Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a sprawling 400 hectare property in historical Bagac, Bataan overlooking calm to choppy South China Sea, is now home to 22 freshly nipped-and ancestral houses from Binondo, Tondo, Quiapo, Escolta, Pampanga, La Union and Cagayan.
It started out as a hobby, said Jose Acuzar, the New San Jose Builders Inc. (NSJBI) chairman said. The real estate mogul, who has been in the trade for 24 years, was just looking for a quiet, faraway place where he could bring his family for a weekend respite when he conveniently found this place to reestablish an old house. Soon enough he was scouting for more old family homes that were neglected but still structurally sound. He went all over and managed to acquire more 18th-19th century old houses that currently made up his entire collection.
Acuzar described each ancestral house as “having a unique character, exuding certain emotions and all the more becomes eye-catching when fully restored.” Just as how you build and take apart towers and castles using lego blocks, Acuzar dismantled the houses from their places of origin and painstakingly transported them to Bagac. One by one he rebuilt each entire structure, as in plank by plank, tile by tile and brick by brick.
Acuzar masterfully recreated each house with the help of conservation Architect Miguel Manalo, director of Escuela Taller de Intramuros, who received specialized training in Mexico and resident artist Jose “Ping” Ceriola. Ceriola leads a 120-man team who work as historical architects, metal sculptors, wood carvers and artist-painters. They were able to restore each house that is about 60 percent close to the original structure.
Taking a peek into one of the restored houses prettified with frescoes, sliding capiz windows and decked with old-fashioned four-poster beds, rocking chairs, long wooden tables and other period decor, is like being transported back in time when men were still donning body fit coats while escorting hoop-skirted women.
Indeed, the Spanish colonial village is reflective of the celebrated turn-of-the-century Philippine architecture. That was exactly the purpose of the art-and-history steeped Las Casas Filipinas Resort. To give everyone a fresh experience, a taste of the glorious past amid an absolutely relaxing and laid-back environs. It is something that the whole family can take pleasure in, far from the maddening, fast-paced world that we live in everyday.
For instance, the resort’s irregular shaped pool with dotted giant rocks overlooking the beach offers a calming recreation for everyone, especially the kids. Nearby is an old house from Cagayan which will serve as a spa, to offer the Pinoy trademark therapy called “hilot” as well as different kinds of massage.
Las Casas is a work in progress, said resort manager Teresa Kho-Solvason. Managed by an all-Filipino company Genesis Hotels and Resorts Corporation (GHRC), the triple “A” colonial-inspired resort will soon add up more amenities and services to further live up to its concept.
There will be themed restaurants serving local fares representing the house’s place of origin and manned by native costume clad ladies and men-in-waiting and each heritage house will be kept well by a “manang”, a trusty nanny-governess in days of yore.
To date, Las Casas is already getting a lot of corporate bookings from all over and soon a convention center will open to cater to various-sized meetings and conferences, said Solvason.
Some of the resorts facilities include Cafe Marivent (restaurant), La Taverna de Senor Pepe (pub), Panaderia dela Escolta (mini-grocery/ convenience store), La Parilla (grill/barbecue area) and room service is also available. A butler service for a day can be requested too with a minimal price.
Although set up amid an old-fashioned mood, some of the houses have the easiness of individually controlled air-conditioning styster flat LCD television with cable channels, showe cubicle, bath tub, with running hot and cold water, hair dryer, refrigerator and mini-bar, cof and tea-making facilities.
Las Casas’ accommodations include the Binondo House I (three rooms), Binondo House II (three rooms), Meycauayan House (four rooms San Miguel House (seven rooms), Cagayan House I (one room), Cagayan House ll (one roo beach front for honeymoon), Mexico (upper floor, one room, beach front for honeymoon). The Escolta building has suites with all the facilities and services of a deluxe hotel.
While at the resort, guests can also opt to engage in different outdoor sports, games and water sports activities while day trips to nearby tourist attractions can be arranged upon check-in.
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Tags: bagac bataan, lego blocks, metal sculptors, rocking chairs