Sunday, July 23, 2017

Somewhere in Time at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

This is my second time in this place and I really would not mind going back for the third, fourth, and the nth time because of its unique character and charm.

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is truly a perfect travel destination, It is a romantic get-away for couples and a self-contained place which provide avenues for entertainment, relaxation and recreation for an ultimate group or family bonding . 


In a drop of a hat,  the resort brings you back somewhere in time. As a heritage park and a living museum , it showcases the Filipino history, our age-old customs, traditions and our country's distinctive craftmanship and ingenuity set in a community that was made to resemble those settlements in the 18th century.  Indeed it is a faux town, but it is the  most gorgeous of them all that I have ever seen even from abroad !

The owner, Architect Jose " Gerry" Acuzar, also of the famous San Jose Builders, purchased some old and neglected houses during those bygone days from the different parts of the country based on its historical, cultural and architectural values. These houses were delicately dismantled, precisely numbered and carefully transported to Bagac, Bataan.  In 2003, they were reassembled, reconstructed and restored brick by brick and plank by plank while the missing parts were meticulously replicated to resemble the original structures.    


The park was officially opened to the public in 2010,  with more or less 27 houses  rebuilt and restored.  To date, Las Casas has a total of 55 houses in display, ranging from noble-class mansions to wooden stilt houses of the less-privileged, spread all over the 400-hectare property. The grand main building which is made of stones proudly stands in a village of cobblestone streets. Of these 55 houses, however, there are only a few selected houses , around 5 or 6, which are included in the heritage tour.  Guests, upon removing their shoes, ( this is an old Filipino custom which shows respect to the owner of the house ),  are allowed to enter into these houses and take a closer look at its architectural details  and at all the things, usually antiques, found inside the "casas".

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar takes pride in giving each visitor a glimpse of the past while providing the luxuries and comfort of the modern times. It boasts of the three restaurants within the park that  satiate the gastronomic desires of the guests both from the Eastern and Western parts of the world.
For the aquatic maniacs, they have a batis-inspired swimming pool facing the beautiful West Philippine Sea and a vast private beach where you can stroll along the fine but not so white sand as you wait for the grand exit of the Sun King! Jet skis and other water sports paraphernalia are available for rent. While waiting for the heritage tour schedules, guests can play with the billiards, chess boards, sungka, and other local indoor games at Casa Lubao.

For the photo enthusiasts, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is the right place to be and probably the answer to your antiquated dreams. Every corner looks very 'instagrammy' as what they say.  Every shot will always be a hit and every click can always be a perfect profile pic!



Come and stroll with me along the memory lane of our latest visit in Las Casas with my sisters.  I had a great time capturing these moments and views. I do hope that you will enjoy looking at them too as much as I did when I took them.

Las Casas Filipins de Acuzar is a faux community but the most gorgeous of all that I have seen so far.


Tulay ni Lola Basyang replicates the Old Binondo Bridge


Sanctuario de San Jose Parish Church is one the main architectural highlights in Las Casas



I just so love this fire tree by the Umangol River


Casa Lemery
An early morning photo shoot by the Umangol River....Banjie, Eunice and Ela
Extension of the Umangol River at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

This time, yung balikbayan naman ang pumitik at kinuha ko ang puwesto nya...



I was fascinated by the intricate carvings of this door at the Hotel de Oriente.
Princess Fish, however, made it a bit more complicated....hahaha


Casa Hagonoy




At the azotea of Casa Luna



By the door of Casa Binan, Laguna



Ela at the Casa San Luis Pampanga


By the door of Casa Candaba



Ela with her favorite hat by the Y Bridge


It's Princess' turn




At Casa Gapan, Nueva Ecija



Bring out the child in you as play at The Paseo de Escolta

That famous Hotel de Oriente in Binondo now serves as the Convention Center in Las Casas




La Ribera Houses

The Umangol River and more traditional houses across



These buildings are the so-called La Ribera and as its name suggests, they're found along the canals/extensions
of the Umangol River.  This is one of the highlights of Las Casas where  the traditional houses are  being used
as hotel accommodations for visitors and guests.


Inside our flat, we have this small fountains which made the place more  inviting  and conducive for relaxation. 


This canal found along La Ribera is actually an extension of the Umangol River.  Feeling Venice lang, di ba?

These are the doors leading to the rooms at La Ribera


Eunice a.k.a. Princess Fish by the canal


And of course, I had mine, too!


What about having breakfast by the river?





The Batis-inspired pool



The vast private beach by the West Philippine Sea


















I still have a lot of photos to share, if you are still NOT CONVINCED to visit this place anytime soon.  Otherwise, share your photos with me.  Good day and God bless!



Tuesday, July 18, 2017

Cafe Ysabel ... Shall I Say Goodbye?

Nowadays, there is a profusion of "instagrammy" places and restaurants around Metro Manila and Café Ysabel in San Juan is no exception to this.  Its recent advertisement in the internet, however,  has caught my attention  informing the public that their  more than three decades  of journey in the restaurant industry will soon come to an end on the last day of July, 2017 , hence,  the whole staff encourages their patrons for the past years to enjoy this gastronomic place in its farewell stint.

For 35 long years,  this once a "neighborhood café" in San Juan  has found its place in the Philippine Restaurant history and has made its  laudable presence through the years with Chef Genie Gonzales steering the wheel.  It started from a  bitty restaurant along Wilson Street in Greenhills, San Juan,  in a small section of the family's abode  rented out by no less than Susan Roces and the former King of the Philippine Movies Fernando Poe, Jr.  Like any other business ventures, the first few years has never been easy for Café Ysabel and it took Chef Genie Gonzales  a 14-hour-a-day focus to get the smiles and praises of the restaurant's patrons and guests until it eventually emerged as a foodie mecca in San Juan for visiting tourists who were brought by their expatriate friends in Manila.  Café Ysabel soon became a group of restaurants  and found its home in an authentic 1902 ancestral house along P. Guevarra furnished with turn-of-the-century tables, chairs  and lamps oozing with nostalgic and romantic effects.

We were there last Sunday, July 16,  and the parking lot was full.  Customers waited for vacant tables and chairs and all the food and beverage associates were on their toes. If ever Café Ysabel will close its doors to its clientele for any reason,  one thing is for sure!  Many food enthusiasts will definitely lour  and  pull a face! Café Ysabel will leave a gap especially for the Filipino-Italian-Spanish food connoisseurs and it will take time for somebody else to fill it up!

For me, I just wanted to say " Thank you Café Ysabel. I'd better start looking for a place next to you!"

The front view of Café Ysabel


The door leading to the restaurant


There's something at Café Ysabel that will make you want to chill and  stay longer. 
Most probably, it is the old Spanish-Filipino set up that creates
a nostalgic ambiance coupled with mysticism and romance.


The hallway the leads to one of my favorite rooms.... The Ladies' Room!


The interiors of Café Ysabel will bring you back
somewhere in time.  While sitting on this chair,
I felt like looking for certain characters during
those bygone era!


Crunchy Asparagus with Tagaytay greens Salad in vinaigrette  coupled with
freshly-baked ciabatta bread dipped in balsamic vinegar
with olive oil gave us a real good start!



Our al dente Pasta Putanesca with lots of mushrooms, black olives, capers and sun-dried tomatoes
satiated our cravings for something Italian that day!



The desserts at Café Ysabel are like magnets that will attract you
and will keep you  coming back for more.  The strawberry
shortcake is their best seller.  But don't forget to try
their mango crepe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
It's heavenly!



The cake shop for the quick cake orders.



I love this spot in particular at Café Ysabel.  The relaxing view of the garden
through the glass windows and the scrumptious food served before you
truly make a perfect combination to make my day!


It's coffee time but  . . . thank you!  I don't drink coffee!



It's time to go but wait.... allow us to have  this souvenir shot
on the side stairs.



The balcony and the view of the garden



My souvenir shot at the stairs



Could this be my last photo here at Café Ysabel?  If it closes by the end of July, 2017,
definitely, this will be!