There are conflicting accounts of the origins of the Ruins on Bantayan Island. Some believed it to be an unfinished fort from the Spanish period, while the majority of the locals there claimed it was a German house that was destroyed by a typhoon in 2013. It seems more likely that the latter explanation is correct.

Since the island opened to tourists, the damaged house, known as the Ruins, has been a popular attraction due to its appeal for abandoned-themed photography and its location next to the beautiful blue sea, which is a popular spot for cliff jumping and diving. The Ruins have gained increasing attention over the years as more and more people visit the island and share pictures of it online.

It's a shame that such a picturesque spot, the Ruins, which were once filled with historical charm and blended by the nature, has been marred by vandalism and litter. It's disappointing to see this instagrammable location defaced by vandals, especially after seeing so many perfect photos on the social media. Prior to visiting the Bantayan Island, I had such high expectations for the Ruins, but unfortunately, it did not live up to them.

I understand that some may argue that the vandalism at the Ruins adds an artistic touch to the structure, but I strongly disagree. Vandalism is about causing chaos and disharmony, and when it is applied to a building or other medium, it is likely to generate negative reactions from people who disagree with it. In my opinion, if the intention is to make the Ruins more artistic, there are more appropriate and tasteful ways to do so, such as by creating murals or other decorative elements. Vandalism, especially when it includes profanity or vanity, is something that I strongly dislike and find distasteful.

Despite my disappointment with the vandalism at the Ruins, I continued to explore the area and look for other things to do. I saw some locals taking photoshoots, including a prenup shoot that was happening near the area. I also saw other tourists setting up a campsite for their group, having lunch, and enjoying the water by jumping in. While there was nothing I could do about the vandals, I tried to focus on the other activities and experiences available at the Ruins.

The Ruins' cliff diving spots are ideal for plunging with a maximum depth of 15 feet at high tide. However, tourists should exercise caution when diving in this area as there are sharp ridges along the cliff and underwater. Families often gather at this spot for lunch during the hottest part of the day and tend to prefer the deep waters here over the beaches on the island.

As we enjoyed a small meal in this area, I sneaked inside the ruins to take some pictures of its interior. I tried my best to ignore the nonsensical vandalism and focused on imagining what the full interior design of this place could have been like. The house is spacious enough to be used as a vacation or rest house. It could have been turned into a resort or anything else that promotes tourism in the area. I can hardly imagine the disappointment the owner must have felt when the house was damaged by a typhoon years ago.

The Ruins is the final stop of our Bantayan adventure. As I took more pictures of it, I found myself craving for more abandoned buildings like this where I can learn about their historical facts and how they became a tourist attraction or they're put into use in this modern day. The Ruins will definitely not be the last spot of its kind that I have visited.

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jane1289 (74) last year

I've been to Bantayan Island, in fact, I lived there for more than 9 mos. But never saw this part 😅. In what town is this?

themanualbot (71) last year

For real? You've been there for 9 months? and wala jud ka ka-visit? 😅
Somewhere in Sta Fe man ata ang the Ruins.

Oh. Sa proper ako.. Hndi ko nga nabisita ibang spots dun haha

The Ruins - ruined by vandalism, art, or Nah?

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