Thoughts and Timeline: Travel Journal

Travel Photo Diary: Heritage Houses in Las Casas PART 1

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Travel Journal: Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar : A Step Back in Time (*updated)

I have this growing fascination in interest in Las Casas project ever since its opening in 2010. I am history major and a cultural heritage advocate. Las Casas was occasionaly been a topic of our discussion in some of our classes in the Graduate School.

I finally got the chance to go - one of those in a spur of the moment decision. In just a span of three days, we got our room reserved and booked, headed to Bataan Transit and made our way to Bagac, Bataan.

I am frequent visitor of Bataan. Being a community development worker, I frequently bring my class to the towns of Orani and Samal for community immersion. But this is my first time to get as far as Bagac, Bataan.

Bataan: The Dawn Era of Valor and Humanity

As we were getting close to Bagac, Bataan- where Las Casas is… the magnificent view of the rugged mountain side can be seen. It was a very nostalgic for me as I recall the Battle of Bataan accounts written by the Filipino Historian Teodoro Agoncillo in his book, “The Fateful Years”. I painstakingly tried to recall the images, details most especially the valor of both Filipino and American soldiers as they courageously fight the Japanese forces with scarce resources and weak form. Though the times were horrific, I could honestly say that what they have done is one of the finest moment in our history. The whole world witnessed as Filipino and American soldiers fought together up to the end to fight the Japanese Imperial forces.

The Tribune- April 24, 1942

Then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, admiringly following the Filipino’s gallant stand on Bataan, praised the Filipino soldier as “the best warrior in the world.”

Imagine how our gallant brethren threw off and screw Japanese timetable to conquer Asia by fighting their hearts out, the Battle of Points and Pockets is the best example of this.

To get the feels, you can watch “Legacy of Heroes” in YouTube:

Legacy of Heroes Video Link

*** Ooops sorry, I got carried away… the history geek in me, can’t help it hehe…

Las Casas : Pride in the Past

Las Casas first opened in 2010. It was an ambitious project by art collector and heritage advocate Arch. Jerry Acuzar. The concept is first of its kind. Las Casas’ battle cry is “pride in the past”. This heritage resort is must see for all Filipinos, especially the millennial generation. It gives us a window to the past, a glimpse of the bygone era, it imitates scenes from the past that in majestic though simple through architecture and traditional culture.

The photos I have taken did not do enough justice to the beauty of the place. It was magnificent! To me the 400-hectare estate was converted into a theme park (cultural heritage being its theme!). Traditional houses and old hotels was reconstructed brick by brick, plank by plank. The degree of authenticity of the houses vary, as some houses were constructed based on old photographs. Nevertheless, the world-class craftsmanship of the skilled laborers can leave everyone in awe.

Here are some of the photos that I took. These are not the houses for rent. These are some of the facilities that can be rented out as well as some of the unique features.

Hotel de Oriente, a replica of pre-war Escolta hotel. Serves as a Convention Hall.

Front of Casa Mexico (serves as the reception area)

Fountain depicting barrio activity in the the middle of Plaza Belmonte

One of the reason for my return -- soon to be constructed San Jose Church and the Tramvia

Construction for the Tranvia to make the Estero de Binondo more accessible... heat and long walk can be exhausting

Casa Mexico

This was reconstructed with the use of old photograph of the owner of the house, materials used to rebuilt this was made of scarp materials from the junkshop.
Filipino ingenuity at its finest!