Foot and Fire

 After the Tinagong Dagat trek, 2009 This is how I looked after traversing the Bacolod to Talisay route using the trail via Tinagong Dagat.  No hiking experience, fresh from 8-5 desk job, no gears (not even a raincoat), I ended up like a Vietnamese finding refuge anywhere in the Mekong River paddies. If you can picture that, you know what I meant. Meanwhile, the expert hikers have raincoats, as pictured below. In short, my first travel tip is: Be prepared to look ridiculous!

Cinco de Noviembre or Negros Day is a commemoration of the Negros Revolution in 1898. It is now observed every November 5 as a special non-working holiday in the province through the enactment of Republic Act No. 6709 signed on February 10, 1989 during the incumbency of President Corazon Aquino. Wikipedia entries narrate that: " The Negros Revolution, now commemorated and popularly known as Al Cinco de Noviembre or Negros Day, was a political movement that in 1898 created a government in Negros Island in the Philippines, informally ending Spanish control of the island and resulting in a government run by the Negrense natives, at least for that part of the archipelago and for a relatively short period. The newly established Negros Republic would last for approximately three months. American forces landed on the island unopposed on February 2, 1899, ending the island's independence." "  It has been stipulated that the Spanish civil and religious authoritie...

An old photo of the mansion-in-the-making. The ruins of the mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson was built in loving memory of his deceased wife Maria Braga after her death in 1911. The mansion of Italianate architecture was designed to be a monument of their enduring love affair. In the eve of WW II in 1942, the mansion was torched by the guerilla fighters and was burning for 3 days, leaving behind reminders of a glorious past. *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** The couple, Don Mariano Lacson and Maria Braga. ***

The Ruins marker. The ruins of the mansion of Don Mariano Ledesma Lacson was built in loving memory of his deceased wife Maria Braga after her death in 1911. The mansion of Italianate architecture was designed to be a monument of their enduring love affair. In the eve of WW II in 1942, the mansion was torched by the guerilla fighters and was burning for 3 days, leaving behind reminders of a glorious past. *** blooms... *** The fountain. *** *** *** *** *** From the window of the mansion... *** Taken from the doorway. *** *** *** Blossoms. *** *** *** *** Of course, the mansion itself. ***

Just before calling it a day after the Palawan trip, the Negros bunch had a side trip at The Ruins. That lady beside me is no haggard-looking, no low bat and no frizzy hair... She is the coolest travel buddy ever. She swam and played under the sun but did not burn a bit, unlike girl in blue... hahhaha. Well, my folks were super happy for taking the side trip because they have never been there too. As for me, oh, the allure of The Ruins never fades, indeed. The aunt and the niece *** Triple power! *** Inside the remains of the mansion! *** The unbeatable cousins! *** Lift it! *** He did, okay! *** A poser already after days of posing! *** It's a small world for them. *** No lowbat for her. Overcharged, actually. *** Aba! Don Mariano and Dona Maria Braga! *** Pocahontas, including the sun-kissed complexion! Lovers in The Ruins... hmmm familia...

These are some of the sceneries at the The Ruins, dubbed as the Taj Mahal of the Philippines. This majestic mansion stands amidst the sugarcane plantation free from the urban wires and distractions. This ruin, located at Talisay City, Negros Occidental, is what remains of the mansion of the Braga-Lacson clan when it was decidedly put on fire to keep it from being transformed into a Japanese hideout during the war. Now, with its additions from the resto, pAsalubong center, mini golf and garden, it is a serene place to spend an afternoon.