Diplomat Hotel

The empty ruined remains of the Diplomat Hotel on Dominican Hill, Baguio City, Philippines have the reputation of being haunted by headless apparitions amongst other things. The building dates back to the early 20th century and was constructed by the Dominican Order as a seminary, covering 17 hectares. Father Rogue Ruano was in charge of the construction and on 23 May 1915 the Collegio del Santissimo was inaugurated. Due to poor enrolment figures the school aspect was closed in 1917 and the building was used as a vacation house/sanitarium

During WWII refugees took shelter in the building until the Japanese forces attacked, causing extensive damage to the property. The occupying Japanese are supposed to have beheaded several of the priests and nuns from the vacation house. According to stories passed down, these murders took place on the ground floor and some rooms on the second floor of the building. There is a rumor that babies were killed near the fountain.

Restoration work started in 1947 and was finished in 1948. In 1973 the building was bought by Diplomat Hotels, Inc who remodeled it into a 33 bedroom modern hotel, whilst keeping a lot of the architectural features associated with the Dominican Friars, including the large white cross on top of it. The rooms were described as being large and eerie.

Tony Agpaoa, major stockholder in Diplomat Hotels Inc and faith healer, managed the hotel until his death from a heart attack in 1987. Many of the visitors were patients of Agpaoa from Europe seeking a miracle cures. With the death of Agpaoa the hotel was closed to the public and declared off limits to visitors, though I believe it maybe accessible now. Whilst it was open as a hotel staff and guests supposedly heard wailing sounds both during the evening and throughout the daytime. A headless priest was also seen wandering the corridors.

The building is now in a dilapidated state and supposedly avoided by the locals who consider it to be haunted. Neighbors have supposedly claimed to hear noises from the hotel, like dishes clattering and people screaming.

There is a rumor that the Diplomat Hotel may be developed as a historical tourist attraction.