The Ruins in Bacolod and How to Get There

Bacolod has always been one of those places in the Philippines that I fell in love with the first time my hubby and I visited it back in 2011 which is why I couldn't help but write about its many beautiful sites here on my blog. And since today is the first day of summer (Can you feel the heat? I do! And I'm loving it.), I thought of finally continuing my pending blog posts and hopefully be able to stick to writing about my travels on a more regular basis  in between work, traveling and social networking (crossing my fingers).

One of the things you can do here aside from trying Bacolod's many culinary delights, visiting its quaint ancestral houses (Balay Negrense, Pink House) and taking a refreshing trip to Mambukal Falls is to visit the very majestic and picturesque Lacson Ruins or what is most popularly known as The Ruins. 

Here's a video I took of The Ruins that morning:

The Ruins of the mansion of DON MARIANO LEDESMA LACSON was built in loving memory of his deceased wife MARIA BRAGA after her death in 1911. 

The mansion, of Italianate architecture, was designed to be a monument of their enduring love affair.

In the eve of the World War II in 1942, the mansion was torched by the guerilla fighters and was burning for 3 days leaving behind reminders of a glorious past. 

A-Grade Concrete

Felipe, one of the sons, supervised the construction of the mansion making certain that the A-grade mixture of concrete and its pouring was precisely followed. Run your hands to the posts and walls and feel the marble-like effect of high grade concrete. Before the pouring began, Felipe gathered as much people as he can to ensure that the pouring will be done non-stop, day and night, until the whole structure is complete.

The Name Above All Names

Balay Daco
Palasyo
Simento nga Balay
Lacson Mansion
Mansyon
Nalay ni Anoy

These are just but a few of the names used to refer to the mansion of Don Mariano "Anoy" Ledesma Lacson. However, the one name that best describes the structure is the term which was coined by locals who have, once upon a time, frequented the place... THE RUINS.

The Structure

The structure of the mansion of the sugar baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948) is of Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque columns. In New England, they often were homes to ship's captains with shell-like crowns around the top of the mansion.

It is believed that the father of Maria Braga, who was captain of his own ship, had much influence in the design and architecture of the mansion. It was built after the death of Maria Braga (1911) and became the residence of their unmarried children. It was the largest residential structure ever built at that time. The structure met its sad fate in the early part of World War II when the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East), then guerilla fighters, burnt the mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from utilizing it as their headquarters or garrison. Despite the inferno that it underwent, bringing down the roof and the solid wooden floors, the structure has withstood the ravages of time mainly due to the oversized steel bars and the A-grade mixture of concrete used in its construction.

Here are some tips on how to get to The Ruins:

• If you're coming from Old Bacolod City Hall in Bacolod City, take a jeep that has the Mandalagan-Lopez route. Fare is just Php7.00.
• Go down at Robinson's Place and ride another jeep going to Silay. Tell the driver that you're going to Talisay City. Fare is Php7.00.
• Go down at PEPSI bottling plant located in BATA. There's a signboard at the corner that says "This way to the Ruins. Ride one of the tricycles there and tell the driver to take you to The Ruins. Fare is Php20.00.

In 15 minutes, you'll reach the place. Entrance fee is Php40.00. The Ruins is open from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm. They can open up til late for special occasions like weddings and parties. If you get hungry, they have a nice Mediterranean coffee place which is open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. They have also just recently opened up an 18-hole Mini Golf Course which families can enjoy. 

If you want to contact The Ruins, you may do so at the following numbers:
+6334-476-4334
+63917-832-6003

Or you can email them at: ruins@theruins.com.ph