Taking a trip to prehistoric Philippines

Last week, Ced and I went on a post-anniversary trip to Bagac, Bataan to visit the famous Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. But instead of traveling by water across Manila Bay for only an hour, we chose to endure each other for 4 hours on the road coming from Parañaque. Unfortunately, Ced's the type of geek who speaks to himself and mimics fictional characters while driving. Seriously, he needs an intervention. *sigh*

We arrived around 10:30 in the morning for our day tour. The tour is at Php 650/head. It starts at 8:30am and runs every hour.

A replica of Hotel de Oriente (originally from Binondo, Manila)

Las Casas Filipinas is a collection of ancient homes from the 1700s to early 1900s formerly owned by renowned Filipino families. The brainchild of this heritage resort is an architect/developer (with impeccable taste, if I may add). He saves scraps and rebuilds them in this little dreamland. Not every casa is 100% original. Some were damaged back in the day so they had to restore it. Others, like Hotel de Oriente, are really just replicas of the original structure since it was fully destroyed and no remnants were saved. The place is a hotel, resort and museum rolled into one. If you're staying the night, expect a spooky feel since you'll be staying in casas in Spanish architectural design. If you are fascinated with the  old-fashioned, you will be enthralled, otherwise you'll be creeped out. Even the people who work here are very much "in character". Women wore casual Filipinianas and the guards were in a typical "guwardiya sibil" ensemble. Makes you feel like you travelled back to the prehistoric era.

Each casa has a story so the tour will surely educate you about the history of the Philippines. Our inner history buffs were thrilled as mysteries about each casa were unravelled. But as the tour guide said "Chismis noong unang panahon, history natin ngayon."

I forgot what this casa is called but it's what they consider their five star hotel in Acuzar. This 3-storey house became a dwelling place for informal settlers in Binondo, Manila. They had to take it down for newer establishments and the remnants were brought here. It's luxurious but menacing inside. But at least you can have a bubble bath while watching TV, drinking champagne and lathering yourself with Hermes Paris bath products. Yep, you read that right. Hermes.

Swimming pool: 2-4 ft deep

In front of the replica of Escolta, Manila

This was the very first Bahay na Bato in Unisan, Quezon. Now Casa Unisan houses Cafe Marivent, Acuzar's Filipino-Spanish restaurant. Apart from this, they also have an Italian restaurant called La Bella Teodora, and snack bar called La Parilla near the beach area.

-- And that sums up our trip.

What a quaint destination. I'll probably come back here a couple of years from now for my pre-nup shoot. :))