Every time I get the chance to go home in Bacolod, I always itch to go to The Ruins in Talisay. It is one of the newer attractions that has been opened to the public.
The Ruins is actually an old mansion standing in the middle of sugarcane plantations in Talisay City Negros Occidental. This grand residence was built in the early 1900’s by a sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his Portuguese wife Maria Braga who was from Macau whom he met in one of his travels in Hong Kong.
During its time the structure was considered as the largest in the whole of Negros. The structure was built using only the first grade concrete, and it is very evident in its smooth marble-like finish.
During the World War era, the family fled and left the mansion. The American Forces burnt the entire structure to prevent the Japanese forces from using the mansion as their headquarters.
Today, what is left is its sturdy pillars that stood the test of time, braved the heavy bombardment of the Japanese forces, survived countless earthquakes and storms.
Entrance Fee to the Ruins is 25Pesos. An area at the ground level of The Ruins is allocated as a café.
Since it opened to the public in January 2008, The Ruins has been a favourite venue for weddings, debuts and parties.
The Ruins is an off the beaten track tourist attraction. No public transport is available that goes directly to this place. One needs to rent a jeepney or van in Bacolod or Talisay Cty. The 3-kilometer single-lane road leading to the ruins is unpaved. Expect heavy trucks loaded with sugarcane load.
