Visiting Bacolod City won’t be complete without having a trip to The Ruins in Talisay City. Built by the Sugar Baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in 1911 as a testament to his ill-fated love Maria Braga. The Hacienda has garnered the nickname the “Taj Mahal” of Negros.
We loved that it holds many interesting tales and facts within it’s concrete walls. Here are some tips on how to maximize your trip to The Ruins…
THE RUINS
Hda. Sta. Maria, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Numbers: +63 34 476-4334, +63 917 832-6003
E-mail: ruins@theruins.com.ph
Facebook: TheRuins
Website: www.theruins.com.ph
DON MARIANO’S GARDEN
Hda. Sta. Maria, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Numbers: +63 92580-00401, +63 34-4764334
E-mail: donmarianosgarden@yahoo.com.ph
Instagram: @donmarianosgarden
Website: www.theruins.com.ph
From Bacolod City to Talisay, It surprisingly takes around 15-minutes to reach the tourist site.
If you are driving by car (Directions taken from the Official Site) :
Proceed to Bata (PEPSI bottling plant) and turn east. About 600 meters, you will see a cell site above a 2-story building on the left. Opposite that building you will see a big sign that says “THIS WAY TO THE RUINS”. You will enter that narrow street leading to Rose Lawn Memorial Garden. Follow the small red and yellow signs on the electrical posts which will lead you all the way to The RUINS.
There is no direct transportation going to the area, you can opt to ride a Taxi, but they will charge you with roughly P200.
You’ll pass by the ticketing booth, where you will have to pay an entrance fee. ( Adults: P95, Students/Senior Citizens: P40, Children below 8 yrs old P20)
Free parking is available at the back.
Enjoy fresh sugarcane juice from the Sugar Capital of the Philippines. (P50)
Tip: For a complete group shot, you can ask the trained photographers to have your picture taken. Tips are welcomed.
or you can set the timer of your camera on the table.
Besides having your picture taken, we strongly suggest you take the group tour. Tours can start any time of the day and can get very entertaining with many interesting facts and jokes about the mansion.
Taking three years to construct the mansion’s design was heavily influenced by Italian Neo-Roman architecture which was common among the affluent of the time.
Feel the wall…smooth isn’t it? Egg whites were used as a binding agent in the concrete rather than water, a method used in Spain and parts of Western Europe that gives a shiny marble like finish that can still be seen to this day.
2 inch Hardwood planks of Nara were used for the flooring and decorations and furnishings were shipped in from parts of Europe and Asia.
The two-story mansion was the largest rural structure of its time and sat at the center of 440 hectares of lush farmland. A sugar mill was located on the property where the Lacson milled sugar cane into muscovado (a type if unrefined brown sugar that has a heavy molasses flavor.)
After his death in 1948 the Hacienda was passed down to his children however the Hacienda was mostly destroyed During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines as Filipino and America gorillas burnt the mansion to keep it from becoming a command center for the Japanese imperial Army.
The fire was said to have burned for 3 days because of the thick hardwood leaving only the concrete frame.
Years went by and the Hacienda was nearly forgotten before being restored in the 2000s by Raymond Javellana who preserved what was left of the mansion, restoring it to some of its original beauty.
Now known as The Ruins, The Hacienda of Don Mariano Lacson has become a heritage site for the Negros Occidental regions and is now considered to be one of the top 12 Most Fascinating Ruins in the world.
Fun Fact: This is the same original fountain constructed during 1911.
A tourist who would love to experience a piece of the Family’s Rich history should dine at Don Mariano’s Garden Cafe with dishes passed on by their great-grandparents. They have yummy local fares as well as a selection of international dishes.
Menu: Starters, Soup, Main Course, Local Favorites, Breakfast, Pizza, Drinks 1, Drinks 2
KBL an all time Ilonggo favorite dish is a specialty at Don Mariano’s Garden. A favorite of #TeamOAP Sean. (P255)
The pork is boiled until tender and the broth has a distinct sour taste from the fruit batwan and kadios which is used in the base. The batwan is a native fruit only found in the Negros Region and is used in many local dishes.
Callos was introduced here in the Philippines from the Spanish Colonial era. The savory stew is flavored with spicy chorizo and traditionally served with olives. (P195)
We love the savory stock, it was quite rich, thick and sticky.
They used chorizo de bilbao, a spicy sausage seasoned with paprika. The chorizo de bilbao is a major factor that makes the dish more savory.
They have the classic Negrense favorite the Chicken Inasal. Dip it local vinegar called “langaw”. (P140)
Try a bottle of Ading’s gourmet tuyo made from dried shredded herring, olive oil, capers, garlic-vinegar sauce with olive oil. A recipe passed down by their great-grandmother, the spread is perfect with toasted bread and grated cheese on top. (P250/bottle)
We liked the classic bruschetta with bread, olive oil, garlic, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. It’s quite a refreshing and light appetizer. (P150)
#TeamOAP’s vote would be the Pasta Truffa, it’s bacon and wild mushroom in creamy truffle sauce. The wild mushrooms and truffle make a really nice earthy flavor. (P240)
They also brew their own coffee enjoy them hot or cold. (P85)
The Grandchildren of the Lacson Families: Chef Paolo Monte De Ramos, Chef Michelle Lacson and Chef April Lacson-Justinani.
We love The Ruins of Talisay, besides the picturesque backdrop it holds quite a piece of Negros’ History. A must go to destination, when in Bacolod City.
THE RUINS
Hda. Sta. Maria, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Numbers: +63 34 476-4334, +63 917 832-6003
E-mail: ruins@theruins.com.ph
Facebook: TheRuins
Website: www.theruins.com.ph
DON MARIANO’S GARDEN
Hda. Sta. Maria, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Numbers: +63 92580-00401, +63 34-4764334
E-mail: donmarianosgarden@yahoo.com.ph
Instagram: @donmarianosgarden
Website: www.theruins.com.ph
Live an Awesome Life,
Abi, Boom and Sean
#TeamOAP, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Thank you to Paolo Ramos, Michelle Lacson, April Lacson-Justinani, Bacolod Mayor’s Office and Bacolod Tourism Office for hosting us during our The Ruins Feature. We wrote this article with our biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. The place even becomes more romantic at night when they open the lights at around 6 pm. Special occasions like a romantic gesture with a tent, dinner, candles and the works are catered by the cafe.
It’s MassKara time, don’t miss the schedule of the following highlights:
Here are some tips on how to maximize your trip to The Ruins…
