Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Ruins, Philippines

Cagsawa Ruins at the foot of Mayon Volcano, Legazpi, Bicol Region, Luzon, Philippines. Photo by Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy on Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about the Ruins, Philippines

The Ruins is the remains of the ancestral home mansion of the family of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and Maria Braga Lacson. It is situated in Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. The mansion was built in early 1900s and inspired by Italian architecture.

During World War 2, Filipino guerillas burned it down as a countermeasure to prevent the invading Japanese forces from using it as a military office. It burned for 3 straight days. Let’s take a look at some of most interesting facts about it;

1. It was built by Mariano Ledesma Lacson in memory of his Portuguese wife in 1900

The Ruins (Talisay) was the ancestral mansion of the family of wealthy sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson built on a 440 hectare sugar plantation in Talisay City, Negros Occidental in the early 1900s in memory of his Portuguese wife Maria Braga Lacson, who died during the birth of their eleventh child. 

Though it is currently a tourist attraction site, it is still under private ownership of the great grand children of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. The family has kept it over 100 years and it is still under the burnt state. 

2. The Ruins is built in a brilliant Italianate architecture

The Ruins negros occidental. Photo by Froi Rivera on Wikimedia

It is built in Italianate architecture. The ruins is an example of brilliant architecture and it is Located on a sugar plantation in the Negros Occidental province of the Philippines.It was one of the best ranches in the Philippines and remains one of the most visited attraction sites today. 

WWII Filipino guerrillas employed by the US Armed forces intentionally set the building on fire in order to prevent invading Japanese forces from being able to use the building as a headquarters.

The intention was to burn it to the ground and it burnt for three whole days. The Filipino guerillas were against Don Mariano’s approval of letting in some Japanese soldiers during the seat of the World War II.

3. It is currently a tourist attraction that can be visited for a fee or hired for events

Known variously as the “Taj Mahal of Talisay”, “Taj Mahal of Negros” and “Taj Mahal of the Philippines, it has been preserved it in its ruined state, amidst operational farmland, as a tourist attraction that can be visited for a fee or hired for events.

It is open to daily visitors from 8am to 8pm for a small entrance fee of PHP100 for adults, PHP 50 for students, and PHP 20 for children.The family has kept the Ruinsbin its state for over a century and they have no plans of rebuilding it. 

4. Mariano’s mansion (The Ruins)  was made of pure Concreate

This is a photo of a cultural heritage property in the Philippines with ID. Photo by Hbalairos on Wikimedia

Mariano’s mansion covers an area of more than 900 Square meters and has a total of 10 bedrooms. Unlike other grand mansions of those days, the Lacson mansion was made of pure concrete. For finishing, egg white mixture was used giving the mansion its white marble-like finish.

Metal columns used in railways were used to reinforce the mansion’s pillarsIts framework still intact along with its original tiles and its romantic ambiance is still felt by its visitors.

5. The Ruins are easily accessible through different of transportation

One can get to the Ruins by several means of transportation. The most convenient way to get to The Ruins is by taking a taxi straight to the property’s entrance.This is one of the most easiest ways to get to the Ruins though it is somehow expensive. 

Otherwise, you can take a northbound jeepney in Bacolod City that follows the Batad-Libertad route. Ask the driver to drop you off at the Pepsi Bottling Plant. Here, you can hire a tricycle to take you straight to The Ruins. Travelers must pay a certain amount to enter the property and get a closer look at The Ruins. 

6. The Ruins is open for visit in different times and on different days

This is a photo of a cultural heritage property in the Philippines with ID. Photo by Mariarona on Wikimedia

The Ruins is open from 2 PM to 8 PM from Tuesdays to Thursdays and from 11 PM to 8 PM from Fridays to Saturdays. It is closed on Mondays.And one can take between two -five hours to visit the whole Mariano’s mansion including the whole sugarcane plantation. 

It is recommended to visit during the dry season in the Philippines, which usually starts in November and ends around May.During the rainy season one cannot be able to visit since there are no building around where one can take shade. 

7. It is nicknamed as the Taj Mahal of Negros  because of its history of love and tragedy 

It is nicknamed as the Taj Mahal of Negros because of its history of love and tragedy that is similar to that of the Taj Mahal. The story of this edifice started when the wealthy sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson met Maria Braga, a Portuguese lady from Macau, in one of his travels and fell in love with her. 

He later married her and the couple had 10 children. Their love was however cut shot when tragedy struck them Maria died while conceiving their 11th child.Mariano was so devastated and broken hearted of his beloved wife’s death that is he decided to build a mansion as a symbol of his undying love for her.

This was his way of easing his pain from his loss. It was built so beautifully and became the home for Mariano and his children

8. Tell-tale signs of the Mariano’s love for Maria are found throughout the building

The family flourished in their beautiful new home, surrounded with memories of their beloved Maria.Tell-tale signs of the Mariano’s love for Maria are found throughout the building.

For example, there are two ‘M’ letters folded onto each and every post around the mansion’s exterior.This signs are still very visible to this day and their relevance makes the building so special today for both the family and visitors. 

9. There is a Restaurant and Souvenir shop within the compound

Within the compound you will find The Ruins Gazebo Restaurant. The restaurant has a selection of food on offer, including All-day Breakfast, Pasta Dishes, Fish Dishes, Pizza, Steak and much more.

In addition there is a souvenir shop for you to find a piece of memorabilia to take away from you visit.The grounds surrounding The Ruins are beautifully decorated with lanes, gardens and arches, making it a perfect and popular venue for weddings.

10. There are also several hotels near the Ruins

There are also several hotels near the Ruins including; Luxury – Seda Capitol Central which is 1 mile away from the Ruins, Mid-Budget – Stonehill Suites which is 0.9 miles away and Budget – LOC Residences Inn which is 0.7 miles away. 

It’s currently one of the most famous and most photographed destinations in Negros Occidental, and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Bacolod.Its history and significance makes it one of the most sought after tourist attraction sites.