THE RUINS of Negros @TourismPHL

 Bacolod City: The Ruins

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

Bacolod City: The Ruins

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.

Bacolod City: Masskara

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.

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

Enjoy fresh sugarcane juice from the Sugar Capital of the Philippines. (P50)

 

The Ruins

Tip: For a complete group shot, you can ask the trained photographers to have your picture taken. Tips are welcomed.

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

or you can set the timer of your camera on the table.

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

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.

Bacolod City: The Ruins

Bacolod City: The Ruins

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.

 

Bacolod City: The Ruins

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.

Bacolod City: The Ruins

2 inch Hardwood planks of Nara were used for the flooring and decorations and furnishings were shipped in from parts of Europe and Asia.

Bacolod City: The Ruins

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.)

Bacolod City: The Ruins

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.

Bacolod City: Masskara

The fire was said to have burned for 3 days because of the thick hardwood leaving only the concrete frame.

 

Bacolod City: The Ruins

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.

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

Fun Fact: This is the same original fountain constructed during 1911.

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

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.

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

Menu: Starters, Soup, Main Course, Local Favorites, Breakfast, Pizza, Drinks 1, Drinks 2

 

Bacolod City: The Ruins

KBL an all time Ilonggo favorite dish is a specialty at Don Mariano’s Garden. A favorite of #TeamOAP Sean. (P255)

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

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.

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

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.

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

They have the classic Negrense favorite the Chicken Inasal. Dip it local vinegar called “langaw”. (P140)

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

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)

 

Bacolod City: Masskara

We liked the classic bruschetta with bread, olive oil, garlic, mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. It’s quite a refreshing and light appetizer. (P150)

Bacolod City: Masskara #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)

 

Bacolod City: The Ruins

They also brew their own coffee enjoy them hot or cold. (P85)

 The Ruins

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
FacebookTheRuins
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.

 

Bacolod City: The Ruins 

 It’s MassKara time, don’t miss the schedule of the following highlights:

Masskara Schedule 

 

Here are some tips on how to maximize your trip to The Ruins…

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