8 June 2015 Bagac, Bataan—Delegates from Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies are set to converge at Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a landmark resort in Bagac, Bataan as the Philippines hosts the APEC Workship on Fiscal Management Through Transparency and Reforms on 9-10 June and the APEC Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting on 11-12 June 2015.

 

Bataan is a province steeped in history, remembered for the Death March prisoners of war were made to undertake during World War II. Las Casas, located in the smallest and oldest towns of Bataan, melds history and heritage together as a celebration of Filipino culture and craftsmanship. Renowned art collector and architect Jose Rizalino “Jerry” Acuzar put his New San Jose Builders behind the herculean project to rebuild the past through the restoration of houses that make up the 400-hectare heritage resort.

 

According to Las Casas, the houses date from the 18th to 19th centuries and constellate the recreated village of cobblestone streets, small plazas and outdoor sculpture. Houses within Las Casas are mostly relocated and reconstructed with materials sourced from old houses from different parts of the country, while some mirror already existing structures. A grand replica of the Hotel de Oriente in Binondo, Manila now sits on the bank of a river, making for a picturesque scene for the APEC delegates.

 

At present, there are 27 structures in the recreated town, lined along streets that Las Casas aims to transform guests into “voyeurs of history.” Among those restored are historical principalia, or mansions of the noble class, bahay na bato, or houses of stone, as well as wooden and stilt houses. Las Casas is on track to recreate 50 houses as part of its rebuilding target. This December, a fully functional train will be able to take guests around the resort town.

 

APEC meetings will be held at the Hotel de Oriente, while delegate guest rooms will consist of a mix of old casa and apartment types of lodging. Among them are beachfront La Puesta del Sol, and the La Ribera, featuring a river canal à la Venice, as well as the Casas San Luis, Jaen I and II, Meycauayan, and the Paseo de Escolta.

The heritage resort contains 6 restaurant and bars, namely: La Bella Teodora, which was formerly located at Binan Laguna and owned by Teodora Alonzo, offering Italian Cuisine; Café Marivent, which offers Filipino-Spanish cuisine; La Panaderia, which offers bread, cakes and pastries inspired from recipes centuries-old. Comida de la Calle offers street foods and native Filipino favorites, while La Parilla and Taberna Senor Pepe serve sumptuous meals.

Las Casas Filipinas’ commitment to Filipino culture and the arts is best seen in the Escuela de Bellas Artes, formerly Casa Quiapo, designed by Felix Roxas y Arroyo, the first Filipino to practice Architecture during the Spanish era. Casa Quiapo was considered as one of the most finest examples of Philippine Architecture during the Spanish Colonization era. Today, Escuela de Bellas Artes features the works of Alfredo Esquillo Jr., Renato Habulan and Geraldine Javier.

 

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima looked forward to the start of the meetings saying, “We walk the talk when we say, ‘it’s more fun in the Philippines.’ We did not opt for a conventional hotel, we wanted to deliver a unique experience. I think APEC delegates are in for taste of refined hospitality in Bagac as they bask in the past while charting the region’s future.

 

When delegates remember APEC 2015 in Bagac, we want them to recall not only which regional priorities they successfully advanced, but that they did it where beauty defied time and space.”