When in Bataan: Top 5 Must-do at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a heritage resort in Bagac Bataan Philippines. There are several things that you can do during your stay. Here's my top 5 must-do:

1. Go on history walk tour 

This approximately takes 1.5 hours. A heritage guide dressed in Filipiana with microphone leads the tour, explaining the houses (where it came from, who lived there, etc.). I advice that you take this tour so that you understand the history behind every house instead of just taking photos of them.

Check the schedules (available at the reception) to see the most convenient time for you. But I suggest that you take the afternoon tour (4:30pm) to avoid the sun. Wear comfortable footwear and wear a hat. It's a long walk. You will also enter some houses where you have to remove your footwear.

2. Watch the cultural show

This show features local dances like tinikling, singkil, itik-itik, etc.and songs (kundiman). This is rich in Filipino culture. It was worth watching. However, it would have been better if they used live music instead of taped music so that Filipino musical instruments are featured as well.

They only have this cultural show on Saturdays. It runs from 6pm-7pm. It is front of Paseo de Escolta (the building for the hotel).

3. Go swimming

You can either swim at the stream-inspired swimming pool or swim at the sea. We weren't able to try the swimming pool though since we decided to swim very early in the morning (pool opens at 8am).

The sea and the seashore were clean and well-maintained. When we swam, there were huge waves so be a little careful especially if swimming with kids. Don't expect white sand. It's all black.

You may request for towels at the lifeguard house.

4. Go on workshop walk tour

 Aside from the historical tour, they also educate people on how they create their OWN materials (some of them are even recycled) for maintaining and replicating the heritage houses.

This tour includes going to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar's own factory of bricks, wood carving, handmade wallpaper and furniture. These factories also boost local talents because they hire artists from different provinces. For example, most of the scupltors are from Paete Laguna who are known as best sculptors in the country.

5. Visit the Venice-inspired houses

Cross the stone bridge to get to these houses. They are very colorful and good in photos. Like in Venice, there is a canal in the middle of these houses. Amazing.

There are a lot more things that you can do in this resort. For more information, you can visit their website: www.lascasasfilipinas.com 

ShellyViajera Travel Blog