The HOME of THE RUINS

Every year, as much as possible, if schedules meet and budget permits, my family and I pay a visit to my parents’ hometown in Cansilayan Murcia, Bacolod. We go there to mainly attend the town’s one-week fiesta that happens on the first week of May. We also visit some places near the area if we still have much time. On our last vacation, we went to The Ruins in Talisay, the city next to Bacolod.

The Ruins is tagged as the “Taj Mahal” of Negros. It is located in the middle of a sugarcane plantation and has its truly fascinating story.

Did you know that this mansion was built in the early 1900’s? It is approximately a 900 square meter structure. It is said to be having similarity with the outward appearance of Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The materials used to building it were imported from Spain, China and Europe. Construction workers from China were also brought to Talisay to help build the Mansion. It took 3 years for the mansion to be completely finished.

The building of the mansion was out of Don Mariano’s deep sorrow and unending love for his wife, Maria. His wife passed during pregnancy with their 11th child. It was built in memory of his wife. It is a remembrance of his admiration and never to be forgotten love for Maria.

During the World War II, The mansion was deliberately burnt down as USAFFE wouldn’t allow Japanese forces to invade and occupy it as their headquarters. The burning of the mansion lasted for 3 days and its remnants are what we call now, The Ruins.

On the other hand, If you look closely and pay attention to the details, you may see turned Es, a ladder made of cement as an escape route in case of fire (that was one of what I imagined haha) or just a mere design. Those are in fact, 2Ms facing each other. They stand for Mariano and Maria. Yes, their initials. You can see them molded on the corners of the house.

If you also get the chance to visit The Ruins, I encourage you to touch its walls and witness how smooth it is up to this day. It is because the cements were mixed with egg whites. Can you imagine the amount of egg whites used to achieve such quality? :)

Here’s my family so stunned while the tour guide tells the mansion’s moving story.

At that time, Angelina, one of the daughters, is said to be maintaining a beautiful lily garden with the help of a Japanese gardener.

Currently, the mansion and its garden are being maintained by 5 gardeners.

From the quality materials used, to bringing construction workers from China, to Mariano’s patience and perseverance to building and completely finishing it, without a doubt I was filled with astonishment.
Mariano’s passion to building the mansion as her tribute to Maria is truly amusing but I also felt that gnawing pain as it had to be burnt. It is indeed a moving story.

We may not have witnessed how the well-constructed mansion looked like before it was burnt but I am certain it is as beautiful and captivating as how its story moves and inspires many. For me, the most amazing part is the mansion’s framework that is still concrete up to this day. It has truly stood a test of time through natural calamities, invasions and wars.

I strongly believe that it refused to be completely destroyed and will continue to, just like their love that they will never allow to be broken. This is just one of the many stories we are yet to hear and witness proving that love really transcends in many ways.

Thank you for reading and swinging by!
No goodbyes! See you on my next post!

Truly,
Larni