Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar pursues commitment to the preservation of arts and heritage

By Buddy G. Recio

HHaving visited Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar several times in the past, our story will not be a typical introductory piece of what to see or what to do in the more than 400-hectare heritage resort.

It is a narrative of why we keep on returning, why we travel the length of 154 kms. (more than a 3-hour drive), why we keep on discovering new spots to take photos and selfies, why the excitement never wanes.

There were summer visits, rainy season spiels, events like beauty contests, anniversaries, holiday festivities, each one provides a different experience, providing us serendipitous moments.

In 2021, Las Casas de Acuzar was named Best Historic Hotel in Asia and the Pacific, earning for itself an accolade that makes it unique to the country, a destination that provides an experience of life here many years ago. Historic Hotels Worldwide is dedicated to promoting heritage and cultural travel to historic treasures that include hotels, castles, chateaus, palaces, villas, haciendas, monasteries, and the like.

In 2022, Las Casas de Acuzar went up another notch by being included in the Top 25 Historic Hotels Worldwide for Most Romantic Hotels by the same organization, a fitting tribute to Filipino culture and heritage. The description given by the guild was “it provides an idyllic backdrop for every love story”, and that its guests keep on returning. While the resort provides an Instagrammable experience to all, credit should also be given to the men and women who painstakingly work the process of tile works, cement laying, woodcarving and wood cutting that goes with each reconstruction.

A brainchild of Jose Acuzar of San Jose Builders using his idea of preserving centuries-old houses, Las Casas de Acuzar redefines the concept of a cultural village with 63 restored heritage houses and 128 guest rooms that provide unique accommodation experiences. The concept aims to rebuild Spanish-colonial era heritage houses to preserve the history of the Philippines of yore.

Whether the house is made of wood, brick, stone, or cement, there’s always something new to do. Try finding more about the history of each, not just its physical appearance, but its role in our culture and history. Onsite tours are available for that purpose. Going for selfies? Look at your favored background. Who made those small wood patterns, the tiles, pillars, and stairs, is it original or restored? You may ask your guide where it’s done, but that would take another day and is another adventure worthy of a gigabyte in your phone.

Las Casas employs artisans and craftsmen who work with passion and take pride with their work. Every tile, woodcarving, stairway, road, and iron work are handmade by some of the finest collection of Filipino craftsmen. From raw material to finished product, especially the bricks that take close to three months from forming the red clay to baking and sun-drying. It is another experience to watch the transformation created by hands and creates an added value when you give your assigned house or room a second look.

In Las Casas, guests are all equals. Whether you are a CEO, a manager, entrepreneur, ordinary employee gifting yourself from a bonus, guests can all live in heritage houses, walk the same tiled road and cobblestone, ride together in a jeepney shuttle, share the same tour, and gape at the same view fully enjoying that trip back in time.

Countless stories will accompany you as you walk across every street or turn in any corner. There are benches along the way where you can stop and look at the map to learn about the famous people who once lived in those houses.

A worthwhile activity is the river cruise where you can marvel at the hidden sides like under bridges while you float along the idyllic river bank. While you enjoy these during the day, it is another experience at night as the resort is bathed in the warm glow of lights illuminating the houses and sounds of “harana”, traditional Filipino romantic serenades that are used for courtship.

Culinary offerings in the resort range from Spanish cuisine to be enjoyed al fresco at Cafe del Rio Tapas Bar, to recently reopened Italian ristorante—La Bella. Filipino cuisine is highlighted at Kusina ni Maria along with La Parilla and Pica.

Its latest amenities include the fitness gym with state-of-the-art equipment by Technogym, and the Majayjay Wellness by Tai Chi offering traditional hilot, Chinese massage, and face and body treatments.

Presently, Las Casas continues to pursue its goal of being a Philippine historical showcase. It remains a symbol of sustainability and Filipino creativity. To make it more accessible to guests, a Marina is being developed that will host boats and yachts that will come from areas like Subic Bay which has its own Marina. On its own, Las Casas has two yachts and two party boats for sunset cruises, speedboats, a jet ski and a banana boat to fulfill the needs of guests.