Strolling Around: April 2015

The Ruins: Philippine’s Taj Mahal

The Story of Taj Mahal in India was one of my Childhood favourites. I first learned about its story years before I learned it in school. I happened to read the story from a local magazine I found on our table.

They say The Ruins is our local version of Taj Mahal. A rich man, Don Mariano who fell in love with Maria Braga whom he met in one of his trips.

So Disney-like landscape - I so like this place. Fountain part's quite romantic.

If my memory serves me right, they had 10 children but on Maria's 11^th pregnancy, she and the baby's not able to survive. The mansion was built in memory of Maria.

This could have been a happy home filled with love.

Inside The Ruins:

When no one's looking, I often go to a little more dangerous area - whenever available, Hahah! It's more exciting and more fun.

This will lead you to the restricted area (second floor):

Now this is the reason why it's restricted. One wrong move, and who knows what will happen to you.

But sometimes, beautiful or valuable things are hidden in those restricted areas. And I was glad I had the chance to see these:

So this is how the second floor looks like:

Almost done with my short tour, but it seemed that there's more to see in this place. I saw this thing and it activated my inner curiousity.

No one's in there. Ooooh! Seeing those colorful leaves made me want to go and check what's in there.

And I found another lovely, romantic place. I hope I could back to this place - I'm pretty sure it looks more mesmerizing and dramatic at night.

Few more The Ruins photos:

Before leaving, do not forget to get some The Ruins souvenir item from their Souvenir Shop.

Going here, private car or hired taxi is a requirement. Free parking, but there's a Php 95 entrance fee. In case you get hungry, there's also a food store where you can eat and stand by should you want to stay there until 8PM.

In case you fall in love with this place, they would be glad to let you have your wedding and other special events at The Ruins.

“Sugar and Other Negros Tales” - this was what's written on that admission ticket that the woman handed to me after I paid the 100-peso admission fee. Someone I knew had already been here and no regrets that I took his advice of checking this place out. I love seeing antiques, both local and foreign, especially if those things have their own interesting story to tell.

Located on Gatuslao Street, walking distance from Bacolod Capitol and Lagoon, Negros Museum houses painting collections that tell something about Negros’ history, it’s people and it’s culture. Tour guides are for bigger groups only, but one of their staffs offered to give me a tour on the first floor. I was the only visitor on that day (Monday, March 2015).

Point of origin: Transycle Bacolod, fronting Sugarland Hotel in Araneta Street. Hailed PUJ, alighted somewhere downtown, took another PUJ ride (route: Mangaldan) and told the driver to drop me off at Bacolod capitol and lagoon. After I took pictures of the capitol building and lagoon, equipped with a (google) map and prayer that I won't get lost (Heheh!), it took me just a few minutes to reach Negros Museum.

I like the accent of their tour guides. They seem to follow scripted story-telling but they were able to give answers in case visitors have follow-up questions.

The First Man and Woman

I learned the story of Mt. Kanlaon in my Filipino and Panitikan in gradeschool. The painting seems to summarize the legend that I had read years ago. The first man and woman created by the God named Bathala. Though Mt. Kanlaon has different legends, this love story of Kang and Laon is my favourite.

Tumandok or Backyard

The inhabitants. Houses - built high above the ground to keep themselves safe from wild animals. Another grade school History lesson.

Fishing

The Negritos / Hunters

Inhabitants with dark skin color, curly hair, and not so tall – foreigners who found them called them Negritos (or Negros), hence the province’ name.

The Burial Practice

Babaylan and Umalohokan – two words from History class that I won’t forget (I just like History subject). Here we have the Babaylan or the female priest who they call to conduct burial practice. The eyes, nose (perhaps lips and ears, too) are to be covered so that evil spirit can’t enter the dead person’s body. After a couple of years, they’ll recover the bones and they’ll put them in a jar or hang them on a tree.

Skilled Boat Makers

A 43-year old boad. Three Negritos can fit.

Barter

The Chinese, willing to travel to the Island of the Philippines to do business with the local inhabitants. No money involved, though.

The Story of Sto. Nino

People from Negros also celebrate Sinulog Festival in honor of Sto. Nino. They believe that through the help of Sto. Nino who appeared in the sky, they were able to win the battle against the Moros.

I forgot what's this painting's all about. But seeing that tattood man, I remember this talks about the
community's leader - the more tattoos, the higher the rank.

Rafael Salas Collection:

Besides the 10,000 book collection of Rafael Salas (somehow connected to former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos – right hand perhaps), you’ll also find photos of all the past governors of Negros. Some of the main streets/roads of Bacolod, i.e Gatuslao, Araneta, and Lacson (adjacent to Araneta) are named after these governors.

Former Gov. Rafael Lacson and Former Gov. Miguel Gatuslao

This newly opened exhibit still on the first floor contains old prints owned by a German citizen. I didn’t find it very much interesting.

On my way to JGM Gallery. It houses collections of around 2,000 (or 3,000) toys from different parts of the words. They’re just a quarter of the total collection of the daughter of Mr. JGM (shoot, forgot the complete name). It’s air-conditioned inside since the toys are made of wooden matetial. Picture – taking’s not allowed, unfortunately.

The Spooky Second Floor:

(Left) Pres. Anecito Lacson, First and Lat President of Negros Republic / In-Charge of North Uprising During the Revolution

(Right) Gen. Juan Anacleto Araneta, In-Charge of South Uprising During the Revolution, Elected as Secretary of War

The Sewers of the Philippine National Flag from Negros: Dona Olympia, Sister Perpetua, and Cousin Eutropia:

There's another room on the second floor where you could fine Japanese, Briti, Pinoy, and American stuff.

Almost done with my tour. Last stop, the other side of the building. It has the replica of this huge train.

People would think that this side of the building’s the “back” part. But according to my second guide, it’s actually the “front/façade” of the building.