The Ruins

I must admit, I don’t think I’m able to give The Ruins justice in these photos. The famous landmark of Talisay is so much more than what I was able to capture. Since I was in town during Bacolod’s popular Masskara festival, a lot of tourists were there as well so it was a bit challenging to take a proper photo of The Ruins’ entire facade. Even so, one can still imagine how the old mansion must’ve looked like at its heyday.

From what I’ve gathered, this mansion was built in the 1900s by Spanish-Filipino sugar baron, Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson for his Portugese wife, Maria Braga. It was the biggest and most elegant residential structure in the province at that time–with a 4-tiered fountain brought in from abroad fronting the mansion and lavish furnishings from Europe and Asia filling the lavish home. It met its ill fate in the early part of World War II when Don Mariano asked Filipino guerrilla fighters to burn the mansion down to prevent the Japanese from using it as their headquarters. Due to the mansion’s use of Grade A concrete and sturdy construction, it took days for the fire to bring down the mansion’s roof, walls and floors. If that isn’t a testament to just how grand this mansion was, then I don’t know what is. With only its pillars, grand staircase and parts of its two-inch wooden floor on the second storey that remain, The Ruins can still take anyone’s breath away. It certainly took mine. I hear it’s even more magnificent at sunset. I must come back for you, I must.

Topman hat | Mango necklace with circle pendant necklace | Edge bar necklace | Romwe floral top | Stradivarius shorts | Céline vintage bag | SnH sandals

44 Responses to “The Ruins”
  1. maebs

    love your outfit. Oh my! parang nasa ibang bansa ka po. ang ganda ng place. wish I could visit that place. :)

    Reply
  3. Reena

    The Ruins is definitely more beautiful during sunset/nighttime. :) And… omg may umakyat sa taas? Nakakatakot don! hahaha umakyat yung friend ko don (I think they were fixing it nung time na yon) and omg… parang gusto kong i luwal ang atay ko sa nerbiyos just watching her! hahaha… Sayang ang daming tao… pero I really admire you for managing to capture great photos kahit na maraming photobombers! hehe

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Haha! Yeah I went up! Ginagawa pa rin until now so it was still scary pero sayang naman kasi I was there na, might as well take photos from the 2nd floor :)

      Reply
  4. Neecee

    It’s really more fun here in the Philippines! Proud Pinoy, Proud Negrense, Proud Bacolodnon!=) All your posts are magnificent with picturesque, The Ruins. I’ve visited this awesome site 4 years ago & since I’m just few kilometers away, your current shots make me wanna go back in there ASAP. There’s a lot of improvements done in this lovely historical site & a must see one. Thanks for the feature gorgeous Camille!

    Reply
  5. Ericka Garcia

    Great outfit and photos, Ms. Camille! You took great shots and made the Ruins look more beautiful! :)

    Love,
    Ericka Garcia

    Reply
  7. Adet Alferez

    Hi Ms. Camille! It’s more magical at night. You must(!) visit again. been there once and i’m finding time to visit again (if i have the time!) hahaha. you should post more trips from within the Philippines. you look like you had fun. haha nice outfit! :)

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Thanks Adet! That’s on the list, to visit more places in our country next year :)

      Reply
  10. Katrin Tuano

    Oonga, there are too many tourists being touristy there pero despite the photo bombers, your photos are actually really incredible! I’ve watch this teleserye before at ABSCBN and they shot some of their scenes in the Ruins and I told myself that I will visit it soon and now that I’ve seen your photos… wow! Your outfit is so chill too! Love how the look somehow matches the vibe of the ruins! And oohhh, good thing you weren’t able to caught ghosts in your photos :p Haha I heard that the ruins is actually hauntedd! ~

    And cool back story!! I never really knew the history of this beauty.. All thanks to youu <3

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Oh my! It is? Thank God I didn’t know this before visiting the place. I’m super scared of ghosts haha! :)

      Reply
  11. Mina

    I love how you mix and match! You inspire. In fact, I’m so inspired, I think I will have to do some shopping for my wardrobe make over! Good thing I saw this: http://www.satch.com.au/sale/ Satch is on 60% sale! Will be buying lots of stuff and imitate your style :)

    Reply
  16. Maica

    I can’t believe that we have it here~ The place is so fascinating! I love their garden too!

    Reply
  18. Phil

    An awe inspiring and fascinating location Camille, which your lovely images compliment! Thanks for sharing! x

    Reply
  19. Clariss

    Historical places always looks surreal and beautiful in a different way, I mean even though it was destroyed, it still looks beautiful!

    Bakit ang ganda ganda mo ate cams?! huhu. With your kind and beautiful words I gain confidence and feel beautiful but whenever I see your pretty face and body lagi ko sinasabing “unfair talaga ang buhay” oh well I should still be thankful for everything that God gave me :)

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      I feel that way sometimes too! We all have our down days but believe me when I say, you’re beautiful too! :)

      Reply
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