Have you ever heard of the Taj Mahal? It was built as a mausoleum of a rich Indian for his beloved wife? It is basically one of the most common tourist spots being discussed during history and art class in high school and college. It is not just adored for its beauty but also for the love and dedication of the emperor towards his favorite wife.

The emperor's love is really touching as it took him years to wait before the construction ended. In line with my recent post about love, the blog entry for today is also about what a person can do all for love.

The story of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and his love for his wife Maria Braga is one of the sweetest but the saddest stories I heard compared with the story Teodorico Soriano Adarna towards Leah Albino-Adarna. Both of these men decided to construct a place dedicated to the love of their lives. The post about the love of Teodorico Soriano Adarna will be posted soon though. But the love story of Don Mariano ended up in one of the most tragic stories I ever heard.

So, before I start being dramatic, let us start our short tour of The Ruins.

The Ruins

It is located at Hacienda Sta. Maria, Talisay City, Negros Occidental. It took us few minutes of drive from SM Bacolod using Wigo. The Ruins is also known with different names such as Balay Daco (Big House), Simento nga Balay (Cemented House), Palasyo (Palace), Lacson Mansion, Mansyon (Mansion), Balay ni Anoy (House of Anoy). The place has entrance fee but it does not cost a lot.

Its architectural structure is Italianate Mansion with Neo-Romanesque Columns. It was the father of Maria Braga who influenced a lot with the design of the mansion.

The mansion undergoing construction.

According to history, Don Mariano met Maria Braga, a Portugese beauty while he was in Hong Kong. He was head over heels in love with her that they got married soon. When she was pregnant with their 11th child, she accidentally slipped on the floor. The patriach called for a doctor but it was too late because Maria and the unborn child died.

Because of grief, he decided to construct a mansion dedicated for her deceased wife. He asked help from his father-in-law and son in designing and constructing the house.

The majestic mansion turned into ruins after USAFFE ans Filipino guerilla fighters decided to burn this mansion so that Japanese forces cannot use the building just like other structures when the Japanese soldiers tried to invade Philippines and some towns insisted in securing their places.

Details of the House

The building is quite fascinating not just as a whole but because of every details that it has.

The Floor Tiles
The tiles of the house are original and had not bern replaced. The various designs had been grouped together near the kitchen and at the back entrance.

The Small Arched Window
The window is between the kitchen and the dining area originally. This is typical among Spanish-era or designed homes.

The Beldevere
It is a big room found on the second floor of the mansion. It allowed the family to have a beautiful view of the picturesque coastal scenery of Negros.

The tower is among one of my favorite view in The Ruins. All throughout, a tree has grown on top of it.

The veranda lighting is sophisticated. Wires are designed not be seen by the visitors giving it an edge over other historical sites.

A calesa has been displayed. It would be fascinating to ride one with a horse.

Before entering The Ruins, the area itself has a lot of places to take photos. For short,it is instagramable.

Outside, you can find an area with stones arranged in a manner.

It also has a pond with koi fishes. I saw a lot of couples sitting nearby it and relaxing while watching those fishes.

This one I took on a road heading to the mansion. My boyfriend decided to jump and we all laughed when I instantly took a shot of him. Very unscripted!

The mansion was built with Grade A cement giving it a fine and marble-like texture. The columns has also fascinatingly letter E-like design.

This place also welcomes tourists from other places. Chairs were in place.

The ceiling was already destroyed that is why they decided to put a new ceiling so that tourists could still roam around even when it is sunny or raining.

Other places to discover in The Ruins

Aside from the mansion, The Ruins also offers a variety of places where to eat and slurp. They sell dirty ice cream for children and children-at-heart. They also have a closed restaurant and an open restaurant with a band that plays in the later part of the afternoon until evening.

The Ruins has also been a place for prenuptional and debut shoots. I also heard that wedding ceremonies occured in the place.

It is worthy to know that a marker with a plaque of recognition from United Architects of the Philippines was installed in preserving the legacy and memory of Don Mariano Ledesma.

References:
www.choosephilippines.com/go/heritage-sites/2441/love-story-andruins
http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/09/06/17/look-temple-of-leah-the-taj-mahal-of-cebu
Signages found at the site of the Tourist Spots

Photos are taken using Samsung On5.