Hitting the ground running within moments of our arrival at Bicol International Airport, we headed to the picturesque Sumlang Lake where a filling grub was made more memorable by the beautiful backdrop of Mayon Volcano. A demonstration of preparing the native cuisine Pinangat and the process of stripping and weaving abaca, followed by a scenic bamboo raft ride rounded off our stay before departing for the town of Bacacay shortly before sunset.
Flavorsome Heirloom Cuisine & Heritage Vibe at Casa Simeon | Albay
Reeling after the exhausting day that began when I woke up at five AM after returning from Davao to Manila the previous evening, I wished we would go straight to our lodging so I could rest up for the remainder of our six-day trip of the Bicol region.
However, as soon as we got to our dinner location, all feelings of weariness in my body were swiftly replaced by captivation as Casa Simeon arrested my attention. Magically positioned against the dimming blue skies, my line of sight quickly focused on the wooden structure of the second floor and the distinctive bahay na bato foundation of the ground floor.
Ancestral Bed and Breakfast House
As part of the #PTIPBicol2022 media familiarization tour organized by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, we arrived to a cultural performance spectacle. The instant we stepped foot inside, a group of young men and women adorned with colorful clothing greeted us before hurriedly performing a traditional dance called the "Sinakiki"—a courtship dance that originated in the municipality of Rapu-Rapu in Albay.
Following the performance, we took our seats at the second-floor dining hall. The rooms located on both sides of the hallway were transformed into charming accommodations — totaling nine rooms of Family Room, De Luxe Queen, and De Luxe Twin classifications.
Apart from the restaurant and lodging features, Casa Simeon also had a library, a coffee shop, and outdoor dining in the garden. Simeon and Beatrice Alparce originally owned and constructed the home in the 1920s, but it was momentarily abandoned during World War II when the Japanese forces blitzed through the town of Bacacay, forcing the Alparce family to flee and hide for safety.
Expecting the worst, the Alparce couple was delightfully surprised to discover the house unscathed when they returned at the end of the war. In what could be a good omen of things to come, the house then survived numerous typhoons and earthquakes. Nevertheless, as father time remained unbeatable against all living creatures, the passage of time brought the same effect to structures no matter how strong. When the new millennium rolled in, it became evident that the future Casa Simeon would need to go through some refurbishment.
In 2018, the Alparce's grandson Enrico Alparce Calleja led the restoration of his grandparents' dream house and baptized it with a new name: Casa Simeon. He then also transformed it into a specialty lodging serving heirloom recipes.
Casa Simeon co-owner and Enrico Alparce Calleja's wife Jessica Noelle Wong pointed out the unique experience of staying in a century-old Spanish-colonial house: "You not only sense the warmth of the wood beneath your feet, you also get a feel of the culture and history of the Philippines."
After eating more than I should since we were served with a buffet menu of Cosido (Bicol's version of fish stew), Bicol Chicken Tinola, Kare-Kare, and one of the most satisfying lechon kawali I've ever had, I imagined how awesome it would be if I could stay in one of Casa Simeon’s rooms afterwards.
It would be charmingly lovely waking up in an ancestral bed and breakfast the next morning. Well, that’s something to look forward to next time.
