Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar of Bagac Bataan: Heritage Tour and Photo Tips (Part 1)

Whether you're interested in architecture, history, Spanish era gossips or taking Instagrammable photos, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is a must visit.

We availed of their Heritage Tour.  They offer different packages depending on your preference. 

Package and Inclusions	Price
Welcome drink 30 minutes to 1 hour guided Heritage walking tour Entrance fee and use of beach area Vicinity map Cold towel All taxes and service charges	1,500 php
Walking tour River cruise Kalesa ride Access to Hotel De Oriente Family lunch	2,000 php
County shuttle (Pickup: 8am and Departure: 4pm) Walking tour River cruise Kalesa ride Access to Hotel De Oriente Family lunch	3,000 php

 We availed of the package for 1,500 php. 

 Registration

There are lots of sights and sceneries there so we got to view a lot before we even reached the Casa New Manila Quezon City for registration.

You can recognize Casa New Manila Quezon City with these statues on the outside.

 While our booking was being verified.  We took the chance to gaze on the balcony for this view.

Morning Tour

We picked up our tour guide at Accessoria 2 along La Puesta Del Sol.

La Puesta Del Sol is what Binondo should have been if it was not destroyed by World War II.

There's a tram way in the middle of the street.

At the back is the La Ronda De Estero De Binondo where you can watch the Balsas pass by.

There's a pathway leading to Casa Irosin, Casa Balanga and Casa Gapan.

Another path way leads to Plaza Marcelino.

Along the way, you can see that some parts are still being constructed.  While we were there, some lamp posts are broken and the pool area is unfinished.

I imagine the place being stunning at night with the lamps but it will also require more photography gears to capture.

We were also able to view some of their amenities and private casas.  See Part 2.

So if you want to have Instagrammable photos, here are my photography tips.

1. Wear proper clothes. 

• If you want to include yourself in the photo.  It is better if you could match your attire with the atmosphere.  If you're visiting on a summer day morning like we did where the sun is scorching hot, bring a hat or umbrella, shades and comfortable clothes and foot wear.

2. Take your time.

•  Take your time to observe.  Look at the environment on a big picture aspect.  Best to take photos in landscape and panoramic mode.  If you can't take good pictures while on a tour, allocate some free time to take photos after.

3. Bring the proper gear.

• If you're going during day time, you can be assured of good lighting as long as it's sunny.  If you're spending the night, best to bring a tripod or a good camera for night shots.

 4. Observe the source of light.

• If you're visiting during the day time, the strong light source will also produce evident shadows so pay attention.

5. Have fun and be creative.

•  Have fun and be creative with your shots.  There are tons of opportunity to be creative and create your unique shot that sets yours apart from the many visitors. 

There you have it!  We Travel Tripsters hope you enjoy your visit at Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar too.

See Out Top 10 Things to Do in Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar (Part 2) there.

Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar
Address	Brgy. Ibaba, Bagac, Bataan, 2107, Philippines
Budget Per Person for Heritage Tour	1,500-3,000 php	Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (even holidays) 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Reservation Required	No (Encouraged)
Contact	(632) 332-5286 / 877-4501 / 332-5338 / 355-3032 | (63917) 872-9361

Read More

Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake: Pristine Lake View (Part 2)

After the 4x4 ride, we were all excited to begin our trek to Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake. 

There were so many rocks and stones in various colors and shapes.  I found it relieving that I came prepared with my trekking sandals.

Our Tour Guide

But even if you don't have trekking sandals, not to worry because the guides will assist you in every step of the way.  They will hold your hand as you cross the river and point out where to step through the rocky trails.  

Some of the streams are trickled with minerals:sulfur. 

Trekkers giving them candy.  I wonder if they know how to brush their teeth.

Since the pre-Spanish era until the eruption of Mount Pinatubo on June 1991, Mount Pinatubo and its nearby areas are inhabited by the Aetas.   It's quite sad that their population now is only in thousands.  They are protected under the Indigenous People Republic Act (IPRA) of 1997.

Happy to see an old Aeta woman.  Did you know that the average life span of an Aeta is 27 years old?

With the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, the soil became acidic making it difficult for them to farm naturally and organically as they used to.   In 1996, the Aetas received a legal recognition of their ancestral domain for Mount Pinatubo. In November 2009, the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) issued a certificate of ancestral domain title (CADT) covering Mount Pinatubo.

Aeta kids playing

Tourism in Mount Pinatubo began in 1999 as an alternative source of income for the residents of Capas Tarlac (80% of which are Aetas) and it has won several awards for tourism projects: PATA Gold International Award 2001, Kalakbay National Award 2001 and ASEANTA International Award 2002.

You can see stone balancing arts which are made by the Aeta kids along the trail.

My favorite parts of the trek are the streams. 

While many would recommend trekking early to avoid the sun.  I think trekking under the sun rays has its benefits such as being able to appreciate the bright and vivid colors of nature.

The sun makes the water glisten...  

and the leaves so green.

The clouds are also bluer.

So if its me, I'd rather be exposed to the sun than not to see this kind of beauty.  Besides, our Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock Extreme X80 With SPF 80 and Dermplus Moisturizing Sunblock Ultimate U130 With SPF 13 protected us well from the uv rays of the sun.  My yellowish Chinese skin didn't even turn red.

This sign by the rest huts brought us great relief!  Knowing how near we were to the Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake motivated us to go on further.  We also tried to beat the senior citizen pace but failed.  There are rest rooms here and my companions also bought some ice candy (20 php) and Gatorade (100 php).

These rocky steps are beautiful but they really challenged my knees.

We've gone all the way up and this is it...  There's a park and portalets making this area the picnic and resting nest for the trekkers. 

Hundred steps down and then up

Just a few more steps down to reach the Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake.  Coming on a Saturday, they were already hundreds ahead of us.

When we got done, our Tripinas gave us an quick history of Mount Pinatubo.  We were also advised to stay until after noon time because it usually drizzles around 1 pm.  A lot of people set up a picnic by the lake and eat their packed lunch there. 

It took us around 2 hours to reach here and it's totally worth it!

If you're lucky, the crater water (accumulated rainwater) changes color because of the algae. 

Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake

After this, it's another 45 trek down where you came from. ;)

Overall, we Travel Tripsters had so much fun reaching Mount Pinatubo Crater Lake!  Definitely worth every step.  So have fun and stay sunscreen protected!

Mount Pinatubo Crate Lake
Address	Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines
Budget Per Person (c/o Trip Pinas)	1,790 php	Mount Pinatubo Crate Lake Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (even holidays) 4 am-7am
Reservation Required	Yes
Contact

Read More

My Favorite Art Pieces at Pinto Art Museum (Photoblog Entry)

Pinto Art Museum is composed of art in many forms.  Checkout my tour of the place here.  Now, let me share with you my favorite art pieces.  These are the art works that struck me the most.

Like what you see?  I'm sure they have more that will pique your interest. 

We Travel Tripsters insist that you visit Pinto Art Museum.  It will definitely broaden your perspective.

Pinto Art Museum
Address	Sierra Madre St., Grand Heights Subdivision San Roque Antipolo, Rizal, Philippines
Ticket Price	Regular - 180 php Students w/ ID - 100 php Kids 3 yrs old & below - FREE  Senior Citizen - 150 php	Pinto Art Museum Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Tuesday to Sunday: (even holidays) 9 am - 6 pm
Reservation Required	No
Contact	(632) 697-1015

Read More