Straight from Silay Airport with a mountaineer's backpack, I went to the Ruins of Talisay City, just two weeks ago. Actually, I plan to visit it after I drop my luggage first at the Pension House, but the Nyala tours van from the airport does not pass Lacson St. and it stops at the old terminal. By the way, Nyala tours van charge only Php 35/person, compared with the regular airport vans that charge Php 150 per person.
Since the drop off point is already near the Ruins, I boarded a Bata-bound jeepney, then transferred to a tricycle that goes to the Ruins at Php 20 fare per person.
After a 10-minute ride, the tricycle entered the Ruins compound. I paid the Php 60 entrance fee, then asked the staff to store my large backpack on his kiosk, for about half an hour.
Upon arrival, I saw a lot of policemen on the area which I find odd. The guard mentioned that CJ Sereno was there, hence the presence of police officers.
The place is a classic piece of architecture, so I cannot really blame the local tourism office to market it as the Taj Mahal of Negros. It was built in the 1920s by sugar baron Don Mariano Lacson for his Portuguese wife Maria Braga.
Imported and prime-grade materials were used. A Japanese gardener tended the well-maintained grounds, including the imported water lilies in the fountain. During the World War II, it was found out that the gardener is an informant of the Japanese forces, so the Filipino guerillas burned the house to prevent the Japanese from using it as headquarters.
Good thing that the neoclassical columns survived the fire to display the Ruins that we see today. See the carvings on the columns which displays the meticulous skill applied to each piece.
A snack bar and dining area serves the guests inside.
Memorabilias and replica of a bedroom are there for tourists to see.
They have a restaurant outside near the wishing well.
At the right side of the entrance, there is a tower which is in danger of collapsing, as a tree's roots gripped its top through the years.
The compound has a mini golf course, an outdoor chess board, and an old calesa to complete the novelty.
This is a must-visit place when in Bacolod, the City of Smiles.
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