The Ruins a.k.a. Lacson Mansion Ruins (Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines)

The Ruins also known as the Lacson Mansion Ruins is hailed as the "Taj Mahal of Negros Occidental."

This mansion was built in 1920 by Don Mariano “Anoy” Ledesma Lacson’s who was the youngest of the 8 children of Lucio Lacson and Clara Ledesma from Molo, Iloilo.  It was build as a grand tribute to his Portuguese wife Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga who passed away in 1911 while giving birth to their eleventh child.  Among their 10 children is the former governor of Negros Occidental, Rafael Lacson.

In 1942, it was intentionally burned down by the guerrillas, with the permission of the family, after they heard that the Japanese intended to use it as their headquarters.  It burned for 3 days resulting to the steel and concrete shell as can be seen today.

In 2008, after 67 years of being abandoned, it was developed into a tourist attraction and opened to the public by Mr. Raymond Javellana's family, current owners who are descendants of the original family).

Upon entry, guests will be taken on a 20-minute long tour led by the  Roger Lucero, a reknowned energetic and engaging tour guide.  After placing third in the 2015 season of Pinoy Big Brother: 737, Roger returned to Talisay to pursue his passion for promoting local tourism. Recently, he was awarded the title of Best Tour Guide by the Department of Tourism, Region VI (Western Visayas).

The two-story mansion was built in the middle of his 440-hectare sugarcane plantation.  Thus, the Simborio or local name for smokestack or chimney can be seen nearby.  The mansion had a floor area of 903 square meters with 10 bedrooms. 

At the back, you can find a 4-tiered fountain which used to be surrounded by a beautiful lily garden maintained by a Japanese gardener, who mysteriously disappeared during the outbreak of world war II.

Stories of love continuous as many couples book their weddings at The Ruins.  As the romantic ambiance can still be felt by is still felt by its visitors. True love endures.

Every detail of the mansion are remnants of true love.  These Machuca tiles were especially brought in from Spain.  These were the hardest, famous and most expensive tiles during that time.

Metal columns used in railways were used to reinforce the mansion’s pillars.  

In the Italianate architecture with neo-Romanesque columns, you can find the initials of Mariano and Maria - letter "M" facing each other.

The 2-inch thick wooden floors, doors and windows were made of hard wood like tindalo, narra, and kamagong.

The shell-inspired decor at the top edges of the mansion were a tribute to Maria Braga’s father who was a sailor.   

The marble-like finishing touches on the walls and posts were a mixture of pure concrete with egg whites.  

With the Ruins now available for booking, the flames of burning love lives on as more wedding stories are written within its historic walls.  

Tourists can also relive their experience by purchasing a memento at the Souveneir Shop.

The best time to visit is during dry season in the Philippines, which usually starts in November and ends around May.  An hour or so before sunset is one of the best times to visit the Ruins.  You can watch the magical transition from bright daylight to golden hues as the sun gently descends. 

The Ruins has been ranked as the 12th most fascinating ruins in the world.  In 2016, DOT also awarded the Ruins as the Best Destination (Heritage Sites Category). 

The Iconic (Table) Reflection Shot of The Ruins

It was also awarded by the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers (PICE) as the best landmark in the Philippines.   

The house was also an awardee of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineering (PICE) Landmark Award with a 3-meter high obelisk.

While waiting for the sunset, you can dine at The Ruins Gazebo Restaurant which offers an all-day breakfast, pasta, pizza, steak and more.

There are also soft-serve ice cream and 

sugar cane juice stalls for refreshments.

To reach The Ruins, you can take a jeep going to Bata and tell the driver to drop you off at the road going to The Ruins.  You can also book a Grab ride.

The Ruins a.k.a. Lacson Mansion Ruins
Address	Talisay City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Budget Per Person	Adults: 150 php Senior/PWD: 100 php Students: 80 php Children below 8 yrs. old (accompanied by an Adult): FREE Photoshoot: 1,000 php/1st 5 persons; excess just entrance fee	The Ruins a.k.a. Lacson Mansion Ruins Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (check FB page for notice on closure due to exclusive events) 11:00 am-8:00 pm
Reservation Required	No
Contact	+63  (34) 213-1145 +63 (905) 513-3347

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Mambukal Hot Spring Resort: Top Ten Things You Can Do (Murcia Negros Occidental)

Mambukal Hot Spring Resort is one of the top destinations to visit near Bacolod, Negros Occidental.  We, Travel Tripsters, know that there's no need to convince anyone in including in your Bacolod itinerary.  

Upon entry, you will be charges for entrance fee and parking fee.

Gate entrance per head is:

a. Adult: 50 php

b. Children: 20 php

Parking fee per vehicle is:

a. Light Vehicle: 15 php

b. Trucks and/or Buses: 30 php

  

There are so many things you can do at this 23.6 hectares government-run mountain resort.  Some decide to have an overnight stay here while some decide a day tour or even just a half day is enough. 

Top Ten Things You Can Do at Mambukal Resort

To help you decide your length of stay, we Travel Tripsters shall orient you with the top 10 things you can do during your visit at Mambukal Hot Spring Resort.

1. Bat Watching and Bird Watching

Bat Watching and Bird Watching are free activities you can enjoy at Mambukal Resort.  

Mambukal has several species that are protected by the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 9147).  

Among the bats (also called "flying fox") species in Mambukal bat sanctuary are:
a. Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (Acerodon Jubatus) - this is the world's largest bat specie and is only found in Mambukal resort!
b. Large Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus)
c. Common Island Flying Fox (Pteropus hypomelanus)

Among the birds in the area are:
a. Spotted Wood-Kingfishers(Actenoides lindsayi)
b. Dimorphic Dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx margarethae)
c. Black-belted Flowerpecker or Visayan Flowerpecker (Dicaeum haematostictum) 

2. Kayak in the Boat Lagoon

The boat lagoon is serene and scenic.  You can rent a kayak for 50 php/15 minutes.

Although it is a lagoon, the water here isn't really encapsulated.

The excess goes back to the spring.

3. Explore the Butterfly Garden

Just opposite the boat lagoon is the butterfly garden which opens at 9 am.  The entrance fee is only 50 php so why not spend your 20 minutes or so for an education and photography session there? 

4. Take Amazing Photos

Bench by the Boat Lagoon

There are lots of photograph sites around Mambukal Resort. 

Picket Fences By the LGU Cottages

You just have to explore and you'll be amazed at what you can find.

5. Pamper at Blade Spa

For as low as 450 php, you can get a body massage at the Blade Spa.  It offers cottage services until 10 pm.  If you intend to go there to avail its services, it is open from 10 am to 10 pm. 


6. Eat Your Hearts Out

With so many activities in a spacious 23.6 hectare area, we're sure that you will need to eat to replenish your energy.  There are many options when it comes to food in Mambukal Resort. 

Spring Crossing Short Cut to the Food Court

a. Food Court
Hear the beautiful sound f the spring while you dine at the food court.  From the parking area, you could take the short cut stone steps and cross the spring towards the Food Court.  But, if the spring flow is too strong, we suggest you take the official route.

There are many establsihments offering local dishes and fruit shakes at the Food Court. 

 We heard the best there is Enting's but unfortunately, only Tita Ed's was available during our time of visit.

The Food Court looks hygenic.

You can even wash your hands here.

Chicken Inasal

The food doesn't stand out but if since we're hungry, we try not to be choosy.

Avocado Shake

Shakes are just okay too.


b. Grill


You can also just bring your raw ingredients and some charcoal and grill you own food.  Mambukal Resort does not charge any additional  corkage when you bring food or drinks.

c. Picnic
You can rent a picnic hut (300 php for a small hut and 600 php for a big hut) where you can enjoy your packed meals.

7. Reach the 7 Waterfalls

Because the the 7 waterfalls of Mambukal Resort, it's best to visit this place on summer time because they don't allow you to trek up during hard rains since it it is prone to landslide.  

There are two ways to go up and down the 7 waterwalls:
a. Trekking
b. Take the habal-habal or riding on the back of a motorcycle (50 php/person one-way)

You can choose to mix them up depending on your preference.  Either way, you are advised to hire a guide (guide fee is around 200 php).  The trek to the 1st waterfall is one hour.

Waterfall Tariffs as Follows:
1st - 100 php
2nd - 150 php
3rd - 200 php
6th - 250 php
7th  - 300 php

The first six waterfalls are less than 15 minutes apart.  While, the 6th to the7th waterfall takes around around an hour apart.

The 4th waterfall is technically the real waterfall.  While the 6th waterfall, is the best for experience because you can dive into a 14-feet deep pool.  The 7th waterfall is a natural 4-5 feet pool where you can swim.  You can easily reach this by habal-habal.

8. Detoxify with a Sulfur Bath

Warm Sulfur Dipping Pool

If you prefer warm pools, you have two choices:
a. Warm Sulfur Dipping Pool - which is the most crowded warm pool because it charges a lower rate:
i. Adult: 50 php
ii. Kids: 20 php

You can avail of the lockers for free upon paying for your entrance fee.   The sign says that this closes every Tuesday for maintenance but we were there on Tuesday but it was open.

Japanese Ofuro

b. Japanese Ofuro - we preferred the Japanese Ofuro which is still public but has less people because of the hotter temperature, no kids provision and higher rates:
i. Adults - 100 php

If you're lucky like us, you can even enjoy it by yourselves.  The hot spring water is flowing: in from the higher point and out on the other end.

But, if you prefer privacy, there is the Ishiwata Bath House which was developed by a Japanese architect named Kokichi Paul Ishiwata in 1927.  Unfortunately, because of the heavy rain, we weren't able to check that place out.  The rate here is at 150 php/30 minutes.

Swimming Pool

If you can't stand the heat but want to enjoy the same sulfur minerals  from the spring water (with a mix of chlorine), Mambukal Resort also has a swimming pool with kids provision.  The rate is the same as the Warm Dipping Pool:

i. Adult: 50 php
ii. Kids: 20 php
 
9. Be Adventurous with Outdoor Activities
For those who prefer some adrenaline rush or a sight from great heights, you can avail of these outdoor activities:
i.  Wall climbing - 25 php
ii. Canopy Walk - 50 php
iii. Slide for Life (200-meter long zip line) - 100 php/2 Trips

10. Relax and Stay for the Night
There are many accommodation options at Mambukal Resort but we don't highly recommend this since almost every review we encumbered were dissatisfied with the maintenance of the place.  Check in time is standard 2 pm and check out time is standard at 12 pm.  Choices as follows:

a. Camping - For as low as 30 php/person, you can camp and enjoy the natural sounds of nature while you sleep.

b.  Dormitory - For a big group of 20, you can rent the dormitory for 2,000 php/person

c.  Villas
i. Matrimonial  - 1,700 php
ii. 1 Single & 1 Matrimonial - 2,000 php
iii. 4 Single Beds    P2,400.00
iv. Extra Bed    P200.00

d. Family Cottage - 4,000 php


e. LGU Cottage - good for:
i. 2 - 900 php
ii. 4 - 1,200 php
iii. 6 - 1,500.00 php

f. Tourist Lodge Rooms:
i. Ordinary - 600 php
ii. Deluxe - 750 php
iii. Family - 1,000 php

Accommodations require reservations and 50% down payment so make sure you contact any of their offices at

Mambukal Reservation Office
Gatuslao Street, Bacolod City
Tel. No. (634) 709-0990 | Telefax (634) 433-8516
Mobile No. 09082712174
Email: mambukal@negros-occ.gov.ph
Mambukal Resort
Tel. No. (634) 7100-800 | Telefax (634) 7100-80

Overall, we Travel Tripsters, hope you can now plan ahead for your visit at Mambukal Hot Spring Resort.  We find this a must and affordable stop for your Negros Occidental trip especially if you're coming from Bacolod because it is only a 45-minute jeepney ride away.

Mambukal Hot Spring Resort
Address	Minoyan, Murcia, Negros Occidental Philippines
Budget Per Person	Swimming Pool *Adult - 50 php         Kids 11 years & below - Php20.00         Light Vehicles - Php15.00         Trucks/Buses - Php30.00     Ofuro - P100.00 per person/day     Ishiwata Bath House - P150.00 per person/30mins	Mambukal Hot Spring Resort Map
Payment Options	Cash
Operating Hours	Monday to Sunday: (Maintenance on Tuesdays) 8:30 am-11:30am 1:30 pm-4:30 pm
Reservation Required	No (only for accomodation)
Contact	(634) 7100-800

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