Unmasking Nationalism thru old Filipino Casas

Bagac, Bataan-- what comes to mind when you hear "BATAAN", me? hmmm as many as i can, in, lets say 10 seconds.. hmmmm, in 3...2...1.... go: death march, beaches, dagat, cross, Mt. Samat... hmmmm oh no, am running out.. ok fine, i lose.

are you wondering where the beautiful picture above was taken? the fine architecture, the age of preserved old houses... the estero... the feeling of nostalgia just by looking at the photo.. makes us feel.. i wanna go there..

The place was actually Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, located at Bagac, Bataan

i learned about this place, honestly, by browsing Facebook. i am actually looking for a place to visit not far from manila on a weekend... if possible, i only need a day to spare my busy life. sometimes, social media, can be a big help in times like this. i saw the pictures of my friend, and soon i know, i was already searching the place on google. glad to know they have their own website too.

it was actually a four hour travel from manila, coming from Quezon, City, with all the traffic and all of metro manila, we managed to reach the place after 4 hour travel using NLEX and SCTEX on a Thursday morning. 

Arriving at the place, an old fashioned Philippine jeepney picked us up from the parking to the Reception area. Welcome drinks were given, but we opted to take it after the tour, they are having hourly tour, and we decided to join the tour first.... and the journey thru casas begun.

this is Paseo de Escolta, a replica of the typical Escolta Buildings in Manila during the 1900's. what you can actually see there now, were several stores like, Fotografia de Escolta, La Tiendecitas, la Panaderia and Antiquedades. standing infront of this building makes me feel am traveling to Europe.

Next is the Casa Quiapo, Escuelta de Bellas Artes Filipinas, it is now known as College of Fine Arts in University of the Philippines, Diliman. Well, before they transfer parts of the building to Las Casas De Acuzar, this place is currently not used by the university but by some Filipino bystanders living near the area, good thing, nationalists involved in preservation decided to transfer it here. 

what actually feels like inside the Escuelta de Bellas Artes Filipinas, i feel like, am at Hogwarts, with that kind of chandelier, dark interior with large paintings. whew! that was breathtaking.

Reminscing childhood with Lola Basyang. 

Back in the days, my siblings and I, when we were kids enjoyed listening to our parents and grandparents' stories.. fokelore or even stories while they were still young... the picture above depicts on how elderly people read stories to children.. oh.. how i wish i could turn back time.. i wish i could be a child forever.

and now... this is actually my favourite! seeing this brick casa.., makes me feel like i am in suburbs of  the Netherlands.. the feels is actually Euopean.. if you are able to join their hourly tour, you can be able to explore the interiors of every case. (you just have to remove your shoes )

the building seen across the Umangol River, is known as Hotel de Oriente.. 

the only thing i regret was that i came here with the lack of photography skills like a pro.. so forgive me with all my photos.. thats the best i can do and i really wish my eyes could take photo so i can give justice to the beauty of the place....

finally, i can say that, this excursion, gave the taste of Philippines way back the Spanish regime.. with mixture of European style brick casas and Filipino architecture, this place can totally bring out the nostalgia in every Filipinos heart.