Contrary to initial
belief, the Philippines is a country teeming with culture and heritage often
overlooked in favor of our South East Asian neighbors. Thanks to the resurgence
of conservation groups and the various programs of the Department of Tourism,
culture trips are quickly gaining the attention of travelers. Near Metro Manila
alone, one can list down a selection of landmarks and destinations preserving
our rich set of culture and traditions. For those looking to bring their balikbayan relatives and friends to a
place that best epitomizes the Philippines’ character, check out this partial
list of must-see cultural laden places near Metro Manila.
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| Pretty Old Houses in Taal Town, Batangas |
Villa Escudero (Quezon)
A favorite among balikbayans because of unique dining ambiance—boodle
style—set at the foot of their famous man-made ‘waterfalls’, Villa Escudero—unbeknownst
to many—houses a vast collection of cultural and historical trove inside a
museum located in the property. The Escudero family’s collection are a source
of copious information about our country’s colorful history and local arts. Apart
from the Escudero Museum, you can also
visit the heritage houses: Escudero
Mansion and Casa Consuelo.
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| The Villa Escudero Museum is housed in this replica of a Spanish-era Church |
Villa Escudero also
regularly present cultural shows showcasing traditional dances from all over
the country. I was fortunate to meet Don Ado himself, during our visit there. Read
more about our interesting encounter with Don Ado and what we saw inside
his personal home.
Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (Bataan)
Located in a scenic
seaside in Bagac, Bataan, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar covers a large property
put together like a visual time machine to the past. Composed of ancestral
houses rebuilt from original materials collected from various locations in the
country, it remains as contentious topic among heritage conservationists (whether removing old houses from their
original sites is a good preservation practice?). Controversy aside, one cannot
dismiss how Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar beautifully re-imagines the charming
vibe of olden Philippine towns through the numerous restored 17th-19th century houses
that came to life once again.
Globetrotting travel writer Karla Ramos describes her experience visiting Las Casas: “I love all the pretty historical houses, each, having their own history and purpose. I would actually love to get the chance to stay in one of those. It’s amazing to see the intricate decors and the style that influenced the architecture of our ancestors. Filipinos have always been rich in design and in culture. It’s good to remind ourselves of that. We have a lot to be proud of.”
Nayong Pilipino (Clark, Pampanga)
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| Some of the cultural performers at Nayong Pilipino |
Heritage, arts, history
and even replicas of famous landmarks in the country, proliferates inside
Nayong Pilipino—thus making it a one-stop destination for anyone who want to learn
more about Filipino culture. This five hectare property houses various
representation of Philippine arts and culture through mock-ups of a Spanish-era
church, traditional houses and even the famed rice terraces of Banaue. An
entertaining cultural show featuring folk dancers and singers adorned in colorful
traditional costumes are held daily.
Taal Town (Batangas)
The rustic Taal
town in Batangas takes you back in time when you step inside some of the
century-old houses in the area. There’s quite a few Spanish era residences open
for visitors such as; the Don Leon Apacible house, Doña Gliceria Marella
Villavicencio Residence, the Agoncillo Mansion, Doña Marcela Marino Agoncillo
and Casa Punzalan. Nearby, one can also visit the Shrine of the Virgin Caysasay
and the Taal Basilica or otherwise known as Basilica de San Martin.
Angono Artist Village (Rizal)
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| National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco’s “Pageant of Commerce”. |
Angono’s resident poet and
artist Celine Reyes validates the
worthiness of her hometown, when it comes to cultural and art immersion trips.
“While its neighbors boast hiking trails
and scenic views, Angono’s strength lies in its character. Steeped in art and
creativity, the town’s thoroughfares double as galleries. There is art
basically everywhere you look. Art enthusiasts would surely enjoy a visit to
this lakeside town.”
