Bacolod Ruins Locations
“The Ruins” is located in Talisay, Negros Occidental, Philippines. It was built way back in the early 1900s. It is one of the most famous heritage landmarks in the country. It is the remains of the ancestral home mansion of the family of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and his wife Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga Lacson. 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.
Ruins History
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. He fell in love with her so quickly that it did not take long for him to ask the hands of Maria Braga for marriage. The two then got married and settled in Mariano’s ancestral house situated in 440-hectare plantation in Talisay. Their love resulted to them having 10 children.
The tragedy in Mariano and Maria’s love story started when Maria died while conceiving their 11th child. Mariano was so devastated and broken hearted of his beloved wife’s death that is why he decided to build a mansion near his ancestral house. This was his way of easing his pain from his loss. The mansion was a symbol of his undying love and affection for his wife. It was built so beautifully and became the home for Mariano and his children.
During the World War II, the mansion was burnt down by the American colonial masters to impede the invading Japanese forces from using it as military office. The burning lasted for three days to its current empty cement shell.
Purpose of the Ruins
Right now, The Ruins has become a tourist attraction not just because of its history but because of its beauty that is perfect for picture taking. It is now in a private ownership of the great-grandchildren of Mariano and Maria who preserved its ruinous state despite being in the midst of operational farmland.