When you’re in Baguio, one of the famous landmarks you can visit is the Diplomat Hotel. The Dominican Hill Retreat House, now commonly known as the Diplomat Hotel, is an abandoned structure atop Dominican Hill, Baguio, Philippines. It was built in 1911 by the Dominican Order in a 17-hectare property and served as their retreat house and a seminary in Baguio. The construction of the building was started by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., a Spanish priest-civil engineer who is also responsible for the construction and design of UST Main Building. The design is based on the Spanish Dominican baroque architecture. On May 1915, the building was transformed into a school named Colegio del Santissimo Rosario. However, due to insufficient enrollees, the building was reverted to original use.

During World War II, the building played a big part and served as a sanctuary of refugees fleeing from the Japanese army. Sadly, Japanese troops bombed the hill that caused many death and damage to the building. Then they turned the place into their headquarters where the “Kenpeitai” (Japanese secret police) did barbaric acts such as torturing, raping and decapitating priests and nuns. After the war, the building underwent restoration. The late Antonio Agapito "Tony" Agpaoa, a Baguio-based entrepreneur and faith healer famous for psychic surgery managed its restoration. Together with the Diplomat Hotels, Inc., he remodeled and transformed the building into a hotel. The death of Agpaoa in 1987 (due to heart attack) brought the hotel’s operation to an end and later, to its abandonment. The Luzon earthquake happened in 1990 also made a big damage to the structure.

How did the horror stories start? From urban legends to viral creepy videos and stories spreading over the internet, all of these made a big impact on how the place got its “haunted” reputation. The place was also featured on famous local TV programs such as Magandang Gabi Bayan and Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, making it more interesting to visit to the minds of curious ones. Presently, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council of Baguio City took the ownership of DIPLOMAT HOTEL since 2005. It is now called Baguio Dominican Heritage Hill and Nature Park. Aside from being a tourist spot, it also serves as venue for many events such as film making and pre-nuptials photoshoots. In 2013, it was declared as National Historical Site by the NHCP.

I happened to see the famous Diplomat Hotel during the Panagbenga Festival Joiner’s tour I joined last February 2018. And I must say that it was a bit creepy touring around the hotel. However, I did enjoy my stay there because of the cool weather and the overlooking view of Baguio City from the top of the hotel. During my visit, most of the people I saw touring around the hotel have cameras and cellphones on their hands hoping they could capture images of ghosts and other entities (which I find a bit odd and courageous at the same time). Thank God I had no spooky experience nor ghost encounter while I was there!

How to get there:

                From Manila, there are Bus Lines (Victory and Genesis) located in Cubao that will bring you to Baguio City. It will take you 3 to 5 hours travel time to reach Baguio City. From there, you can choose to take a private car or take public modes of transportation to get you to Diplomat Hotel.

There’s a Jeepney terminal near the Burnham Park that will take you to the Diplomat Hotel. Just tell the driver to drop you off at the Hotel or to the road nearest to the hotel. You can also take a cab/taxi which is more convenient.

Travel note:

                If you’re off on a spooky adventure, it’s best to go here during Halloween where horror stories and paranormal activities are everywhere. Just bring some flashlights with you if you’ve decided to go here during nighttime because available lights are not enough to suffice every dark corners of the building. Make sure to bring enough courage and some of your friends or family for some support (‘cause we never know what might happen!). Also bring your jacket/coat with you; you never know what the cold weather might bring to you.

                By the way, there’s a café beside the hotel if you’re hungry or thirsty.