Konted's Make My Day 2: Dominican Hill

Dominican Hill

Dominican Hill is one of the highest points of Baguio City. On a clear day, one can see the city proper, the houses perched on Quirino Hill and the lush greens of the mountains. Turning around towards the opposite direction, one recognizes the long and winding Marcos Highway, the villas at Green Valley and the peak of Mount Santo Tomas.

Perhaps one of the very few places in Baguio where pine trees still abound, Dominican Hill boasts of clean, cool mountain air. At mid afternoon, throughout the year, thick fog moves from the Naguilian area and crosses over Dominican Hill as the scent of burning pine cone pervades the air.

At nighttime, it becomes chilly. The night view of the city from Dominican Hill is astounding as lights glitter from a distance. The beauty of the night scene is actually beyond words. And as one walks through the main road early in the morning, he is bedazzled by the blue hues of the South China Sea.

The first settlers of this hilly portion were the Dominican Fathers who built a big vacation house within a vast estate bought from the Americans in 1911. A school was also built. During the Japanese regime, the place was turned into an evacuation center which was eventually bombed by the Japanese near the end of WW II.

The place gained prominence in the 70s when controversial faith healer Tony Agpaoa bought the place and turned it into a hotel called Diplomat Hotel. Most of Agpaoa's clients were foreigners and they were billeted at the hotel atop Dominican Hill. Business was doing good as it was a boost to Baguio tourism. Unfortunately, Agpaoa died of heart attack. With no more medical tourism to offer, Diplomat Hotel closed down a few years after.

There is still one interesting place to visit at Dominican Hill. There is a grotto of the Our Lady of Lourdes as you begin your ascent. Lourdes Grotto is one of the top tourist attractions of Baguio City. With 252 steps to hurdle to reach the top, it is challenging to travelers who say a short prayer and request for a particular intention.

Dominican Hill exudes the ambiance of the Old Baguio. A place where there is stillness. Where the gentle breeze caresses one's face. Where one sees the radiant rays of the rising sun passing through the needles of the Benguet Pines. Where one is awed by the glow of the sunset. Where the languid soul is in commune with nature. And where one is at peace with himself.

- Konted

* Special thanks to my Baguio friends Peter Mabanta & ex-journalist Tony Bueno.

Lourdes Grotto is located by the side of the road as you begin your ascent to Dominican Hill.

Lourdes Grotto is one of the most visited places in Baguio City.

Houses at Dominican Hill

Quirino Hill is seen at a far distance.

Aurora Hills and the Ketchop Mountain as seen from Dominican Hill

View of the City Proper from Dominican Hill

Foggy afternoon

Fog usually comes from the direction of the Naguilian area.

Peter's place at Dominican Hill

Another cozy place at Dominican Hill

Trying it out

Cold nights mean good sleep.

Gasoline is not much of a problem as Dominican Hill is only a few kilometers away from Session Road.

The vacation house of the Dominican Fathers was purchased by psychic healer Tony Agpaoa. Agpaoa turned it into a first class hotel where he conducted psychic healing. After his untimely demise, the place was abandoned. It is now reportedly a haunted house.