Another day at The Ruins in Talisay City

The Ruins in Talisay City was never part of my plan last weekend. I was scheduled to give a Blogging 101 Talk in SM City Bacolod. After the talk, Audrey and I went to Lacson Street for a cup of coffee. I got a pleasant surprise when our college barkada Grace arrived.

Then later Grace suggested that we go to The Ruins in Talisay City. She said she has never been there yet. After a little more discussion, off we went to Talisay City to visit the famed structure in the middle of the sugarcane field.

If you have been closely following this blog, you would know that this is not the first time that I have been to The Ruins. But this doesn’t mean that I am no longer excited to be back there.

From Bacolod City, it’s around 20 minutes drive north. Entrance fee to the Ruins if PHP50. Discount is given to students and Senior Citizens. But mind you, the staff assigned at the gates hinted that they would increase their entrance fees next month, just in time for the Masskara Festival 2011. The staff added that they need to increase the entrance fee everytime they add an employee. Hmmmmm OK.

While inside the compound we had a grand time taking photos of the building. The mansion which was one of the grandest during its era was owned by Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. It was built i loving memory of his Portuguese wife Maria Braga whom he met in Macau.

The guerrillas burned down the mansion for fear that the japanese forces would use this as their headquarters during the World War. The Japanese did not use this house, instead they occupied the Don Mariano Ramos Ancestral House in burgos Street Bacolod City. The Japanese forces took over the Don Mariano Ramos house but never destroyed it. Up until now it is still standing ready to tell her own story.

During our visit to The Ruins last weekend, new things have been added. The last time I was here was in November 2010 after the Visayas Blogging Summit in Iloilo. I had to go to Bacolod as my flight back to Manila was via Bacolod.

There’s a new small building located on the east side of the ruins. The building is a small cafe/giftshop in one. One can shop for gift items or souvenir for friends and family.

Another noticeable addition is the marker set up by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers located on the southeast side, near the fountain.

It was a Saturday afternoon when we get there, so it is not a surprise to see lots of tourists there. I was actually hoping to catch a really good sunset there. but the weather is not cooperating that day. It was so cloudy the whole afternoon.

Oh well, anywany, I really enjoyed my recent visit to the Ruins. And I am pretty sure, I’ll be back here again in time for the Masskara Festival to tour my friends here.

Experience the grandeur of the Sugarlandia! AirPhil Express now flies to Bacolod 3x Daily using the Airbus 320 aircraft.