[ DAY 4 ] NEGROS OCCIDENTAL (Talisay city & Bacolod city) : Sturdy ruins and waving goodbye with a smile
Our flight back to Manila will be at around 5PM. Upon check out, we asked the Front desk officer where can we go sight seeing nearby. The front desk officer told us that we can go to The Ruins located in Talisay city which is just 15-20 minutes by jeep. We had breakfast in BongBong's diner. While waiting for our tosilog and tapsilog, we bought few sweets for pasalubong.
Our luggage is getting heavier due to the pasalubong we got from BongBong's. We decided to leave it in the package counter in SM Bacolod since its near the Airport Shuttle terminal in parking area.
Before heading to The Ruins, we inquired for the time of departure of the airport shuttle. We need to return to SM Bacolod by 1:30PM and get things and be ready to go to the airport.
The Ruins (Sta. Maria Mansion)
How to get there: From Bacolod city Plaza, ride a jeep going to Mandalagan, get off Pepsi; the fare is P 10.00 per person. On the right side of the road, there is a tricycle terminal where in you can hire a tricycle going to The Ruins. The mansion is situated in the middle of a sugarcane plantation making it hidden from the main highway. You may hire a tricycle from the corner of the street for P30.00.
During the Second World War, it has been ordered for houses should be burned or demolish to prevent the Japanese forces from using the area as barracks. This mansion is one of the unfortunate victims of the burning incident. The place have been abandoned for 60 years before it was restored.
The materials used in building the mansion is exceptionally sturdy hence the arches, shell-like crowns, and pillars were still standing up to this day. They use A-Grade concrete as material for the construction. The feel of the concrete is like touching marble surface. The style of the mansion is known to be Neo-Romanesque.
Here are some shots of the surroundings of The Ruins:
The Italian Restaurant and Souvenir Shop @ The Ruins
One who visits The Ruins can savor an array of Italian dishes concocted by the in-house Italian chef. The restaurant also serves a list of desserts which anyone can enjoy while viewing the nice scenery of the garden by The Ruins.
It's just brunch and our budget is getting tight so we just tried their desserts and will have lunch at Manokan Country before leaving for Manila.
For some souvenirs, you can visit the Souvenir shop beside the Italian Restaurant. From key chains, shirts, mugs, pen holders and even fruitcake, for sure there will be one item that you want to be a remembrance of Bacolod city.
I must commend the beautiful interiors of both the souvenir shop and restaurant. They have some intricately hand-painted designs and mosaic tiles made by one of the owners.
One last photo before heading back to Bacolod city.
On our way back to Bacolod city, we the Negros museum. Hence, we decided to jump off the jeepney and check out what the museum has to offer.
Negros Museum
The museum showcases the heritage of Negros region which specialized in the sugar cane industry. The museum also displays a lot of artifacts during the different colonial eras of the Philippines.
One thing is for sure. We will return to this part of Visayas region as there are still A LOT to see and experience. It's not a very expensive to enjoy this part of the Philippines. There are several choices from accommodations, transportation, and food. You may go local to extend your budget and take local transport instead of an pre-arranged tour.
I am heading to another amazing part of the Philippines, stay tuned! :D
Our luggage is getting heavier due to the pasalubong we got from BongBong's. We decided to leave it in the package counter in SM Bacolod since its near the Airport Shuttle terminal in parking area.
Before heading to The Ruins, we inquired for the time of departure of the airport shuttle. We need to return to SM Bacolod by 1:30PM and get things and be ready to go to the airport.
The Ruins (Sta. Maria Mansion)
How to get there: From Bacolod city Plaza, ride a jeep going to Mandalagan, get off Pepsi; the fare is P 10.00 per person. On the right side of the road, there is a tricycle terminal where in you can hire a tricycle going to The Ruins. The mansion is situated in the middle of a sugarcane plantation making it hidden from the main highway. You may hire a tricycle from the corner of the street for P30.00.
During the Second World War, it has been ordered for houses should be burned or demolish to prevent the Japanese forces from using the area as barracks. This mansion is one of the unfortunate victims of the burning incident. The place have been abandoned for 60 years before it was restored.
The materials used in building the mansion is exceptionally sturdy hence the arches, shell-like crowns, and pillars were still standing up to this day. They use A-Grade concrete as material for the construction. The feel of the concrete is like touching marble surface. The style of the mansion is known to be Neo-Romanesque.
Here are some shots of the surroundings of The Ruins:
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| Dining area of the Mediterranean Restaurant inside The Ruins |
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| Rain gutters for the pocket garden |
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| Main Entrance |
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| Spacious lawn yard where the Italian restaurant is located |
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| The fountain welcoming the guests |
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| pocket garden |
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| Staircase inside The Ruins |
The Italian Restaurant and Souvenir Shop @ The Ruins
One who visits The Ruins can savor an array of Italian dishes concocted by the in-house Italian chef. The restaurant also serves a list of desserts which anyone can enjoy while viewing the nice scenery of the garden by The Ruins.
It's just brunch and our budget is getting tight so we just tried their desserts and will have lunch at Manokan Country before leaving for Manila.
 |
| Decadent Chocolate cake Verdict: Too sweet ganache was used to ice the cake, I was expecting more chocolatey than sweet |
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| Napoleons |
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| Brazo de Mercedes |
For some souvenirs, you can visit the Souvenir shop beside the Italian Restaurant. From key chains, shirts, mugs, pen holders and even fruitcake, for sure there will be one item that you want to be a remembrance of Bacolod city.
I must commend the beautiful interiors of both the souvenir shop and restaurant. They have some intricately hand-painted designs and mosaic tiles made by one of the owners.
 |
| Nice hand-painted design |
 |
| Maskarra decors, reminding you that you are still in Negros region |
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| Souvenir shop interior |
One last photo before heading back to Bacolod city.
On our way back to Bacolod city, we the Negros museum. Hence, we decided to jump off the jeepney and check out what the museum has to offer.
Negros Museum
The museum showcases the heritage of Negros region which specialized in the sugar cane industry. The museum also displays a lot of artifacts during the different colonial eras of the Philippines.
 |
| Cash register in an early Pharmacy in Bacolod city |
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| classic way of preparing Hot chocolate drink |
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| People who ruled Negros province since then and now |
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| Everything about sugar and Negros province |
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| stages of developing and processing Sugar |
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| by products of sugar, rice, and coconut in Negros province |
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| Maskarra souvenir items in Negros Museum |
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| Stages of Sugar |
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| Rice grinder to make different kinds of rice cakes |
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| creative ladle |
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| Replica of an old train used to transport sugar can from the plantation to the factories |
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| Old American water filter and dispenser |
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| old sewing machine from American era |
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| cooking tool during the old times |
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| Mickey mouse money during the Japanese colonial era |
One thing is for sure. We will return to this part of Visayas region as there are still A LOT to see and experience. It's not a very expensive to enjoy this part of the Philippines. There are several choices from accommodations, transportation, and food. You may go local to extend your budget and take local transport instead of an pre-arranged tour.
I am heading to another amazing part of the Philippines, stay tuned! :D
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