TOURIST SPOTS: Essential Heritage Sites to Visit in Bacolod! @TourismPHL

By Abigail Javellana

THE RUINS

Visiting Bacolod City won’t be complete without having a trip to The Ruins of Talisay City. Built by the Sugar Baron Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson in 1911 as a testament to his ill-fated love Maria Braga. The Mansion’s history is comparably similar to the Taj Mahal of India. 

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We loved that it holds many interesting tales and facts within it’s concrete walls. Besides having your picture taken, we strongly suggest you take the group tour. Tours can start any time of the day and can get very entertaining with many interesting facts and jokes about the mansion.

How to get there?

From Bacolod City to Talisay, It surprisingly takes around 15-minutes to reach the tourist site. If you are driving by car (Directions taken from the Official Site) : Proceed to Bata (PEPSI bottling plant) and turn east. About 600 meters, you will see a cell site above a 2-story building on the left. Opposite that building you will see a big sign that says “THIS WAY TO THE RUINS”. You will enter that narrow street leading to Rose Lawn Memorial Garden. Follow the small red and yellow signs on the electrical posts which will lead you all the way to The RUINS.

There is no direct transportation going to the area, you can opt to ride a Taxi, but they will charge you with roughly P200.

 

A tourist who would love to experience a piece of the Family’s Rich history should dine at Don Mariano’s Garden Cafe with dishes passed on by their great-grandparents. They have yummy local fares as well as a selection of international dishes.

DON MARIANO’S GARDEN
Hda. Sta. Maria, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Numbers: +63 92580-00401, +63 34-4764334
E-mail: donmarianosgarden@yahoo.com.ph

 

Kadios Baboy Langka (P255). KBL (Kadios Baboy Langka) an all time Ilonggo favorite dish is a specialty at Don Mariano’s Garden. A favorite of our teammate Sean.

 

Callos (P195) was introduced here in the Philippines from the Spanish Colonial era. The savory stew is flavored with spicy chorizo and traditionally served with olives.  We love the savory stock, it was quite rich, thick and sticky.

They used chorizo de bilbao, a spicy sausage seasoned with paprika. The chorizo de bilbao is a major factor that makes the dish more savory.

 

Tip: The place even becomes more romantic at night when they open the lights at around 6 pm. Special occasions like a romantic gesture with a tent, dinner, candles and the works are catered by the cafe.

(Adults: P95, Students/Senior Citizens: P40, Children below 8 yrs old P20)

THE RUINS
Hda. Sta. Maria, Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Numbers: +63 34 476-4334, +63 917 832-6003
E-mail: ruins@theruins.com.ph
Facebook: TheRuins
Website: www.theruins.com.ph

 

BERNARDINO JALANDONI MUSEUM

Visit Silay’s old houses including The Bernardino Jalandoni Museum also known as the “Pink House“.

 

Trained guides will help you get to know Silay City and show you how the affluent lived during the turn of the century on Negros. (Entrance: P50 free group guide tour)

 

The Bernardino Jalandoni Museum
Rizal St., Silay City Negros Occidental, Philippines
Operating hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +63 34 495-5093

 

BALAY NEGRENSE

Balay Negrense in  Silay City, Negros Occidental was built in 1898 by Don Victor Gaston y Fernandez, Balay Negrense now stands as a reminder of the rich history of Silay. (Entrance: Adult P80, Senior P45, Student P30 free group guide tour)

Incorporating Spanish and American architecture, the 12 room mansion was abandoned during World War. Now a heritage site it was the first museum in Negros. Today it houses various furniture, memorabilia and gadgets from different the old families of Silay.

 

BALAY NEGRENSE
Barangay III, Cinco De Noviembre Street, Silay City, 6116 Negros Occidental
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Phone: +63 34 714-7676
Website: www.balaynegrense.com

 

Overall, we loved Bacolod City’s MassKara Festival! From Bacolod Food trips, heritage tours, colorful parades, vibrant costumes to endless street parties that last until the morning. Our experience wouldn’t be as fun without the smiling faces of the people of Bacolod.  

Our Awesome Guide to Bacolod City

• BACOLOD: Our Awesome Guide to MassKara Festival!
• BACOLOD FOOD TRIP: Eat Like a Local in Bacolod
• Essential Tourist Spots to Visit in Bacolod 
• PASALUBONG: What to Bring Back Home from Bacolod? @TourismPHL

BACOLOD CITY
Facebook: Bacolod-City-Public-Information-Office
Phone: +63 34 434-6751, +63 34 432-1997
Website: www.onebacolod.com
E-mail: onebacolod@yahoo.com.ph 

Live an Awesome Life,

Abi with Boom and Sean
Team Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: Our #BoomingBacolod experience was courtesy of the Bacolod City Toursim office. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.

P.S. We do believe in the saying after your visit in  Bacolod, you’re sure to gain 5 pounds and a smile!

Thank you Bacolod City Mayor’s Office and the Bacolod Tourism Office for a wonderful #BoomingBacolod exerience. Especially to Mayor Monico Puentevella and Mr. Rocky Puentevella for showing us what Bacolod City has to offer. Cheers to a successful Masskara Festival!