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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Memorable Tour To 'The Ruins' Before 2011 Ends!

The "ruiners" from La Carlota City led by by this blogger, Gil Camporazo paid a half-day morning tour to the ruins of mansion of Italianate architecture of the sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948) in Talisay City today, December 31, 2011 before the year ends.

Ricalyn Camporazo (blogger's granddaughter) and Glenn Salas, the newly wed couple; Nidabel with her daughter Ara, Marzon OceƱa, Bebing (blogger's nephew), Gingging (blogger's 2nd eldest daughter), and Grace Nicor eagerly, curiously, ocularly inspected the historical remnant of the building which was considered as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines in Negros Occidental.

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The mansion was built in 1911 after the death of Don Mariano's wife, Maria Braga, Portuguese from Macau as his loving memory of their enduring love affair.

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In 1942, during the World Ward II, the guerilla fighters burned the mansion. The fire gutted the said mansion, that lasted for 3 days. Now what had left was the architectural structure of the building as a reminder of Don Mariano's glorious past of his love for his beloved wife, Maria.

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It was told that the USAFFE (United States Armed Forces in the Far East), then guerilla fighters in the Philippines, that burnt the mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from utilizing it as their headquarters. It took days of inferno to bring down the roof and the two-inch wooden floors. As of this writing, the 903-square-meter structure still stands tall amidst sugar plantation and amazes both local and foreign tourists. for her magnificent view especially at sunset and nighttime when all lights are on...

26 comments:

  1. not only beautiful scenes but rich in history as well. so this is the counterpart of corregidor in talisay ha... thanks for sharing wonderful photos from our country. i miss PH

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  2. It is a great thing that you and your family were able to visit the ruins on the last day of the year that makes it very memorable! I love the ruins! I should try to look for my pictures way back 2010!Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  3. Going over your post had confirmed what I've read before that it's the Taj Majal of the Philippines. I'll definitely visit the place within this year 2012.

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  4. One of the loveliest ruins I've ever seen. There was no obelisk marker when I went there though. I wish they hadn't put that up. It's an eyesore in the otherwise charming place.

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  5. Actually AJ that obelisk is not an eyesore. I just focused it when I took the picture of the ruins.

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  6. Places like this should be promoted more. Thanks Gil for blogging this one.

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  7. There's something eerie yet wonderful feel to this (the eerie-ness must be due to the previous horror films which features such houses). Their love's already imprinted in it's structure and to see it standing magnificently tells more about it even after the rest of it has been burned...

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  8. Very Scenic! The story foretold is like a love story from a movie...Hope I could also visit this...do drop by my site also at http://www.gastronomybyjoy.com! Happy New Year and a great blogging year at that!

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  9. thanks for sharing to us the story behind this historic architecture... I just wonder how is the owner related to my mom's ledesma clan... lol... Yahweh bless.

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  10. We were there way back in 2010 with 12 other Travel Bloggers. It was fun! We love the Ruins It exceeded our expectations. I particularly like the story behind the Ruins. The ruins was built in memory of the great love of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his wife Maria Braga. They have their initials in every nook and corner of the house. And it was still there up until now!

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  11. Wow! They look like postcards to me. Great work of art.

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  12. Great thing sir that this one, although ruined, has been preserved. It offers much of our history.

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  13. I didn;t know we have structures like that in the Philippines. It looks foreign to me.

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  14. I just know of this ruined mansion now. It should have been promoted as one of the Philippines' tourist attraction. It is not only beautiful. It is endowed with rich history as well.

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  15. Wow nice historical building! our tourism department should promote this place more!

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  16. I thought this was Corregidor but its actually prettier. Sana I get to see this place soon.

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  17. We're planning to visit this place this coming June! :) Wonderful pictures, Sir! I am more excited now to see this in person.

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  18. An article written by virtue of excellence and fantastic photography. I will bookmark this article.

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  19. Truth be told... thanks for letting me know that we do have our own Taj Mahal!!! The more I am excited to start my vision board and see with my own eyes the beauty of the Philippines!

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  20. I never knew that such mansion existed. It looks hauntingly beautiful. Would love to see this with my own eyes. I love the "HiStory" behind this place.:)

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  21. That place was really historic. It would have been so much better if you were able to take pictures of its interiors and its details if you ask me =).

    I'll add this to my "To Visit" list too =)

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  22. The structure is so great and so interesting to visit. I'll jot it down to my places to see.

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  23. magnificent structure! hhmmm parang sa Greece.. :)

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  24. Dapat talaga prinopromote ang lugar na to. hindi ko alam na may ganito pala.

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