Bataan Peninsula
Bataan, Bataan
This peninsula sticks out in Manila Bay overlooking Corregidor Island and was the site of a heroic battle between combined American and Filipino Forces and the Japanese. The allied forces made a final stand to stop the Japanese aggression and delay the conquest of the Philippines. After the "Fall Of Bataan," a series of infamous Death Marches began in Mariveles and ended in Capas, Tarlac. Many American and Filipino soldiers died along the way. The entire historic march can be traced by following markers. At San Fernando, American soldiers were crammed into boxcars and transported to the infamous Camp O'Donnell. On April 7, 2000, former death march survivors and representatives of the Philippine government dedicated the "Battling Bastards Of Bataan" memorial at the Camp O'Donnell site. Paid for by members of the Battling Bastards Of Bataan organization, it honours the over 1, 600 Americans who perished there from inhumane treatment received from their Japanese captors. As a tribute to the gallantry and bravery of the American and Philippine Forces, the Philippine government erected a huge towering 60-foot cross on Mount Samat. For further information, visit www.bataansurvivor.com written by Mr. Rick Peterson
Bataan Provincial Capitol Building
Balanga City, Bataan
This building, formerly known as Casa Real, was built in the years 1792-1794 according to the plans of Domingo de la Cruz Gonzales, an architect when Charles IV was King of Spain,Rafael Maria de Aguilar was Governor General of the Philippines, and Domingo de Goyenechea was Alcalde Mayor of Bataan Province.The building became the headquarters of the Bataan Revolutionary Government from May 31, 1898 to January, 1900. From 1903 to 1906 it housed the provincial high school.
Flaming Sword
Pilar, Bataan
A symbol of the Filipino courage and gallantry in the face of adversary and external threats to the nation's democracy and peace.
Francisco Balagtas Monument
Orani, Bataan
Erected as a tribute to Francisco Balagtas who is hailed as the "Prince of Tagalog Poetry".
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (A Genesis Heritage Resort)
Bo. Pag-asa, Bagac, Bataan
LAS CASAS FILIP-INAS de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan, is a unique resort. It’s a replica of an old Filipino town with ancestral homes and buildings dating from the 18th to the early 20th century. There are no power lines and driving lanes, only lampposts and cobblestone roads.
Upon entry to the resort, one is instantly transported at least a hundred years back. Casa Mexico serves as the reception lobby while the grand Casa Byzantina is reminiscent of bits and pieces of the country’s European influences. The most notable detail, however, is the stillness of this little historical hodgepodge of a town.
Past life
Hotel manager TK Solvas said, “We want to introduce what we Filipinos had before, not what’s modern.” The tranquil environment, a forgotten luxury, is just one of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar’s offerings. José Acuzar, the resort’s owner, stumbled on the business because of his constant search for peaceful and quiet getaways with his own family, but local resorts always seemed full. He first built a rest house designed like an ancestral home and, soon after, was offered to buy and refurbish old Filipino houses. More than 10 years later, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar has been opened for day trips and overnight guests in its 22 houses, a number that continues to grow.
“Our objective is to preserve and showcase our past,” Solvas said. The ancestral houses have remained 85-90 percent of itself while the rest are replicated according to research, using narra and molave, Philippine hardwood. Houses originate from the northern part of the Philippines and Luzon such as Pampanga, Bulacan and Ilocos.
“No one takes care of these houses anymore and not a lot know how to sustain it,” Solvas said. Acuzar’s experience in construction as board chair of San José Builders Inc. has given him the knowledge on how to preserve them.
“We want to preserve and showcase our past,” Solvas said. Some of the houses were previously left to deteriorate before it was acquired by Acuzar. The other structures have been a shelter for informal settlers. “Some of those who’ve seen the houses in their original locations have said that now, the houses are able to breathe again,” she said.
The skillfully crafted architecture and interiors of the past are now showcased in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. “Yung luma, ’pag binihisan mo, lalong gumaganda,” Solvas said. Some of the interiors that dulled or were destroyed through time have been enhanced, but always in the same tradition as it was originally created.
The resort was designed to “showcase every corner of the house and its different periods,” Solvas said. Each house in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar boasts of a rich history and the hotel and resort management’s research team is devoted to learning and uncovering its different stories. Professor Eric Cerrudo is one of the resort’s historical advisers.
“Each house has a story,” Solvas said. Casa Lubao, for example, one of the most feminine houses in the resort bursting with floral furniture and wall and ceiling décor, produced generations of powerful women. Casa Hidalgo, the most beautiful mansion in its time and the first school of UP Fine Arts, was once the studio of Amorsolo. Casa Jaen, on the other hand, still bears bullet holes from attempted assaults at the governor general who lived in it.
Casa Jaen, from Quezon, was recently visited by a descendant of the Esquivel family who previously owned it. As a young woman, she promised herself to buy the house because of her childhood memories. But it was sold before she could acquire it. An article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer led her to its new home, and Solvas recalled she was teary-eyed upon seeing the house in all its former glory. “She was happy that it was well-preserved,” she said.
More than history
As a fully functioning resort, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar offers not just education but also rest and recreation. Water sports can be availed, as the resort is situated right next to the shore, and a batis-designed pool is available for guests to wade in. Casa Cagayan, the house on stilts, will soon be offering traditional massages or hilot for guests.
Traditional games such as sungka, patintero, and kwento ni Lola Basyang will also be offered to teach and remind guests that a simple and quiet lifestyle can still be enjoyed despite our fast-paced life and highly technological ways. But not everything is slow and old in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar.
A quick boat ride of less than 10 minutes to Yasa, a different area of the same shoreline the resort is located in, will satisfy guests who love the outdoors. It offers a cool swimming spot and 15-foot jump-off point into the clear blue waters. Guests can also have lunch at the picnic area at Yasa’s higher grounds with a view of the mountains, sky and South China Sea.
Soon Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar will open its doors for functions and corporate events. “We want to offer an opportunity to do away with modern structures,” Solvas said.
Art history
A large part of the resort’s charm and authenticity lies in its artwork. Ping Cerriola is the resort’s overseeing artist and heads a team of 15 artists. He directs and designs the furniture, paintings and interiors, and has been residing in the compound for the last two years.
Replicated furniture is also made of Philippine hardwood, copying the antique designs during the Spanish era. No new wood is used as most are taken from old houses. “Pinepyesahan namin yung mga lumang bahay at hindi kami gumagamit ng mga nail para sa furniture, kahoy lang,” Cerriola said.
Though Cerriola is known to be a modernist painter, he does oil paintings for Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar to stay true to tradition. To prepare, Cerriola also had to research on art history and the previous styles. Interior paintings have been fashioned also according to the design aesthetic of each house’s era. “Gusto namin mabalik yung tinitirahan ng mga illustrado,” Cerriola said.
Casa Hidalgo is the artists’ studio, from which Cerriola benefits from the house’s rich history. “Ang sarap ng feeling na sila Amorsolo, dito nagpinta. Kahit gabi, ini-imagine ko na katabi ko lang sila,” he said.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar will soon be following the period theme of each house with restaurants serving the delicacies of their origin and attendants dressed in period uniforms. Each house will also have an assigned manang to attend to housekeeping needs, such as shoe shine and ironing with charcoal and banana leaves.
“Here we want to encourage family bonding, because these days it’s the norm that both parents are working because of cost and quality of life thus sacrificing time with their family. We want to give them an opportunity to bond and for the parents to talk to the children and tell them of what they used to have,” Solvas said, emphasizing the beauty of a simple, content life. (Source: Ronna Capili , Philippine Daily Inquirer, 05/16/2010) Contact Information: Genesis Hotels & Resort Corp. (Manila Sales Office), Mezzanine Flr., Victoria Towers, Timog Ave., Quezon City Tel. No. (63 2) 332-5338 / 335-3032 or (63 2) 546-9123 (Bataan) Fax (63 2) 332-5286 Mobile 0923-903-2086 Email [email protected] Website: www.lascasfilipinas.com / TK Solvason (General Manager) Package A (Incl guide, lunch and snacks - P1,000 / pax Package B (incl guide and snack) - P650 per pax
Philippine - Japanese Friendship Tower
Bagac, Bataan
The monument symbolizes reconciliation, peace and friendship between the Philippines and Japan after World War II. Donated by the Japanese, it was built in 1952 by the Rissho Kosei Kai, a Japanese Buddhist sect.
Seki Tunnel
Clark, Pampanga
Situated at the northwest corner of the Kamikaze west airfield in a hill called "babang dapu" (meaning "crocodile jaw") as named by the Aetas.This is the only known Kamikaze tunnel that remained intact after World War II. It was constructed quickly as an air raid bunker for Cmdr. Taimai Asaichi - commander of the 201st Air Group, 1st Air Fleet, Imperial Japanese Navy, the very first Kamikaze unit of World War Il. It was constructed in late October 1944 and provided protection for Cmdr. Tamai and some of his Kamikaze pilots during deadly U.S. air raids. A marker was installed by the Clark Development Corporation on September 1, 2002.
Shrine of Valor
Pilar, Bataan
Located atop Mt. Samat is a towering monument called Shrine of Valor (Dambana ng Kagitingan) which is made of steel and concrete.The monument immortalizes the agony of Filipino and American soldiers in their struggle for freedom and independence against the Japanese forces during World War II. The huge Memorial Cross stands tall at 311-ft high or is equivalent to a 30-storey building. It is half as tall as its original model - the great cross of the Valle de los Caidas in Spain. Its 18x18m column is framed with steel and constructed with luminous materials for maximum lighting effect which when lighted can be seen at night from as far as the seawall in Manila Bay. Towering at 555 meters above sea level, the cross has an elevator, staircase ( with 414 steps up to the arms of the cross or a total of 513 steps to the head of the cross) and a viewing gallery in the arm of the cross. It features a Collonade composed of an altar, an esplanade, and a WWII memorial museum.
Additional Information:
The Dambana ng Kagitinganť, as completed and inaugurated in 1970, consists of the Colonnade and the huge Memorial Cross.
The Colonnade is a marble-capped structure with an altar, esplanage and museum. There are several historical depictions on the Colonnade which include the following: Stained Glass Mural behind the altar, 19 Scriptural Marble and Relief's and Parapet, 18 Bronze Insignias of USAFFE Division Units, 2 Bronze Urns (symbolic of the Eternal flame), 18 Flag poles with colors of USAFFE Divisions/Units and Inscriptions of the 'Battle of Bataan.'
The Memorial Cross is a towering structure (555 meters above sea level) of steel and reinforced concrete with an elevator and viewing gallery (arm of the cross). The height of the cross is 92 meters from the base. The height of the arms is 74 meters from the base. The length of the arm is 30 meters (15 on each side). The viewing gallery is 18 ft. by 90 ft. with a 7-foot clearance. The exterior finish of the cross at the base up to an 11-meter level is capped with 'Nabiag Nga Bato' sculptural slabs and sculptural bas-reliefs depicting significant battles and historical events. Above the base, the Cross is of 'chipped granolithic marble.'ť
From the Colonnade to the Cross is a 14-flight zigzagging footpath on the mountain slope, paved with bloodstones from Corregidor Island.
Surrender Site Marker
Balanga City, Bataan
Located inside Balanga Elementary School Grounds, this site was used as a command post by Lt. Gen. Homma at the time of Bataan’s Surrender wherein Major Gen. King and his party signed the documents for the surrender of the USAFFE forces in the Phlippines under a mango tree on April 9, 1942. Lt. Gen. Homma’s party were kept as hostages in the school house until after the USAFFE troops were rounded up and delivered as POW’s to the nearest Japanese units.
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