The Haunted Ruins Of Dominican Hill

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. 

          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. 

           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

The old structure as seen from the main gate

Left flank of the historic structure at Dominican Hill in Baguio City

Right flank

Inner courtyard

Old fountain with water gently flowing

Two guests waiting for any possible ghost sighting

At the courtyard

View of the courtyard from the 2nd level

There is that eerie feeling of being watched.

Nice view from the top

The Ten Commandments tablet. It is said to be the biggest stone tablet in the world.

Dominican Hill is thickly forested with pine trees.

Beautiful flowers abound in the area

Dominican Hill is a nice place to photo shoot.

Souvenir photo with the haunted ruins in background

Part of the 17 hectare property of the City Government of Baguio

Another souvenir shot

The place is now officially called Heritage and Nature Park.

Houses at Dominican Hill near the haunted ruins

Road leading to what was then known as Diplomat Hotel. It is the highest point of Dominican Hill.

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.

Faith healer Tony Agpaoa and family

Tony Agpaoa performing psychic eye surgery.

Old photo showing a Canadian undergoing psychic surgery at the Diplomat Hotel atop Dominican Hill.

Psychic healer Tony Agpaoa is shown doing psychic surgery.