Bagac is a town in Bataan, Central Luzon, the Philippines. It is a resort town famous for its beaches and Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a collection of colonial-era residences and buildings from the Spanish era.
Understand
[edit]Situated at the rugged western coast of the Bataan peninsula, Bagac was mostly a quiet provincial town until World War II, when it became a battleground in the Battle of Bataan as it contained a key junction in the formed the western sector of the primary Allied defensive line against approaching Japanese forces, which culminated in the Allied surrender on April 9, 1942. It was one of two starting points of the Bataan Death March, the other being Mariveles.
After the war, Bagac slowly prospered as it became a stopover for employees heading to the refugee processing center and the nuclear power plant in neighboring Morong, while since 2010, construction magnate Jerry Acuzar, a native of Bagac, built Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a seaside luxury resort featuring transplanted colonial-era residences and buildings from the Spanish era.
Get in
[edit]From eastern Bataan, Governor J.J. Linao Highway leads west from Pilar and involves a passage through a mountain pass between Mounts Mariveles and Natib. At the Japan-Philippines Friendship Tower, visitors heading to Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar and Morong turn right, while those heading to downtown Bagac and Mariveles turn left.
An alternate route is from Olongapo via Morong, but also involves going through a secluded, two-lane road passing through rugged terrain and jungle and is mostly unlit at night.
Bagac is connected by minibuses to the provincial capital Balanga. The main drop-off is at the Japan-Philippines Friendship Tower.
- 1 Bagac-Balanga Transport Terminal, Gov. JJ Linao Highway, Atilano L. Ricardo.
Get around
[edit]Tricycles are the main form of transportation between barangays.
See
[edit]By municipal law, all non-resident tourists to Bagac are required to pay an environmental fee of PHP40 when entering resorts and most tourist destinations.
- 1 Zero Kilometer Death March Marker, T. Camacho Street corner Bagac-Mariveles Road, Barangay Poblacion, Mariveles (Between Jollibee and McDonald's and directly beside the Mariveles Public Library). A marker commemorating the starting point of the Bataan Death March for Allied soldiers who were garrisoned in Bagac, which markers continuing to trace their route until Pilar in eastern Bataan, where they merged with the main body of soldiers coming in from Mariveles.
- 2 Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Governor J.J. Linao National Highway, Barangay Banawang, Bagac (Turn right past Bagac town proper in the direction of Morong and find the junction leading to the resort, which is marked by a dirt road composed of compact white sand.). A living museum housing a growing collection of Spanish-era buildings, which are either reconstructions, replicas or houses dismantled and reassembled from across various towns in the Philippines. The site’s replica of Balanga Cathedral is a favorite wedding venue for those willing to splurge.
- 3 Japan-Philippines Friendship Tower, Gov. JJ Linao Highway corner Bagac-Mariveles Road, Atilano L. Ricardo. A memorial to Japanese-Filipino reconciliation after World War II featuring a Japanese peace bell.
- 4 Bagac Church (Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Catherine of Alexandria), J.P. Rizal St., Poblacion (facing Bagac Plaza). Bagac's main Roman Catholic church, built partially from coral stone.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]- 1 Bagac Public Market, J.P. Rizal corner A. Mabini Streets, Ibaba.
- 2 7-11, Gov. JJ Linao Highway, Atilano L. Ricardo (beside Petron gas station).
Eat
[edit]- 1 Hideout, Sitio Salapao, Barangay Banawang. A secluded cafe serving chicken wings, pasta and burgers.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Krossroads Restobar/Inn, Gov. JJ Linao Highway, Atilano L. Ricardo. An open-air restobar with KTV and accommodation.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Governor J.J. Linao National Highway, Barangay Banawang, Bagac (Turn right past Bagac town proper in the direction of Morong and find the junction leading to the resort, which is marked by a dirt road composed of compact white sand.). Some of the complex's buildings have been converted to accommodations for varying prices. Standard accommodations can be found in the reconstructed apartment complexes facing the beach, while more luxurious options include renting out entire colonial houses. There is a also a spa and three restaurants serving Filipino, Spanish and Italian cuisine, but not all of them may be open at the same time depending on the number of guests.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Bagac |
| Olongapo ← Morong ← | W  E
|
→ Pilar |