June arrived and half the year's done in a blink of an eye! Not really complaining because it's exactly how I want it though. The first 2 quarters of 2017 was nothing but sweet to me, I've been to Jakarta, Dusseldorf, and a birthday date in Singapore. Always a lovely time when I travel abroad, and especially on a holiday, the experience, culture and food is something I go for. Anyway, I might probably share my amusing Dusseldorf-work experience here soon. The meantime, come join me marvel and go nostalgic at probably one of the most "romantic places" to be- located north at Bagac Bataan for this year's company trip!
To Las Casas
I initially planned on skipping, since week prior I just arrived from Germany, and I thought I could use the weekend for recovering time zone problems, but hell, what time zone problems? Call time at 7AM, thanks McDo for saving the day, we could use a cup of what is this...orange juice?! No coffee? urgh. After an hour and half, surprise we're still trailing along Edsa. Thanks to pusoy game coined by game master himself Alvin, traffic was bearable more or less.
Las Casas is accessible via SCTEX and NLEX. We took the SMBA route to Balanga town proper. You can find other options for getting to Las Casas at their official website.
A trip back in time
Mr. Jose or Jerry Acuzar to his friends of New San Jose Builders started reconstructing Spanish mansions in 2003. From his passion for ancestral houses this heritage park was born and was opened to the public by 2010. To date, the park has over 27 colonial mansions spread over at the 400ha property. By half past 12noon, and 157.8km away from Manila, we finally arrived at the unsullied, far-flung beauty of Bataan.
Señor, Señora bienvenido a Las Casas! (Welcome to Las Casas)
Immediately upon arriving, major throwback travel starts. I was looking forward to seeing colonial mansions but surprised to found out that Las Casas is a little paradise made of everything so breathtaking! Spanish mansions everywhere, stone-cobbled street right across Bagac Bay.
We were guided to Café Marivent's comedor for lunch. A warm soup is just what we need right now. To start, tinola soup ftw, yummy lechon kawali, all-time-favorite-pancit, sweet and sour fish fillet, and choice of fresh fruits!
Accomodations at Las Casas
Las Casas have available hotel rooms across the beach side if you want to enjoy some breeze but you could also opt to stay at private casas which they have upgraded for rent for a more personal heritage experience. The fun part was each one is trying to scare another because, hello old mansions are supposed to be scary right? but surprisingly, the rooms and amenities are really in good condition, on fleek.
La aparador. Personally not a fan of cabinets with mirrors near or across bed.
Imagine having to pee at night and you see something probably your own reflection,
but still scary.
Warm lights
Don't be surprised if the baño takes up a whole room, because this is
exactly how rooms were constructed way back.
Veranda and admiring all the details..
and overlooking the veranda is this #instagramworthy pic
Let the games begin
but the beach is calling with every crash of the waves, chos
Walang basagan ng itlog. Part of our stay includes Filipino-themed-games
for the team building
Kadang2x at its finest, and Chris mastered it already!
and the winner gets carbs-pa-more, I was looking forward to some traditional
Filipino snacks but anyways
Las Casas by Night
So after the fun part, we went for an afternoon stroll around the park in hope to find some kutchinta or sapin2x but found interesting things why you should go here!
Las Casas is perfect for doing Prenuptial shots.
You will never ran out of perfect backdrop!
So many beautiful details to fall in love with. We come a crossed ladies in traditional Filipino costumes preparing for dinner at La Bella Teodor. They serve Italian and Filipino dishes
al fresco style while enjoying a clear river view under a night full of stars.
Santuario de San Jose Church right in the middle of Las Casas,
in fact a replica of Balanga Church.
What a stunning beauty, prenup and wedding- you could do it here!
and still no kutchinta.
Thankfully, beef kare-kare saved the night!
and grilled tanique paired with rice, diet no more!
Finally, we stayed at the beachside with bonfire, it must've been a great night except that the "bartender" asked us if we could occupy other area because we did not order from the make shift bar. It was a bit rude when we have ordered the drinks from their own restaurant, so we had to ask for the manager. It was really an awful experience, so much for ruining the mood! Anyway, still annoyed but ordered some frozen margarita and it was badly served on a plastic cup. Don't come to the bar by the beachside.
The walking day tour
Good morning Las casas, margarita got me slight headache,
but moving on to our activity for the day
Breakfast perfection with old timer longganisa, sinangag and two full cups of coffee, headache gone. Buenas dias!
Pandesal at kape, what a pair!
Okoy, okay?
When the tummy has been filled, time for the tour! Starting with Casa Lubao, a colonial mansion that was taken piece by piece, brick by brick owned by Arastia and Vitug of Lubao, Pampanga in the 1900's.
Maria Clara, nakadungaw sa bintana, babain and iyong sinta..
In all its glorious beauty, Hotel de Oriente the first class plush hotel in 1899, also well known as the best lodging located before in Binondo before Manila Hotel became the Finest Hotel in the Far East now serves as convention center at Las Casas. An interesting trivia, the first ever telephone was installed in 1. Malacan 2. Hotel de Oriente, #phonepalgoals
Old but Gold
Sure our past is something painful, history tells us how Spaniards colonized the country for 333 years. How they often referred to locals as indio. Books we read through high school like Noli me Tangere and El Fili have opened our eyes of the cruelty and abusive treatment and how the alta sociedad regarded as nobles who associated themselves to Spain to level up their position is something we now call as classy. 333 years ago from Spain and 50 years from Hollywood, I guess our culture of slaves remain. We have tolerated our Filipino time as being late, because in the past la alta's always arrived late and they get everyone's attention. Spanish influence is everywhere, from the names of streets and cities, fiesta's, religion and all the Spanish surnames, de los Santos (of Saints), del rosario (of rosary), dela Cruz (of the cruz).
Las Casas Filipinas brings us back to a memory lost in time. If you are an old soul like me, go visit Las Casas and get lost in time!
Las Casas Filipinas brings us back to a memory lost in time. If you are an old soul like me, go visit Las Casas and get lost in time!
Instagram, or it didn't happen.
Happiness & love.
itsmelory (^.^)
