Playa La Caleta: Morong, Bataan

It was my second day in Bataan and the weather was looking good. Time to hit the beach! I was invited by a friend of mine, Mike, who also happens to be a beach weekend getaway organizer somewhere in Morong, Bataan. I have known something about the place because one of my friends has already visited the place. 

After spending my first day in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, I got excited to finally visit Playa La Caleta. I got even more excited when I was informed that I will be going there with a bunch of ladies. Our group is the 316th batch who will visit the place. It is always better to be late than never. 

After having breakfast in the City of Balanga, we all headed to Morong, Bataan through an hour bus ride. Then we were able to experience a 15 minutes boat ride going to Playa. It was all fun and I got excited as I enjoy my weekend with these six gorgeous ladies on the beach. 

"boarding"

"the survivors"

"overlooking Bataan Nuclear Power Plant"

The boat ride was smooth sailing. Fresh air breeze will greet you and landscapes are all amazing. You can see that mountains are green and that gives you the vibes of being far from the city. We got even more excited as we reach near the Playa. Boat was being docked and we all jumped off with excitement. This is what I really want as a vacation getaway, just nature and me! Feels like we own the place! It is just the six of us and the caretakers of the place. Whhheeeeewwww! 

We took a couple of minutes to rest before we began strolling over the place. I really had a great time taking pictures on the place. I even took selfie while on the hammock (nakailang kuha kaya ako diyan hehe). 

"practicing a selfie"

"this is life"

After putting sunblocks to protect us from getting sun burned, we began strolling the place. That's almost part 10:00 and the sun is striking hot. We enjoyed taking pictures at the tree house. That would be a great place to sleep during summer! We even had rock climbing (ganun talaga, malalim sa gilid eh, kaya push lang ang pagkapit sa mga bato, hehe). After taking so many pictures (marami talaga, kaya mabilis na-lowbat camera ko) we went back to the tents to have lunch. 

"the tree house"

"on the rock"

"rock climbing with the girls, LOL"

While waiting for lunch, photo bummer again! Haha. Forgive me but I was able to maximize my tripod with me. (Nahiya rin naman akong pakuha ng pakuha ng pictures sa mga kasama ko.) Taking pictures here and there. Getting some landscapes for my blog (feeling photographer, hehe). 

"chilling while waiting for lunch"

Now the moment we have been waiting for. Oh well, I have read some of the blogs that foods being served here was mouthwatering! Haha. Great enough to fill my so empty stomach (hindi talaga ako kumain ng marami sa umagahan para magpakabusog ako sa pananghalian, haha). Hungry stomach got filled! I will give that 4 stars! We even ate using our bare hands. How cool is that?! The lunch was being served on the stream. Imagine having lunch in the open field with running waters under you feet! Priceless! I can't even remember the menu, but all I can say is yumminess all over! (as in masaraaaap siya, burrrrps, sorry).

"lunch time"

After lunch, we had bonding moments underneath the tree. Sharing jokes and getting to know each other (may ganun talaga ha, hehe). I feel blessed that I was able to meet these ladies on my vacation. Who would have thought that they are all nice and down to earth ladies? Never did I encounter such group on my solo travels. That's a no joke! After that, Sir Mike handed our toiletries placed on the leaves of a tree, artistic! 

"bonding moments"

"toiletries"

We took some minutes to take a nap. After being re-energized, we strolled the western part of the beach, taking group selfies! Haha. Countless pictures on our cameras (galing ni Clangtots kumuha ng pictures). Whatever thing that comes to our mind, we did, just playing crazy on the place. After all it was like we owned the place for two days. 

"group selfie

"Playa Heroes"

When we get back on our tents, it's merienda time (oo, kainan nanaman, grabe talaga, parang di pa nga ako natutunawan noon at kain nanaman, hahahaha). We burned the calories through swimming until sunset. What could have been a great place for photography if it was during summer. The sky would have been so picture perfect! 

"dessert for afternoon snack"

"sunset at Playa"

"malayuang tingin"

After dinner (grabeng busog ko talaga noon, nakalimutan ko na mga kinain namin, hehe), bonfire was set before the rain drops. What do you expect, it is rainy season. Still, we had time to experience bonfire on the beach (tagal ko ng di na-experience yan, parang highschool pa ang last ko). To add more excitement on our trip, we also had a cocktail party. We play cards and whoever lose the game will take a glass of alcohol. Haha! (mababait na dalaga, hindi talaga sila nag-iinom) but I salute them for being game on the challenge (lalo nila akong pinahanga). 

Spent the night on the beach without any current and no disturbances. Sleeping on the beach just the waves flashing on the shores! Whheeeewwww! Life can't get any better that this!

"bonfire with raindrops"

After breakfast! See the menu below! What can you say?! Well, it was good enough to make ourselves conquer the whole area. We went strolling and photo bumming on the nearby islet. We took time to take pictures as many as we can. We all had cliff jumping, such a great experience for us. At first, I was also hesitant (lakas ba naman ang hampas ng alon) to do it but then I realized, it's once in a lifetime experience to be on that place so I did and so with my colleagues. We even hiked! Yes we did! That was such an awesome experience with the girls. 

"menu breakfast, yum yum yum"

"breakfast together"

To sum it up, the experience I had in Playa La Caleta was superb! Speechless I must say. It is all about great memories. New friendships created. It made me realized how happy to explore new places like this. Meeting new people, sharing laughter and making sweet memories that will take your breathe away. I won't stop traveling and I will keep meeting people along the way. Definitely I will see these ladies again soon! They made my trip memorable. 

Saverde: Abucay, Bataan

After a whole day of visiting some places in Bataan, I really need to fill my stomach with the mouthwatering food that the province has to offer. My friend recommended me to visit Saverde in Abucay which is just a couple of minutes from the busy city of Balanga. 

Surprisingly, the cafe was crowded when we arrived. It took us about 5-10 minutes to get a table. I have noticed that the area seems like a portion of the house which was later converted into cafe. The cafe is good enough to occupy more or less 50 persons (I think).

The Menu

Looking at their menu, it is really on the budget! So affordable yet so delicious! I tried their beef tapa which I think is their best seller. Also add on my plate the ever mouthwatering buttermilk toast that costs only P20.00! I ordered avocado shake for my drinks! Yum! Dinner was great and enough to make my intestines stretched a bit! Haha :)

Beef Tapa!

Buttermilk Toast :)

Avocado

Little did I know that television show "Ang Pinaka" and "Biyahe ni Drew" already visited the place! I also now recommend to visit this place once you visited the province of Bataan! Budget friendly yet the experience is unforgettable. I will definitely go back and eat here! 

Friendship Tower: Bagac, Bataan

After spending a couple of hours in Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, we went back to Balanga City. Along the road we passed-by on this great tower. Took time to stop and to have pictures. The tower is about 27 meters tall and composed of three pillars interconnected by several multi-layer rings. 

The Japan-Philippines Friendship Tower was erected in Bagac, Bataan. Erected by the a Japanese Buddhist organization that served as a sign of friendship and peace between Japan and the Philippines. The tower was inaugurated on April 8, 1975, eve of the Philippine Day of Valor (Araw ng Kagitingan) which commemorates the fall of Bataan to the Japanese invasion and the Bataan Death March during World War II. 

"The sound of the bell of the Friendship Tower

It shows prayer for those 

Who died in action

The Sound of the Bell

It expands our missionary minds

Hoping for Friendship and Peace

The Sound of the Bell

May the mysterious melody

Establish the Eternal Peace on Earth."

Rev Nikkyo Niwano

President, Rissho Kosei Kai

April 8, 1975

Bataan Death March Zero Km Marker: Bagac, Bataan

I also have the opportunity to visit the Zero Km Marker in Bagac, Bataan. This marks the start of the Death March of the American and Filipino Soldiers in 1942 going to Camp o'Donnell in Capas, Tarlac. It is believed that an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 Filipinos died in this historic march. 

Taking pic at the Zero Km marker!

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar: Bagac, Bataan

I have been reading blogs about this place in Bataan and got me wanting to visit the place. I included this on my itinerary so I can finally visit the old houses built near the metro. Got the day tour so I can also visit some other places in Bataan. Day tour was worth it. Come join me as I explore the area. 

CASA CAGAYAN

There presently stands four (4) houses along the shoreline of the property, which where originally from Cagayan province. During the early 1900's, these houses were referred to as the Poor Man's Houses.

The typical house was built on stilts with the tree trunks in its natural shape used as posts in order to give its residents extra space for relaxation, storage and livelihood activities. 

CASA LUNA

The Mansion was originally owned by  a prominent Novicio Family of Namacpacan, La Union and it was built in circa 1850. Namacpacan, now called Luna, was named in honor of the famous Luna Brothers. Antonio Luna, the general and Juan Luna, the painter. 

The immense symmetrical house was constructed on a square plan typical of the Ilocano Bahay na Bato. The ground floor was used as a chochera for the carriages and bodega of garlic, onions and tobacco that were harvested at different times of the year. 

The second floor, where the bedrooms are distributed around the grand living room, is shielded by the volada on the entire length of the facade. On the rear portion of the second floor is a grand dining room serviced by an equally large kitchen area with an azotea. Toilet and bathroom are located adjacent to the azotea. The well that supplies the house with water is below azotea, in the rear yard. 

The Novicio house became a rendezvous of important gathering and meeting during the liberation period on the latter part of the Japanese occupation in 1942. It also became a headquarter of the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines, Northern Luzon (USAFIL-NL), where they planned the operation for the capture of General Yamashita.   

CASA LUBAO

The Lubao House is a family's ancestral home. Valentin Arrastia and Francisca Salgado, buit the plantation house in Lubao, Pampanga in the early 1900s. It sat directly in front of the Lubao Municipal Hall. During the WWII, the Japanese took possession of the house and used it as a garrison. 

The original structure of the house had a wooden upper floor and concrete ground floor, a variation of the "bahay na bato" style of architecture - combining Filipino, Spanish and American design elements. It had large room and high ceilings. And in typical colonial design, it had straight, grand staircase that led directly up to the front door. 

I was really amazed on the history of every house built on the place. As we went to the next house, I took time to capture other places within the vicinity. Weather was looking great for taking photographs. 

bridge connecting to Hotel de Oriente 

Hotel de Oriente on process...

The Pool 

CASA BINAN (Alberto House)

This two story house reputed to have been originally built by Gregorio Alonzo in the 16th Century, is located in front of Binan Plaza, Laguna. The ownership passed to one of his sons, (Cipriano representative of the Spanish Cortez and also Jose Rizal's maternal grandfather). Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo's daughter was Teodora Alonzo later known as Teodora Morales Alonzo Realonda y Quintos (Mother of Rizal), who eventually inherited the house and expanded it in the 18th centuy.   

CASA HIDALGO

Built in 1867, the mansion, filled with ionic capitals from the colonnaded sidewalk, to the columns found in the balcony front, was designed by the first Filipino to practice architecture in the Philippines during the Spanish era, Felix Roxas y Arroyo, for the family of Rafael Enriquez. Originally located at the corner of Calle San Sebastian (now R. Hidalgo St.) and Callejon de Carcer in Quiapo District, Manila. The house was considered the most elegant in the entire country during the Spanish regime, as narrated and decribed by American historian A.M. Norton sometime 1908 and 1909. 

The mansion was the used as the first campus of the University of the Philippines School of Fine Arts with Enriquez as its first director from 1909 to 1926, before his death in 1927. It was also the first school of Architecture in the Philippines. 

CASA BALIUAG 1

CASA TONDO

PASEO DE ESCOLTA

The strip of supposedly commercial structures are replicas of the typical Escolta Buildings  in Manila during the early 1900s. Buildings during the said era had stores and shops on the ground floor and hotels on the 2nd and 3rd floors which then catered to transients and tourists. 

CASA BIZANTINA

The Casa Bizantina house is a bahay na bato at the corner of  Madrid and Penarubia Streets in San Nicolas, Binondo. The ground storey is built of stone and bricks while the upper storeys were made of various Philippine hardwood. The structure was typical of the bahay na bato in order to protect the inhabitants from earthquakes. Galvanized iron sheets are used for the roofing. 

Door Entrance

Living Room

One of the rooms of Casa Bizantina

Hermes Toiletries

After an hour tour, I also took time to visit the places where we were not able to visit. It was great to see a grotto within the premises.

The day tour to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar was great. Feels like I have lived in the past for an hour of my life. So amazed on the old architectures. So much joy to see these old houses in just one place. 

Exit Wall