As an establishment, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar opened quite recently, back in 2010. The estate is owned by Jose L. Acuzar, a business magnate and connoisseur of arts and antiques. In his collection were also segments and sections of old colonial homes, which he sought to preserve.

The large swath of land in Bagac was originally acquired to build a vacation property for his family. Come 2008, while purchasing parts of an old colonial home in Cagayan, he struck upon the idea of dismantling the whole house, then rebuilding and restoring it somewhere else. This old home was later rechristened as Casa Cagayan and became the very first of his wondrous new collection.

More offers followed, and with each casa (home) that Jose bought and restored, the estate slowly turned into a private village. Around the same time, public curiosity grew regarding this private village filled with centuries-old houses. Some local media networks even shot their TV shows and movies on the property.

Realizing the opportunities, he opened the estate in 2010 as Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a heritage-themed beach resort offering cultural and luxurious experiences steeped in Filipino character. Since its opening, the resort has amassed different awards and accolades, including the Most Excellent Destination Hotel at the Asia Awards of Excellence in 2017 and the Best Historic Hotel in Asia and the Pacific at the Historic Hotels Awards of Excellence in 2021.

Currently, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar boasts 64 heritage houses and villas throughout the estate. Apart from the luxurious restored casas, the resort also features other buildings constructed using traditional styles, serving as establishments and civic buildings for the village. There's even a church here, which is designed after the actual St. Joseph Cathedral in the city of Balanga.

Since these casas were acquired from all over the Philippines, they each have a distinct regional style brought about by the local culture and availability of materials. Some, such as Casa La Drillo and Casa Lemery, reflect the quirks or backgrounds of their original owners.

One of the main buildings of the estate is the Hotel De Oriente which is designed as a combination of a European palace and a colonial municipal office. It is a reconstruction of the original Hotel De Oriente in Binondo, Manila, which was destroyed in World War II. As such, the interior is heavily embellished with details. These include intricately carved wooden banisters and railings, walls adorned with sculpted images of Catholic saints, and ceilings decorated with frescoes and carved filigree.

The resort's 64 casas are a type of dwelling known locally as bahay na bato, which means 'stone house'. Another name for this style was arquitectura mestiza. The term is credited to a Jesuit priest who was describing the hybridized or mixed architectural conventions, blending Iberian engineering and design with native materials and traditions. These types of houses were often used by Spanish colonists, as well as Filipino mestizos who could afford these larger dwellings made of more expensive materials.

One notable difference these restored casas have from their classical counterparts is that they no longer have the same room divisions or fixtures one would expect from a colonial house out in the wild. Spaces that would have been a kitchen or office have instead been integrated into the whole suite as a living area or landing. These spaces are decorated with classy period-style furniture made by local craftsmen who still practice traditional woodworking and carpentry techniques.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar features six distinct food establishments spread across the estate, each with its signature cuisine and specialties that should not be missed.

Binondo Hall

A breakfast hall that serves a rich Filipino-style morning buffet. While there will be familiar items such as hams, eggs, and sausages, you can also find specialties such as champorado, a chocolate rice porridge often enjoyed during cold, rainy weather.

Cafe Del Rio

An outdoor-dining tapas restaurant set along the Umagol River, featuring a menu of traditional Iberian cuisine with Filipino touches. Some of their featured dishes include Mediterranean-style Pescado ala Sal, and Madrid's Callos a la Madrileña.

La Bella Teodora

Savor Italian favorites crafted via Spanish Colonial cooking methods. Enjoy a bottle of wine with your plates of pasta and brick oven-cooked pizza.

Kusina ni Nanay Maria

A Filipino feast awaits you here, each dish made using fresh produce and catches of the day. Try signature Filipino dishes you've likely never tried before, such as kare-kare, a stew of beef and ox tripe in rich peanut sauce. They also offer family meal sets meant to be shared by everyone.

Dapitan Bar

A beach bar inspired by the seaside city where the Filipino National Hero, Jose Rizal, spent his final years in bliss. Check out their menu of craft beers, signature cocktails, and selection of local and international brands.

La Parilla and Pica-Pica

A country's street food can be considered a reflection of its culture and identity. They offer a variety of local snacks, collectively called kakanin, made using local products such as rice and coconuts.

With such a vast estate with numerous spaces, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar can be turned into the perfect setting for your fairytale wedding. Whether it's a nontraditional ceremony or a faithful church wedding, the teams of Las Casas Filipinas will be glad to assist in making sure everything goes smoothly. Coordinate with them to plan out every detail, from the decor, themes, and food. They may even be able to refer services and staff such as planners, stylists, and decorators, for the event.

Planning to celebrate a special occasion while on holiday at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar? Book one of their special dining experiences as part of the commemoration. Couples can arrange for a tailored romantic evening dinner for their anniversary, while families or groups of friends can enjoy a **kamayan beach dinner** where you eat using your bare hands. There's also a special balsa raft dinner where you'll be eating while floating on the Umagol River.

Events

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a fantastic option for corporate gatherings; the resort setting provides plenty of ways to relax as well as bond with others, and there are also facilities available for official functions. Integrate team-building activities into your itinerary, encouraging different teams and departments to form new friendships. For venues, you have various options with can be scaled from small meetings to large conferences.