The Ruins, Bacolod

The Ruins, in Talisay City, was the largest residential mansion built then. This mansion belongs to sugar baron Don Mariano “Anoy” Ledesma Lacson (1865-1948.) Built after the death of his wife Maria Braga (1911) and served as the residence of their unmarried children. But, in the early part of World War II, USAFEE and then guerrilla fighters built this mansion to prevent the Japanese forces from making this structure their headquarters. It was burning for three days, leaving no traces of its glorious past, but still, the effort of the workers paid off because its gorgeous RUINS are still standing and part of our today.

My Solo-Backpacking in Negros Occidental and Iloilo

After my successful Cebu solo backpacking, another solo backpacking trip to the Visayas was planned - this is it: a solo backpacking trip in Western Visayas. The language barrier wasn't a problem because Hiligaynon has similarities to our native language in Romblon. During my travel, I learned that the Negrenses are accommodating and have a good sense of direction. For simple questions like, "Where is it located?" they provided me with detailed instructions. In general, Negros Occidental and the province of Ilo-Ilo are Must Visit provinces in the Philippines. Sorted according to my itinerary, historical, heritage, and tourist spots below were my destinations.

Balay Negrense

It is a century-old house in Silay City owned by Victor Fernandez Gaston, the eldest son of a prominent sugar baron Yves Leopold Germain Gaston and Prudencia Fernandez. It was built between 1897 and 1901, abandoned in the mid-1970s, repaired by the government, and inaugurated on October 6, 1990. Balay Negrense is just one of the century-old houses along Cinco de Noviembre Street, Silay City. This street is remarkable because of the historical value that transpires to the people. Its name is a Hiligaynon phrase; Negrense refers to the people living in the province of Negros and Balay or a House.