RUINS after RUINS

Some ruins of ancient times are much more beautiful than the best buildings of modern era. -Mehmet Murat Ildan

Visiting different places does not only give us something new to see but it also teaches us different stories and/or different lessons in life. Stories and lessons that can help us say how beautiful life is or what a wonderful story they have and even make us reflect and ponder on things as we hop from one place to another.

I travel and go to different places I haven’t gone to before not just to see their tourist destinations or eat and try their famous delicacies. I visit these places because of curiosity. I go to these places because I want to know more about these beautiful sights. I know the internet is there to answer me however, it’s just different when you get to know the history or the story behind these beautiful sceneries from the locals living in these places or from your tourist guide plus the idea that you are witnessing it right before your eyes. It feels different when you are in that exact place while hearing the story – goosebumps, amazement, and happiness.

From the places I have visited before, there are these Ruins as we call them that have a great view and good stories behind them. And I find it fascinating how these ruins still look appealing and beautiful in the eyes of the visiting tourists.

Let me give you a glimpse of these beautiful ruins with their stories.

THE RUINS, NEGORS OCCIDENTAL

This Ruin was given different nicknames: Taj Mahal of Talisay, Taj Mahal of Negros, and Taj Mahal of the Philippines. Privately owned by the great-grandchildren of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson and Cora Maria Osorio Rosa-Braga. They have preserved this in its ruined state as a tourist attraction that can be visited by different tourists around the globe.

The Ruins was an ancestral mansion of the family of a wealthy sugar lord Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson. This was built on a 440-hectare sugar plantation in Talisay City, Negros Occidental in the early 1900s in memory of his Portuguese wife Maria Braga Lacson who died during the birth of their eleventh child. During World War 2, Filipino guerillas burned it down (burned for 3 straight days) as a countermeasure to prevent the invading Japanese forces from using it as a military office. (Source)

A glimpse of the mansion at night.

The front view / entrance of the mansion.

GUISI LIGHTHOUSE RUINS, GUIMARAS ISLAND

Located in Guisi, Dolores, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, the southern entrance to Iloilo. A 17.5 m (58ft) octagonal cylindrical tower completed in 1896 similar to the Cabo Bojeador and Cabo Engano lights. The entire light station is in ruins. This has now become one of the go-to destinations when going around the small island of Guimaras.

The Guisi Lighthouse was built by the Spanish government in 1894-1896 as part of the master plan form the lighting of the Marine Coasts of the Philippine Archipelago. The plan was aimed at lighting the Philippine seas and channels to guide ships in and through the most important sea channels to the ports of Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu. Known as Faro de Punta Luzaran, the lighthouse served as a navigational aid to the fishermen and sailors cruising Panay Gulf. (Source)

In the aisle of the ruins.

A closer look of the octagonal cylindrical tower.

CUARTEL AND BALUARTE RUINS, OSLOB, CEBU

When visiting Oslob, Cebu, you can have a side trip to the Cuartel and Baluarte Ruins. These are two ruins located near each other. Considered as a heritage site and a tourist attraction.

The Cuartel Ruins is an edifice built by the Spaniards way back in 1860 during the Spanish era. It is made of thick coral stones which made the edifice so sturdy it even withstood and remained firm despite many calamities (like typhoons and earthquakes). It is supposed to house Spanish troops in Oslob but when the Americans arrived, the Spaniards fled away leaving the construction of the Cuartel unfinished.

The inside of the unfinished cuartel.

On the other hand, the Baluarte is an acient watch tower built in 1788 having the main purpose of providng help a safe place where guards could monitor the neighboring area. (Source)

The remains of Oslob's Baluarte.

ABANDONED HOUSE RUIN OWNED BY A GERMAN IN BANTAYAN ISLAND

When you’re in Bantayan Island, you’ll definitely not miss this well-known sight on the island. This sight is a ruin house destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda. Few distance from this house is a cliff where you can jump off for a dip. However, if you can’t take jumping from a 20 ft. cliff, you can find a staircase down to the waters few steps from the cliff.

Late in 1900’s, A German built this house but left the property after few years because of unknown reasons. Since then it more and more became a ruin with a mysterious saga. (Source) (Source)

BANTAY BELFRY RUINS, ILOCOS SUR

Also known as the Bantay Watchtower. Standing at the top of the small hill of the municipality of Bantay, about 10 minutes away from the City of Vigan. The belfry served as the watchtower for the town and for the nearby capital city of Vigan during the Spanish colonial period. This ruins symbolizes how the area has remained steadfast amidst various threats.

The word bantay in Tagalog means guard which serves its purpose during the time it was built in 1591. It served as a watchtower for the Spanish colonists as a defense against the potential risk of invading pirates. It was also used as a watchtower during the two World Wars due to its strategic location. (Source)

This area here is the perfect spot to take a photo of the whole view of the Bantay Watchtower.

I guess, ruins are not just ruins. It’s not just a debris left after a disaster. It’s also a story, part of our history worthy of attention and/or a lesson needed in life. And, yes, of course, a nice background for our pictorial sessions. 😅

These ruins may not be serving their original purpose when it was built but they now serve a different purpose, still a beautiful one.