Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar Day Tour – Thoughts and Tips

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a unique Philippine-Spanish heritage site located in the town of Bagac, Bataan. The site features 22 antique mansions built during the Spanish colonial period between the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Some of these mansions are replicas, but most are originals collected from various provinces of the Philippines. These “casas,” the Spanish word for “houses,” were carefully dismantled to preserve their antiquity. Then, following a meticulous process, each brick, tile, plank, door, and window made the long journey to Bagac, Bataan where they were reassembled to create what is now known as Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar.

The site was conceptualized by Mr. Jerry Acuzar, a businessman and developer whose passion for historical architecture had prompted him to build a site dedicated to Philippine-Spanish architecture and heritage. Many of the houses originated from Pampanga province. Others came from various places like Nueva Ecija, Meycauyan, Tuguegarao, and old Manila.

Most of the casas were named after the provinces or towns they originated from such as, Casa Baliuag, Casa Binan, Casa Escolta, and Casa Binondo. Translated to English Las Casas Filipinas means “Philippine houses.”

Because of the delicate work required on such a project, it took several years to construct. Initial work began in the year 2003 but the site was only opened to the public in 2010. It is a work in progress and to this day, additional villas and mansions are still being relocated.

Also, developments are underway on a few beach-front hotels and the Sanctuario de San Jose or Church of Saint Joseph, a venerated Christian saint.

Walking Tours

To fully appreciate the old mansions it’s essential to join at least one walking tour. There are several tours scheduled throughout the day starting at 8:30 a.m. They run for 1.5 hours and are led by guides who can tell the story of each casa by heart.

During the tour, visitors are allowed to enter some casas which normally are not open to the public. These include Casa Binan and Casa Baliuag. The guides share valuable insights about the origin, forgotten history, and often shocking controversies surrounding each casa. Tours are conducted in both Tagalog and English.

Casa Binan was the historical home of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. It is one of the major attractions at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. There were efforts to relocate the original house in Binan, Laguna, however, local protesters intervened. As a result the project was cancelled. Unfortunately, in 2009 the original Casa Binan was destroyed by Typhoon Ondoy. Now, only its replica which is composed of only 1% of the original house survives.

Where to Eat

There are three restaurants in the vicinity that serve a variety of Philippine and international food. They are quite pricey though. Unfortunately, there are no cheaper alternatives since the site is located on a peninsula at the far end of a small village.

Moreover, during non-peak hours menu options are limited. It can take between 30-45 minutes for meals to be served. If possible, try to place your order in advance.

The Beach

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is not just a treat for culture vultures, it’s also perfect for sun seekers. Fronting Bagac Bay, guests can enjoy some beach time after exploring the mansions. If you arrive at the site early, you can do the walking tour in the morning, then lounge by the beach in the afternoon.

Getting Around

A free shuttle goes around the site which is very convenient since it gets quite hot by midday. The jeepney makes its rounds continuously and the waiting time is between 5 to 10 minutes.

Check out these Bataan travel guides for more info on the coolest attractions and things to do in the province

Touring Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar takes you back to 18th century Philippines. A period both fascinating and complicated, marked by extreme class systems, distorted religious ideologies, and a social awakening that led to the birth of a new and independent nation, the Philippines.

If Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is your next stop, remember the tips above to make the most of your historical adventure.

If you enjoyed reading this article please pass it on!