PHILIPPINES MANSION OF LOVE AT THE RUINS

THE RUINS AT TALISAY

By Henry Libo-on, Blogger at Touristang Pobre

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Photo by Henry Libo-on of Touristang Pobre.

The Story of The Ruins

Mariano married Maria Braga and built a mansion that stands for his love of his wife Maria. 

This house was constructed circa 1920 by Mariano Lacson for his Portuguese wife Maria Braga.  The story goes that Mariano met Maria in Macao and soon they got married. During their married life Mariano commissioned the best architects to build a house for his wife and his family. Maria had 10 children when tragedy struck and she did not live long enough to live in this house with her husband and children. 

When World War II broke out, the island of Negros was occupied by the Japanese Imperial Forces. The family decided to burn the house so that the Japanese cannot use it for any purpose.  But the fire that gutted the house went on for several days. When it stopped the house was not completely burned.  The frame of the entire house was left standing.  That is what you see today.  

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The ruins of the mansion were abandoned by the Lacson family for 67 years.  In 2007, the new owners, the grandchildren of Mariano Lacson and Maria Braga, specifically Raymond Javellana, decided to clean the place and made efforts to preserve the ruins of the mansion. The following year in 2008, The Ruins received its first wave of visitors. 

When it was opened for public viewing, the beautiful love story of Mariano Lacson and Maria Braga was again told to the visitors.   Today, so many tourists come to the Province of Negros Occidental and one of their favorite destinations is The Ruins, now known as the Taj Mahal of Negros Island.

Today that piece of architecture resembles an Italian influence and its columns suggest a Neoclassical origin. The big house is surrounded by well-manicured lawns and well-maintained ornamental plants and lightings that make the Ruins glow at night.  This is one of the reasons that The Ruins is a favorite object of photographers.  The Ruins is also a favorite wedding reception area.  A few couples to be married even choose The Ruins as the venue of their Wedding Ceremonies. 

Once you visited The Ruins, there is a guide that will explain to you the history of the house and the life story of Mariano Lacson and Maria Braga and their children. By the way, Mariano was possibly a Member of the Mason because of the presence of this "pencil" marker pictured hereunder. 

My Experience

It was five (5) years ago when I first visited the globally famous THE RUINS in the City of Talisay, Province of Negros Occidental.  Since then The Ruins was gaining popularity as the most fascinating structure that survived the war.  

 During the time of Mariano, his family was already engaged in the production of muscovado sugar.  During those years, Negros Island is one of the biggest producers of muscovado sugar which was considered as an expensive commodity, as expensive as Gold. 

All photos of the Ruins by Henry Libo-on, Touristang Pobre. 

Awards and Recognition

According to Roger Lucero, the In-House Guide of The Ruins (watch the video hereunder), The Ruins got two recognitions already:

1. Most Fascinating Ruins In The World - Rank 12

2. The Best Landmark In The Philippines by the PICE or the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers.

What To Do At The Ruins

Other than a photography session with the Ruins as the backdrop, several events can be held here such as weddings, birthdays, debuts, anniversaries, and others. There is a Snack Bar and a Snack Bar.  At the back of the ruins is a parking area and nearby is a wide lawn where a big event can also be held like Camping, Picnics, and others.  Just coordinate with the management. 

There is an entrance fee to enter The Ruins. I also paid to enter this place.  That is why I do not feel like publishing this on my Blogsite because it has commercial value....haha...

"Sigi lang ah, indi man gid dacu nga bagay kay taga Bata man kami, tupad lang sang Ruins."

How To Get There

Let us assume that you are already here in Bacolod City, you take a Taxi from your hotel and ask the driver to take you to the Ruins.  The driver can also wait for you since you will find it difficult to wait for any available transportation from the Ruins. Please discuss with the driver and agree on the price. 

There are also Tricycles, Trisikads, and Single Motorcycles or "habal-habal" that is parked at Bangga Pepsi.  This "bangga" or crossing is near the Pepsi Cola Bottling Plant located on the corner of Lacson Street and Circumferential Road or also known as Bata Road. 

The Drivers of Trisikads, Tricycles, and Single Motorcycles are waiting there on the Bangga for passengers that will go to Barangay Bata and The Ruins.  Just talk to the Driver of your choice and agree on the price of taking you to the Ruins and waiting for you to go back to Bangga Pepsi where you can get a Taxi or ride the Passengers Jeepney going to the Downtown or City Proper. 

Source: Youtube as published by Orsalia, August 29, 2012. Thanks, Orsalia. 

Source: OneEyeDrone Jurilla from Youtube. 

So, this is The Ruins.  Your trip to the Province of Negros Occidental is never complete if you cannot drop by The Ruins which is very accessible from the capital city of Bacolod.  In less than an hour, you can reach The Ruins by whatever mode of transportation that you will use.  Just don't walk from the crossing or Bangga Pepsi.  

If you like this post, please LIKE my Facebook Page and SHARE this with your friends too. 

Thanks for dropping by.  

The videos were sourced from Youtube. 

All photos by Henry Libo-on.

Reviewed on April 21, 2021.