Travel Back In Time With Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Part 2 – Inside The Casas

IMG_0089tWe’re back to our Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar post. After almost an hour of waiting, our tour guide finally arrived! I just love how the resort remained very faithful with their theme. All the workers, whether the tour guide or any of their crews are wearing traditional Filipino clothing during the Spanish era.
IMG_0049tOur tour guide giving us a quick introduction about the Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar. The tour started around 10 and the tour begins with the La Puesta Del Sol. You can check the map below. The red trail are those areas we visited that is part of the tour.  There are many houses in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar but not all of them were accessible for public viewing. Some are hotel rooms.sdsdIMG_0043tAdjacent houses near the Estero De Binondo (these are houses facing the seaside). They are hotel rooms which are not part of the tour and they are not accessible for public viewing as well. You see that railing on the lower right? You can actually avail a train ride tour just in case you don’t prefer walking. Not sure with the rate though. 
IMG_0053t

IMG_0059tAfter the brief introduction with the first set of casas (houses), we are guided to a brick bridge which is connected to two islets. The one on the left is where the Plaza Maria can be found (here you can find three different buildings, the Casa Gapan, Balanga and Irosin) and all of which can be occupied or be rented privately. We took the right route which takes us to Plaza Marcelino.IMG_0061tHeading to Plaza MarcelinoIMG_0063tOne of their La Ribera houses

La Ribera HousesIMG_0067tAs what the title of these houses connotes, these houses are connected to small canal that comes from the Umangol River. So basically, there is some kind of Venice vibes here!IMG_0069tThe Plaza MarcelinoIMG_0077tAt the basement of one of the La Ribera Houses. IMG_0073tThe porch connected to the canal. I think you can appreciate this place more if you availed their boat tour packages.IMG_0074tIMG_0083tJust look at this intricately designed Veranda!IMG_0081tThe fountain at Plaza Marcelino

Casa Hagonoy
IMG_0090tThe first house that we visited is the Casa Hagonoy. Interestingly, in observance with Filipino Tradition, everyone of us were encouraged to take off our shoes when entering each building. Much like in Japan, removing shoes before entering a home is a classic Filipino custom to pay respect to the house owner. IMG_0094tThe dining area at Casa HagonoyIMG_0096tThe living room area at Casa Hagonoy. The Veranda or the terrace on the other hand will give you a great view of Santuario de San Jose church.IMG_0100tWe were told that not all the furniture in the casas were originally taken from the real house. Some of them were added to bring the house more alive and also to matches the theme.IMG_0102t
IMG_0104t
IMG_0111tIMG_0112t

Casa LubaoIMG_0125tCasa Lubao is said to be one of the youngest houses in Las Casas. It was built in 1920 and was owned by  Arastia and Vitug families. The house served as  storage for rice and sugar, and became a Japanese garrison during World War II.  The fate of the house was saved during the World War when a Japanese colonel stopped his men from burning the house in gratitude for the kindness of the Arastia family who, unknowingly, hired him as a driver and gardener before the war.IMG_0121tIMG_0123tIMG_0138tIMG_0160tThe balconyIMG_0140tThe very detailed ceiling on the balcony area of Casa Lubao. It actually reminds me of that “Balcony of Sinners” in Aguinaldo Shrine in Cavite.IMG_0141tThe best thing I love about Casa Lubao is the ceiling and how intricate the details are. IMG_0145tIMG_0146tGranite table and rattan chairsIMG_0148tOne of the bed rooms in Casa LubaoIMG_0153tThe luxurious dining areaIMG_0154tA stunning view from the window

Casa BiñanIMG_0168tCasa Biñan is our third stop and the heavy rain forced us to stay in this place quite longer as expected. By the way, did you know that each Casa is named based on the place where they originated? Casa Biñan, for obvious reason, is a replica of a historically significant house from Laguna. It is also known as the Alberto House and is a replicated version of the house of Teodora Alonzo, the mother of Jose Rizal. IMG_0179tAlthough a replica, some of the parts of the house like the doors, stairs and planks of woods were taken from the original ancestral house.IMG_0169tIMG_0189tAnd yes, another thing that makes this casa even more special is the fact that this is where the iconic scene from Heneral Luna were shot! His death scene in particular

Casa Quiapo
IMG_0200tCasa Quiapo built in 1867 and owned by Don Rafael Enriquez, which was given to the University of the Philippines and became the first Fine Arts school from 1908 to 1926. This building is also known as Casa Hidalgo and if I heard it correctly from our tour guide, the house once cater sex shows and abortion services. IMG_0204tIMG_0209tIMG_0210tOnce you enter the Casa, you will be welcomed by this enigmatic hallway adorned with different portraits from different artist and huge chandeliers (ang lakas makaHarry Potter)IMG_0214tIMG_0219tThe buildin features a lot of eerie displays and I don’t think I have enough courage to stay here overnight haha. IMG_0226t

Just in case you’ve missed my previous entries, feel free to visit the links below

Travel Back In Time With Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Part 1
Travel Back In Time With Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Part 2
Travel Back In Time With Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Part 3

2 thoughts on “Travel Back In Time With Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Part 2 – Inside The Casas

  • October 6, 2016 at 8:06 pm
    Permalink

    Wow…the place is so beautiful. Hopefully someday i’ll be able to visit

    Reply
  • October 21, 2016 at 11:28 pm
    Permalink

    I like Casa Quiapo the most. Looks kinda creepy. I like the Venice vibes in the casas too! Perhaps it’s better than going to Venice itself! They said the water in Venice smells funny. Hehehe! And the gondola ride is way too expensive.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *