The Trigger Happy SQ

As promised, the 3rd entry.

The former Diplomat Hotel in Dominican Hill, Baguio City, Philippines is believed to be haunted. In the early 1900’s it was bought by Dominican friars from the American owners. It has now been abandoned.

The stairs leading to the second floor of the abandoned Diplomat hotel. We didn’t climb up to the second floor. We’re scaredy cats :)

One of the fountains in one the hotel’s courtyards. The fountain has headless angel statues. Still, it is quiet in this part of the hotel. Of course, I believe that this part was once beautiful. It still is, just in another way.

The walls of the abandoned hotel… A bold statement of the hotel’s old age and history. The walls of the abandoned Diplomat Hotel, Dominican Hill, Baguio City, Philippines. This was taken beside the fountain in one of the courtyards of the hotel.

Bare corridors and rooms allows you to walk and imagine what could have happened inside. It used to be a rest house for Dominican friars, then a school, then a refugee camp. It was then acquired by a company and made into a first class hotel, catering to foreign and local tourists.

According to some visitors, weird noises and screams can be heard from the hotel. Some say, a headless apparition with its head on a platter had been seen here too.

During our visit there, we were not able to prove this. Not that I wanted to.

Outside the hotel is a small garden. The statue of St. Martin de Porres, (Father of the Poor, Patron of the Needy, Help of the Sick) can be found here. One has a wonderful view of Mount Cabuyao and the city from up here.

And the last photo from the hotel…

The hotel will be turned into a museum in 2009. It will showcase Baguio City’s development through the years. The city will be celebrating it’s centennial year in 2009. I sincerely hope the local government will preserve this historic site. And I hope you guys can visit the place. It is a beautiful place.

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I really didn’t intend a sequel to the previous post but then again, I want to arouse your curiosity on the former Diplomat Hotel. I guess (and I’m expecting) a lot of people will be here come November 1. Some may want to go ghost hunting or just go some place else aside from the usual tourist spots here in Baguio.

Me thinks it is not really creepy inside when you go in numbers. It was a different story for us as I only went with my husband. When someone has a vivid imagination, ghost stories of the place don’t really help. When you’re there, imagination goes into overdrive and it’s hard not to shut down that part of the brain.

Anyway, on with the pictures…

This is what the abandoned hotel looks like outside. Broken windows, walls with vandalism. But still, it is beautiful in a way. It must have been a grand hotel before.

The entrance to the former Diplomat Hotel. I said a prayer before entering.

The only sound we can here inside the abandoned hotel are the water dripping from the ceiling and our footsteps.

The lobby floor is made of marble. At the end of the lobby is a fireplace. A 7-legged wooden table, stands in front of this fireplace. The white table is clearly an antique with huge drawers.

It appears lonely as it is the only furniture in the lobby. Perhaps it served as a bedroom table before. The table seemed to welcome us.

More pictures in the next post :)

“A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.”
– Anonymous

Taken during our last visit to an elementary school in Asin Road, Baguio City. These kids got a little excited when they saw the camera. I was supposed to take a picture of their classrooms but before I can climb up a flight of stairs, they rushed in front of their classroom. So as not to disappoint them, I took a picture of them, still pushing each other… But still happy and excited. Some of the kids were shy at first but I really smile a lot so I think that helps :o)

Manang, alaan da kami man ti pitsur mi!

Translated : Take a picture of us! Manang translated in Tagalog means Ate or older sister. I guess there is no direct translation in English.

There are a number of students in this elementary school and I kind of feel sorry for them because their school is far from the main road. To get to their school, one has to hike quite a bit (with slippery stoned paths). I wonder how they cope especially during rainy days.

But I guess, like any child, that doesn’t dampen their spirits one bit and I admire them for that.

I, of course, showed them their picture in the LCD of my digicam, which got them more excited. I had to smile. Their enthusiasm and laughter are contagious. And because of me taking their pictures (quite a number of times), recess was extended by the teachers hehehe.

Did I mention they spoke perfectly good english? They don’t let the lack of books or school supplies hinder their education. The principal mentioned to me that they were really hard up acquiring books for the students.

I love working with children. During my community duties as a student nurse in Manila, I preferred working with the people of the community, especially the children than an 8-hour hospital duty. There is so much to learn from people and children. I listen to them… Embrace their stories and experiences…