The Trigger Happy SQ

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 :)

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.