The Haunted Houses of Baguio City, The Philippines

 HE HAUNTED HOUSES AND PLACES OF BAGUIO CITY

 Eerie sounds coming from down the hill from my condominium in Baguio.

Baguio City, where I have a condominium, is the site of many haunted houses and places.  In World War II, American soldiers were based in Camp John Hays and the surrounding areas.  Many atrocities were committed during the Japanese invasion and occupation of the area, including the massacre of civilians. In addition, Baguio witnessed a disastrous earthquake in 1990 which killed many people.  Here are some of the locations where there were scary sightings. I also re-post a video of the eerie sounds coming from the valley below my condo sent by a friend living in the condo above mine. I have never seen anything supernatural though I have been to some of these locations.

1. Loakan Rd. The Pine tree near the Philippine Military Academy.

What was seen: the Loakan White Lady. A cab driver was hailed a woman dressed in white.  He stopped to pick up the woman,  the woman gave the directions to take her to the Filipino-American cemetery where soldiers who died during World War II were buried. Several meters before reaching their destination as the cab driver took a peek at his rearview mirror, the woman was gone as if vanishing into thin air!

Why haunted: It is said that a woman was abused and killed in this area and her spirit took shelter at the Pine Tree at the middle of the road. Some years ago when the government decided to cut the pine tree at the middle of Loakan road, those who attempted to inflict damage to the tree got sick. It is also said that the person who successfully cut the tree fell ill and died.

2. The old Diplomat Hotel on top of Dominican Hill

What was seen: Residents who live nearby the hotel tell of sightings of headless ghostly figures roaming the grounds of Diplomat hotel at night. A group of high school students went to have a drinking session. Suddenly one of them started to talk in an unkknown language and a different voice gesticulated to the students to leave. The terrified students hurriedly ran out of the hotel,

Why haunted: The cross on top of the building is the remaining symbol that this building was once home to the Dominican Priests. During the carpet bombing by the Japanese and the Japanese occupation of the Philippines, the priests, nuns and refugees took shelter in this building. Unfortunately, when the Japanese occupied the Philippines, those who took shelter in this building were killed by the invaders. The towering fountains at the courtyard were also said to be the place where infants were executed by the invaders. After the war the building was bought and turned into a hotel, hence the name Diplomat Hotel.

3. Laperal White House

What was seen: Stories of people passing by the house at night and witnessing ghostly apparitions are common.  One popular story was when a diner from the restaurant just across the street glanced at the White House and saw what seemed to be a white figure at one of the windows of the Laperal White House. The diner didn’t mind it until she went to the restroom of the cafe and was shocked to see the same white figure appearing on the bathroom mirror.

Why Haunted: When the Japanese occupied the Laperal White House and turned it into a garrison, people who were caught by the invaders and who were considered as enemies of the invaders were tortured and killed in this garrison.