The Haunted Ruins Of Dominican Hill
There is that eerie silence when one steps inside the old structure. The hallways are bare with walls in fading, dirty white. There are spots that look like blood stains.
Rain water occasionally drops on the floor, forming puddles. The inner courtyard, with ornamental plants visible and moss sticking to the walls, has, for its center piece, an old fountain with water gently flowing. And as one makes his way to the upper level through a narrow, old staircase, the creepiness increases.
Located at the highest point of Dominican Hill, the place used to be a vacation house of the Dominican Fathers during the American Regime.
Located at the highest point of Dominican Hill, the place used to be a vacation house of the Dominican Fathers during the American Regime.
When World War II broke out, civilians took refuge at what seemed to be a safe place. But Japanese troops forcibly occupied it until 1945 when the American Forces bombed the place to begin the liberation of Baguio and the Cordilleras.
The area, thickly forested with Benguet Pines, gained prominence in the 70s when psychic healer Tony Agpaoa turned it into what was then popularly known as Diplomat Hotel. But with his untimely death a few years after, it was abandoned and remained idle. The City Government of Baguio now owns the wide area atop Dominican Hill.
Old folks tell stories of ghost sightings, of wailings presumably from victims of Japanese atrocities, of screeches said to be from the spirit of Japanese soldiers who didn't make it back to their homeland, of moans from Agpaoa's patients who breathed their last at the numerous rooms of the old hotel. These stories all the more make the place mysterious and scary.
Today, the old haunted house at Dominican Hill is one of Baguio's top tourist attractions. Visitors, from near and far, come in droves to see for themselves what others before them have experienced.
Old folks tell stories of ghost sightings, of wailings presumably from victims of Japanese atrocities, of screeches said to be from the spirit of Japanese soldiers who didn't make it back to their homeland, of moans from Agpaoa's patients who breathed their last at the numerous rooms of the old hotel. These stories all the more make the place mysterious and scary.
Today, the old haunted house at Dominican Hill is one of Baguio's top tourist attractions. Visitors, from near and far, come in droves to see for themselves what others before them have experienced.
Paranormal believers, as well as skeptics, make their own observations to further prove their point. Some photography enthusiasts, using SLR or digicam, have made the 17-hectare city government property their training ground. Admission is free and with ample parking slots.
- Konted
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| The old structure as seen from the main gate |
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| Left flank of the historic structure at Dominican Hill in Baguio City |
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| Right flank |
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| Inner courtyard |
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| Old fountain with water gently flowing |
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| Two guests waiting for any possible ghost sighting |
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| At the courtyard |
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| View of the courtyard from the 2nd level |
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| There is that eerie feeling of being watched. |
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| Nice view from the top |
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| The Ten Commandments tablet. It is said to be the biggest stone tablet in the world. |
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| Dominican Hill is thickly forested with pine trees. |
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| Beautiful flowers abound in the area |
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| Dominican Hill is a nice place to photo shoot. |
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| Souvenir photo with the haunted ruins in background |
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| Part of the 17 hectare property of the City Government of Baguio |
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| Another souvenir shot |
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| The place is now officially called Heritage and Nature Park. |
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| Houses at Dominican Hill near the haunted ruins |
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| Road leading to what was then known as Diplomat Hotel. It is the highest point of Dominican Hill. |
