The concept of "stabilized ruins" is common in the United Kingdom as a way of preserving and interpreting crumbling hulks of old buildings, especially country churches and abbeys. Enough restoration of the ruin is done to help prevent further deterioration but without the expense of trying to rebuild, restore and maintain the building. This concept has been wonderfully implemented here. The building was a lavish early 20th century concrete fantasy of a residence built by a local sugar baron. The Ruins are on extensive and beautifully landscaped and maintained grounds.

The road in is VERY rough but on the way out our driver found a much easier route through a residential subdivision. The location is actually in Talisay City, not Bacolod.

Coming from the USA, we are accustomed to natural areas being in public ownership as parkland. In the Philippines many such places are privately owned and operated. Mambukal Resort is about a 45 minute drive from Bacolod City. It consists of beautifully landscaped grounds in which are set a swimming pool, picnic shelters, ponds, rental cottages, a Japanese bathhouse, a butterfly garden, and a food court. From Mambukal one can hike further up into the mountains to a series of waterfalls. Contact: 034-7100-800.