The Ruins in Talisay City, Negros Occidental is what remained of the grand mansion that Don Mariano Lacson built, following the death of his first wife, Maria Braga.
Built in memory of Maria Braga, the mansion became the residence of Don Mariano and his unmarried children.
Today, it is a tourist attraction for its romantic, yet strong structures. Many interesting tales and facts lie within the walls and posts that remained of the Ruins.
The Ruins is of Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque twin columns. The couple’s initials M and M are molded onto the mansion’s posts.
The top edges of the mansion also feature a shell-inspired decor, which in New England indicates that the home is owned by a ship captain. This particular design is in honor of Maria Braga’s father, who was ship captain.
Still in keeping with the marine theme, the second story of the mansion features a belvedere that faces the west. According to the tour guide, Don Mariano would be often seen sitting in the glassed-in sunroom viewing the ships that come and go along the coastal waters of Talisay.
The mansion was reduced to its skeletal frame when in the early part of World War 2, the United States Armed Forces in the Far East (USAFFE), guerilla fighters during the Japanese occupation, set the mansion ablaze so it will not be used as headquarters by the Japanese forces.
The fire burned the mansion’s roof and the 2-inch thick wooden floors but the foundations remained standing, thanks to its oversized steelbars and the meticulous way of pouring the A-grade mixture of concrete.
Indeed, my first impression upon seeing the skeleton of the mansion was that it appeared to be structurally very sound, that it would be easy to bring it back to its former grandeur.
The walls of the mansion were incorporated with egg whites mixed with cement, and to this day, visitors can see the gloss or shine on the mansion’s walls.
To accomplish the high-quality strength of the structure, the construction had to be done 24 hours, 7 days a week, so that the mixing and pouring of the concrete would be continuous, thus ensuring that the concrete was very compact and that no air got in.
In its heyday, the fountain outside the mansion was surrounded by a beautiful lily garden, which was maintained by a Japanese gardener, who mysteriously disappeared following the burning of the mansion.
Today, it is a landscaped garden, drawing various inspirations, from formal English gardens to Japanese-inspired gardens.
Also outside the mansion is the ‘Simborio,’ the chimney for the muscovado sugar mill of the family’s sugar farm. It is in the mill where the juice of the sugarcane is extracted before transferring them in large vats where juice is heated and then cooled to produce the sugar crystals.
There are also modern additions to The Ruins: the 18-hole mini golf course and newly built toilets that still use the mansion’s original septic tank.
Inside The Ruins is a semi-fine dining restaurant offering Mediterranean cuisine and a mini-bar.
The Ruins is open to the public from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm daily. The Ruins may also be used for special events such as weddings, family reunions, etc. There are also camping and picnic grounds, bath houses and a pavilion.
Directions
Copied from Lacson Ruin’s Facebook account: Proceed to Bata (Pepsi bottling plant) and turn east. About 600 meters, you will see a cellsite above a 2-story bldg on the left. Opposite that bldg you will see a big sign that says ‘THIS WAY TO THE RUINS’. You will enter that narrow street leading to Rose Lawn Memorial gardens. Follow the small red and yellow signs on the electrical posts which will lead you all the way to the RUINS. We are in Talisay City (next to Bacolod)
Beautiful pictures and scenery !!! I hope to see the historic ruins and play the golf course soon. We are scheduled to have a medical/surgical mission in Talisay on Jan.23-26, 2011, by the APPA (Association of Phil. Physicians in America) with the Talisay City Lions thru Mr. Jose D. Libo-on. Dr. Rano Bofill is the President-Elect of APPA and he is from there. Is it possible to rent a set of golf clubs there (graphite shaft, regular flex)?
Thanks.
hello, may be you have the contact number for the ruins…i wish to make reservation to visits the place been searching online about it pls help me also how to get there from bacolod city…
thank you a lot!
Hi Jean,
You don’t really need a reservation to visit the Ruins. As for the directions, we will try to recall how we got there. 😉 We only asked the locals on the best way to go there.
its an extraordinary feeling to see personally the magnificent ruins in talisay. of all the places we have visited during our field trip in hum.1 I was more captivated with the beauty of the ruins. I hope to come back there someday to see the magic on the ruins.
For details about The RUINS you may call 0917-8326003.
In facebook you may also seacrh for ” Lacson Ruins ” or you may check http://www.theruins.mutiply.com
wow.. very beautiful scenerie in negros occidental.. it is very fascinating and amazing..very relaxing place hope to come again in my nxt vacation here in the philippine.. tnx
the new website of The RUINS is http://www.theruins.com.ph
Mobile # (+63 917) 832-6003
Landline # (+63 34) 476-4334
email: lacson_mansion@yahoo.com.ph
inquire lng me,how much entrance fee sa The Ruins??? We are planning to visit there,:) thanks…pls responce….
It was 20 pesos when we went there.
Adults – P60
Students / Sr. Citizens – P40
Child (below 8 yrs. old) – P20
Adults – P60
Students / Sr. Citizens – P40
Child (below 8 yrs. old) – P20
hello i live in bacolod city,the ruins is really a beautiful place to a wedding pictorial,because of the history.
Actual price of the entrance fee this day is P60.00/pax.
hi! its really an honor to post my comment on this page of ”the ruins”
We’ve been there last March 29 as part of our educational trip. At first I was wondering why they called it as ‘the ruins’ but as we enter the place where it can be found, the way to got there would really explain the title itself as ”the ruins” I was really amazed!when we are near on the place, I could see the magnificent view of the mansion with the sparkling light that attract my full attention, it is truly a ”Paradise” for
me. Sooner or later I will be going back there again but not to tour and listen to our tour guide but to conduct my ”wedding vows” on that beautiful place.
It was just last year when I and my Tita Pet celebrated our birthdays at The Ruins. It was a “Bring-Your-Own-Baon” get together with all other singles friends. Though we were charged for a corkage fee, we were still happy eating at the newly built picnic huts few steps away from the skeleton building. Facilities are indeed improving from year to year. Aside from birthdays, The Ruins is also a good venue for weddings and reunions. Just don’t forget to bring your fully-charged cameras.
I love to take our prenups here. How much kaya yung fee? Any contact numbers for me to inquire. Thanks.
Check the earlier comments for website link and contact info. Good luck. 🙂
hi, may i know if there is reservations for the entrance fee?
Thannk you.
Super Ganda ng place,..sa nka.visit na,I just wanna know,how much po bah yung entrance fee xa the ruins?,..Hoping for a reply,asap,..Thanks.
ღ We ℒℴνℯ iT ღ ℒ & ℒ ღ
The Ruins in Talisay City, Negros Occidental is what remained of the grand mansion that Don Mariano Lacson built, following the death of his first wife, Maria Braga. Built in memory of Maria Braga, the mansion became the residence of Don Mariano and his unmarried children. Today, it is a tourist attraction for its romantic, yet strong structures. Many interesting tales and facts lie within the walls and posts that remained of the Ruins.
SO BEAUTIFUL MANSION !!!!
Hello.. is there a place where we can eat at the ruins?? and anong oras po maganda pumunta?? what is the best time to go there?? yung hindi masyadong mainit.. Thanks..
i was there december 26, 2014 2pm.
Hello!
Inquire po sana if dyan e held ung wedding?
Thanks
Is a nice place pumonta kmi jan january25 2016 ang ganda tlaga …..
hi 😀 mga how much po ang extra payment pag nagshooting kayo sa ruins for school project po? thanks
when was this first made open to public? what year? would anyone know?