Finding Love Again at The Lacson Ruins: The Taj Mahal of the Philippines

fevyulous (63)in Freewriters • 2 months ago (edited)

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When talking about love, I've always thought that loving too much is too good to be true. As human beings, I feel like it's natural for us to fall in love, but how deep can that love truly go? What impossible things has made possible because of "love?"

Nowadays, based on my observations of people around me and on social media, I can say that "love" that's deep and genuine seems rare. In today's world, many people fall in love, but not as deeply as it once was. Let's just look at some of the celebrities or other well-known personalities—many of them get married but end up separating quickly. Even those relationships that lasted for five or more years also fall apart because of cheating issues or simply because the love has disappeared.

Cheating has even become normal for some, and witnessing these has made me believe that love is different today—not as deep as it used to be in the past. Back then, a man were willing to wait years to get the woman's "yes". In addition, their communication before is limited, but even so, their love still succeeds. Whereas today, even though technology allows continuous communication, love fades quickly. Because of these quick forgetting and shallow relationships I witnessed, I couldn't help but lose hope in the idea of true love. It's scary to fall in love and to trust deeply and wholeheartedly.

But who would have thought that when I went to Bacolod for vacation, it was here that my belief in love resurfaced?

After two years, I finally had the opportunity to visit my cousins in Bacolod again for a vacation at their house. Seeing them filled my heart with so much joy because I missed them so much. The day after I arrived, I thought it would be a waste of time if I didn't make the most of my time in Bacolod. So, my cousins and I planned an afternoon of visiting Bacolod's tourist spots. We went to SM Bacolod, Green Lagoon Park, and many others.

In the evening, my cousins suggested that before we go home, we should visit a well-known ancestral mansion that is 102 years old nearby. It is often called the "The Taj Mahal of the Philippines." When I heard that, I remembered the story of the Taj Mahal in India, which is also a famous tourist attraction because of its touching history.

There was an emperor in India then named Shah Jahan. His beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal died after giving birth. Due to the emperor's great sadness at the loss of his wife, he built the Taj Mahal in her memory. I couldn't help but wonder—what was the story behind this mansion? Why was it called "The Taj Mahal of the Philippines?" I couldn't contain my excitement as we headed there.

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When we arrived, I was amazed at the vastness of the mansion. It felt like the mansion warmly welcomed me to the place. It's like a palace built with so much love. The mansion is surrounded by trees and benches. I could feel the serenity as we stood around it.

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My cousins told me that this mansion was called The Ruins, also known as The Lacson Ruins. It is said to be owned by Don Mariano Lacson, a rich sugar businessman. In front of the mansion, there is a beautiful fountain that seems to bring life to the place.

According to them, there is a bittersweet story behind the mansion. Don Mariano Lacson fell in love and married Maria Braga, but unexpectedly, during Maria's 11th pregnancy, she slipped in the bathroom and started bleeding. They called a doctor, but he arrived after four days. Unfortunately, it was too late and Maria passed away along with the baby.

In memory of his beloved wife, Don Mariano built this vast mansion in the memory of Maria and their unborn child. But during World War II, its first floor was burned so that the Japanese could not use it as their headquarters. The remains of the mansion today is a strong testament of Don Mariano's deep love for his wife.

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Upon entering, we were immediately welcomed by chandeliers that seemed to transport me back in time. Inside, you can see family photos—Don Mariano, the owner of the mansion, with his wife Maria and their ten children. There are also pictures of the mansion before it was destroyed. There was even a sculpture of Don Mariano and Maria that added a touch of romance to the environment. It's amazing how they have preserved old photos despite the passage of time. As I stared at the couple, I noticed that Don Mariano has a slight resemblance to Dr. Jose Rizal.

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As we walked around, I noticed that the mansion had two entrances—the main entrance and the side entrance. According to my cousins, Don Mariano's children often pass through the side entrance before because the main entrance was reserved for visitors.

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After walking around and taking pictures, we decided to go home. On our way out, I noticed a restaurant just next to the mansion called The Ruins Gazeboo Restaurant. If you plan to visit The Ruins, don't miss the chance to taste the food here. The design of the restaurant resembles an ancestral house, a perfect place for taking Instagram-worthy photos. Also, it's a great idea to eat here after visiting The Ruins. While you are enjoying the delicious food, you will also be able to enjoy the beautiful view of the historic mansion.

On the way home, I still couldn't believe everything I had seen earlier and the story behind The Ruins. The beauty of the mansion and the story behind it left me in awe. As I imagine the mansion I had seen earlier, I couldn't help but to think of Maria. Maybe, she's so beautiful in person that the grand mansion was built in her memory.

I don't know, but even though I'm a hopeless romantic, I suddenly thought that The Ruins might be the perfect venue for my wedding one day—there's nothing wrong with dreaming, right? But seriously, as someone who likes to visit museums and ancestral houses, I was very impressed with The Ruins, it made me believe that true love exists. Perhaps, we just need to wait and in God's perfect time—the right person will come, someone destined for us by God.

That's all for today's virtual tour to The Ruins, everyone. I'd really appreciate it if you could upvote, comment, and reblog my blog. Thank you so much, Hivers, and have a fabulous day ahead!

#travel #explore #hiveph #theruins #philippines #hivecommunity #family #ocd #bacolod #photography

2 months ago in Freewriters by fevyulous (63)

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rrruelyn (58) 2 months ago

woah! i love everything you just showed!

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