The Trigger Happy SQ

Rumored to be haunted, the former Diplomat Hotel stands on top of Dominican Hill, near the Lourdes Grotto here in Baguio City, Philippines. The hotel ceased its operations and was declared an off-limits zone when Tony Agpaoa, the owner/manager of the hotel died of a heart attack (link here).

The building was a resthouse and seminary (Year 1911) before it was turned into a hotel.

During the 2nd World War, Dominican Hill was occupied by refugees fleeing from the Japanese Army Liberation Forces. Later the Japanese forces bombed the refugees out which resulted in extensive damages to the main structure and the surrounding area. Reconstruction work started in 1947 and was completed in about a year. (Source)

We were asked by the guard what our purpose was in going there. Then he let us sign the logbook. I think it’s best to go here early in the morning. I think the fog in the afternoon will contribute more to the ‘eerie feeling’ of the place.

I have to admit, after reading stories in the internet, I felt quite nervous when I entered the former hotel. Water was dropping from the ceiling. It is dilapidated and eeriely quiet.

I think it will be made into a first class hotel named “Baguio Heritage Hotel”.

This coming 2009, the former hotel will be made into museum showcasing photographs and documents of the city’s development over the years.

A photo taken this morning with SK and SS in Mines View Park.

When I was a kid, I remember children climbing the steep slopes of the lookout to catch coins thrown by visitors. This was of course dangerous and has now been banned by the city government.

From the name of the park, one could see the Cordilleran mountains and the mines operated then by Benguet Corp. The mines however have stopped their operations and are now replaced by residential houses.

While in the park, one can take pictures of pink-haired horses (for 10 pesos), buy souvenirs, handicrafts, food (like inihaw na pusit or grilled squid) and plants.

The Baguio Botanical Garden is along Leonard Wood Road, going to Wright Park. The morning we visited the place, there were not many people so we had the park to ourselves. I remember there were many flowers there when I was a child. If you ask me, I think it has not been kept as it should be over the years (just like the other parks of Baguio). It is kinda sad to see these beautiful parks in this state and I hope the local government will take action on it ASAP.

I managed quite a number of shots but was disappointed when I reviewed the images in the computer. The pictures I took were over-saturated. I had the wrong settings! Lesson learned.

Here are some shots from the botanical garden.

>> Mother and Child statue in the Baguio Botanical Garden

The statue, named “Mother and Child” is one of the three statues in the Baguio Botanical Garden. The tablet below the statue describes how infants and young children were taken care of in the Cordilleras. Babies were carried on a sling on the back as the mother does her chores.

>>Birds of paradise and a statue of a Cordilleran Warrior

below : Lady of Peace statue