TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE RUINS IN TALISAY

Located in the middle of the vast sugarcane fields, The Ruins which is also known as the Taj Mahal of Negros Island in the central region of the Philippines is a quiet reminder of a beautiful love story and affluent lifestyle.

It all began in 1900 when Don Mariano Lacson built this house for his lovely Portuguese wife, Dona Maria Braga. But tragedy struck so early that Maria did not live long to enjoy family life with Mariano and the children in that house.

When the second world war (WW II) reached the shores of the island, Mariano's house was destroyed to prevent the Japanese Imperial Army to use it as their headquarters. The fire that gutted the house went for a week but the frames and posts of the house withstood the test of fire, so to speak. Descendants of the owners believed that the A-grade mixture of concrete enabled the house to stand firm. Look at them closely when you visit the Ruins. Today, that piece of architecture resembles an Italian influence and its columns suggest its Neoclassical origin.

The Ruins is located in the Hacienda between the cities of Talisay and Bacolod in the central part of the province. There are regular flights that connect Bacolod City, the capital of the province to Manila, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro. There are inter-island ships that connect Bacolod from Iloilo. From Iloilo, there are flights coming from Manila, Cebu, and Palawan. From Cebu, buses also ply the Cebu-Bacolod land trips (via Ro-Ro vessel).

What is the best time to visit The Ruins? October each year is Masskara Festival in Bacolod City. The highlight of the festival is October 19 where the grand parade and street dancing with masskara dancers participating takes place in the city's main thoroughfares.

Bacolod has world-class hotels and restaurants and bars. The whole stretch of Lacson Street is alive and kicking during the Masskara Festival. You can check the website of bacolodcity.gov.ph for a comprehensive information.

From Bacolod, travelers can also explore the nearby tourist attractions like Mambukal Resort and the Kanlaon Volcano National Park areas, the heritage houses of Silay City, the beaches and islands at Sipalay, the Carbin Reef at Sagay and the Church of the Angry Christ in Victorias City.

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All photos by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre.