Revisiting Talisay 'Ruins' after 6 years

A second look to the noted "Taj Mahal of Negros Occidental" - the Ruins in Talisay. The oldest ruins in Negros Occidental. It has been recognized as the highest art form of a magnificent architectural design based on "structural strength and stability, lasting function and flexible use, and beauty in its distinctive details"

The new set of "ruiners" excluding the tricycle driver, Almon, my son-in-law and me visited for the first time the "fascinating ruins of the world. These eager and curious "ruiners" were composed of my wife, Rebecca, our smart granddaughter, Sophie; Carissa, my daughter-in-law and her siblings: Zarah, Mae An, Eron, and her nephew, Elyan.

My wife and me

It was six years ago that I paid a visit to this "Ruins. It was 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 on December 11, 2011.

The group was composed of  the newly wed couple, Ricalyn Camporazo (blogger's granddaughter) and Glenn Salas,; Nidabel with her daughter Ara, Marzon Oceña, Bebing (blogger's nephew), Gingging (blogger's 2nd eldest daughter), and Grace Nicor, a friend. As first timer visitors, they curiously inspected the historical remnants of the building which was considered as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines in Negros Occidental. They were all amazed of the engineering features of the ruins.

Ruins 'Repair' (New Beauty Spots)

I am referring this "repair" for the innovations and improvements made in the Ruins vicinity. A lagoon (golf course) was created with improvised lake, with big fishes, and with big statue of pair of swans. At the background of the lagoon, a constructed ruin pillars enhanced the place. Added also is a man-made elevated land to form a small mount with a single culvert on the side and a single rail cart on the foot of the said mount.

The main entrance is relocated on the eastern part of the place and it could be accessed from Bacolod Airport Access Road (new highway) and from the original accessed road from Talisay.

Fees

The entrance fees: 100 for the adults, 50, senior citizens, and 20 for the kids, 8 years and below.

Amenities

The place is very conducive for the party goers to stay at night. There is a live piano player whom I met for the first time. He is Romeo Sanchez, a Tagalog speaking person. It is by a hunch that I requested for him to play "Fascination" and he did it well. I never thought or I had forgotten that the Ruins is one of the "fascinating" ruins in the world as claimed by writers, journalists.

Mr. Sanchez, an elderly, knew Mr. Bagguer Villaluz, a noted local musician and at the same my friend, my co-columnist in Negros Daily Bulletin, a vigilant newspaper in the Western Visayas.

Visitors and tourists could avail of themselves of souvenirs about the ruins which could be bought from the souvenir shop inside the ruin.

Lecture on the historical background of the building is always ready for the first timers. There is a regular resource person who takes his time giving lecture to the visitors.

There are still on going improvement or innovations being prepared to enrich the tourism feature of the said "Taj Mahal of Negros Occidental".

Related Post:

• Memorable Tour to 'The Ruins' Before 2011 Ends