for dirty laundry. Casa Unisan currently serves as a restaurant offering different cuisines.
With this story about Carmen and her family, I was reminded of the story of the Romanovs of Russia. The animated film “Anastasia” was inspired by the fall of the Romanov Dynasty. It was believed that only Anastasia Romanov and her grandmother survived with the help of a young boy working in the palace. Although debatable whether Anastasia survived, recent results from the investigation of historians has proven that she too died that night.
The Paseo de Escolta is a replica inspired from the old commercial structures of the old business district in Manila famed during the 1900s. Currently, it has souvenir stores on the ground floor while the upper floors served as a hotel for tourists.
Casa Byzantina can be originally founds in Binondo, Manila. It is a typical structure of bahay na bato that is built to protect the people from earthquake. Its ground floor is built of stone and bricks while its upper storey are made of various Philippine hard wood. It was lease to tenants after World War II and also became the home to 50 families by 2009. It was later restored and transferred at Las Casas to become a luxurious heritage house accommodating more guests with butler service.
Casa Luna was built in 1850. It is named after the Luna Brothers, Antonio and Juan. It has also witnessed several significant points in our history. It became a venue for gatherings and headquarter of the United States America Forces in the Philippines of the group planning to capture Gen. Yamashita.
Casa Quiapo was also known as Casa Hidalgo. It was built in 1867 designed by first Philippine Architect Felix Arroyo. Before it became the first School of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines, it is where prominent artists like Juan Luna and Felix Hidalgo used to train. The school also gave birth to brilliant artists like Fernando Amorsolo and Guillermo Tolentino.
After some time, it was transferred to Padre Fausta St. where the building housed a bowling alley, abortion clinic, dormitory, and live sex shows. Las Casas have the building blessed to ward of the negativity because of its past. Currently, the building housed the exhibit of Bellas Artes Project.
Casa Baliuag was built in 1898. It is located near Baliuag Church and once served as the municipal hall of Baliuag in 1950s. It has an intricate highly floral motif evident in the wood carvings of the fascade. The lower part of the house became the waiting area for Bulakenos bound for Manila. Because many people stood in front of the houses while waiting for a ride, the owner decided to set up a photo studio and post office business.
Before PNR, LRT and PNR, we have tramvias/ streetcar that is steam operated. This is the mode of transportation in various streets of Manila from the late 1800s- mid 1900s. It said that this was once the envy of Asia.
I was taken by surprise when I saw it in the map and told my friends to see this plaza. I am not even sure if this the one since I suck at reading maps. But I am including this here. I didn’t know we have a plaza here. I feel so entitled and honor to have plaza named after our family. Hahaha joke!
This is a replica of Santuario de San Jose, also known as the Balanga Cathedral.
Of all the stories, I forgot about the explanation for this. It has three women holding different things. I forgot the symbolism in this statue.
A homage for Lola Basyang’s timeless tales. Lola Basyang became an iconic image of a grandmother gathering her grandchildren for a bedtime story. Her stories became part of the rich local culture of storytelling that has fascinated generations of Filipinos. Lola Basyang is the pen name of Severino Reyes, founder and editor of Liwayway Magazine.
Jones Bridge is just near Lola Basyang’s statue. The Jones bridge is connected to Hotel de Oriente and the other side of the resort with heritage houses. One fascinating detail in this bridge it is that it has statues below of mythical creatures in our Philippine Folklore like tikbalang, engkanto and shokoy.
Hotel de Oriente was originally built in 1889 in Binondo, Manila near Binondo Church. It was considered the first premiere luxury hotel in the Philippines. Jose Rizal once stayed at the hotel after arriving from Hong Kong the moment he realizes it was already too late to go home to Calamba, Laguna. During that time, the hotel is also one of the establishments that has a telephone aside from the Malacanang Palace. When the hotel got destroyed at war, it was restored at Las Casas and became a convention center that can hold up to 1,000 people. It is also where the APEC Summit 2015 was held. This hotel holds so much history.
Casa Ladrillo is one of the heritage houses that perfectly captured the European architecture. Also one of my favorites. It serves as one of the resort’s vacation houses. It is said that it got its name from the Spanish term that translate to the word “bricks”.
I am not that sure about this one. This is said to be the “lambingan bridge”. When I searched for this, this is what it was called. At the center is like an open well made of steel grills and a romantic place where you can make a wish of the love your hear desires.
This is the Estero de Binondo. If you will be availing the package for river cruise in a gondola, you’ll be passing by here. It feels like Venice.
You’ll get to see the beautiful architecture highlighting the verandas. We often get confused with veranda and azotea/ terrace. The azotea is the balcony that can be usually found infront of the house. While verandas can be found at the back of the house.
Another one that looks familiar? In Quezon’s Game, this street was part of several scenes in the film. This is one of the most notable. In fact, most of the scenes were filmed here at Las Casas. I just really can’t help not to fangirl every time I pass by the structures that would remind me of it. Every corner became part of the historic film.
During summer and when the weather is good, there are inflatables at beach front. Unfortunately, the weather is not that good when we got there. There was a low pressure area so no inflatables. But during summer, it is one of the fun activities here at the resort.
I took photo of this arch instead. Arch of the Centuries? Will it bring me back to 1892? I am having I Love You Since 1892 feels again. This is what happens when you read the book before going to Las Casas. Hahaha
A MILLENNIAL WITH AN OLD SOUL
I grew up fascinated with history and architecture. In fact, it is what really urged me to travel to Las Casas. It became part of my bucket list. I was also encouraged by the historical biopic films like Heneral Luna, Goyo and Quezon’s Game. Just recently, I just read the Historical Fiction, “I Love You Since 1892”. I cannot help but remember scenes from the book and imagine it happening here. I feel like I am Carmela Isabella from the 21st Century who accidentally time traveled to 1892 to rewrite the story of Carmelita Montecarlos and Juanito Alfonso.
“Nostalgic. I think that is the best word to describe my experience and how I feel after visiting Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. It gives you this longing feeling for the memory you have there. Las Casas is more than a tourism destination or a resort. It is a place for looking back to the grandeur of architecture in 19th Century Philippines. The conservation efforts for each heritage houses has kept its stories and secrets alive after all this time. May we all learn from history and celebrate our rich Filipino culture evident in these structures. For someone who loves history and architecture, this place is a dream come true. I want to go back again someday for new learnings, experiences and memories to long for again. This wraps my Las Casas Story.” –via Instagram @kyna_dc
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