Mines View Park @ Baguio City

A place which offers one of the best views of the Cordilleras? Welcome to Mines View Park.

With the photo above, I would like to say that I am a bit disappointed with my visit to Mines View Park. Why? Because it was literally overcrowded. People blocking pathways, and such. I almost slipped on a large smooth rock while trying to pass through the crowd to take a photograph of the scenery.




The view is nice, though, but there are eyesores on some hills, like houses.

 The overcrowded platform

 Panorama of the view

Entrance to the platform
You may also take a picture riding on horses colored like candy (my goodness) or the large tubby St. Bernard Dog who wears sunglasses and a scarf....for a fee, of course.

the horse must be regretting its life.....

There are also souvenir shops and a commercial garden (extravagant plant store) in the compound, and the Convent of the Good Shepherd is just a walk away.

Visit Mines View Park! :)
 
 

The Grotto @ Mirador Hill, Baguio City

At least a hundred steps leading to an altar? Welcome to the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Baguio City.

The grotto, cut from the Mirador hillside, is a popular pilgrimage destination during Holy Week, where pilgrims climb the 252 steps to the statue.

It also offers a great view of Baguio, and parts of La Union and Pangasinan (including Lingayen Gulf, according to the City of Pines website). But when we got there (after going to Diplomat Hotel), fog was everywhere, so there wasn't much of a view except for near parts of Baguio City.

The view

Steps leading to the altar

I must say....I was exhausted when I reached the top. Note that we were brought by a taxi (you can rent to tour Baguio) there on a road which brings you to the half of the stairs to lessen our burden. I guess this is also a place to get good exercise. :)

But, all my drained energy is paid off when I was able to pray to Our Lady of Lourdes.

There are 2 staircases leading to gates on both sides of the altar. But the area the stars are leading to is off limits. What I know is that there is a convent behind those gates.

When you go to Baguio, make sure to go to the Grotto! :) A pilgrimage site for Catholics, and a breathtaking view for all people. :D

Diplomat Hotel @ Dominican Hill, Baguio City

Searching for a scare in the City of Pines? Welcome to the Diplomat Hotel.

After visiting the BenCab Museum in Baguio, we decided to visit the (now abandoned) Diplomat Hotel atop Dominican Hill.

Luckily, there are no guards near the area, since they will charge you if you want to go inside.

It started as a seminary on 1911 by the Dominican order, hence the name Dominican Hill. But, it also had tough times during the war. It was used as a refuge from the Japanese. Of course, many priests and nuns were killed (many were beheaded) there. Because of the bombing of Baguio City, it suffered extensive damage.

It was reconstructed (1947-1973) and was acquired by Diplomat Hotels Incorporated. It was turned into a 33-bedroom hotel but still maintained the original atmosphere when it was established by the Dominicans.

It was managed by Tony Agpaoa, a spiritual healer (and a quack doctor). When he died, the hotel was closed and is abandoned ever since.

Entrance to the lobby

When we got there, the second floor was being renovated, so the stairs going up were closed. (Crap)

We were still able to explore the first floor.

There were gambling teenagers at the corner over there.

There are many eerie events happening at the hotel and its surroundings. Here are some:

1. (When it was operational) headless ghost, priests and nuns roaming the halls
2. Screams and sounds of agony from the building
3. Doors slamming and plates crashing (note that the building doesn't have doors anymore).

The rooms themselves were also eerie (when it was operational). They're dimly lit with king-size beds and tables at the sides with candles and a bible and crucifix (being a Catholic, I do not consider the crucifix and the bible eerie.)

Now, you are probably thinking if I had an eerie experience in there. Yes, I did. Not very scary, though.

I was walking alone on one of the hallways (not the one photographed above). There is a room at the end of the hallway. I looked inside when I saw something moving inside. Not very much.

Though I am not a skeptic, I do not pass things seemingly moving by themselves as paranormal immediately. I still know how to debunk what seems to be paranormal. There were no one inside the room. All of the windows in that room were shut. Not even a crack was visible. Stray animals are not very frequent in the area (and there is definitely no stray animal in the compound). It doesn't scare me, but makes me wonder.

One of the 2 fountains in the hotel

There was also a family visiting the place. I heard the mother (no I am not eavesdropping) say that she saw her son talk to a nun in the compound. She asked what color the nun was wearing, and the child replied, "Red."

That statement struck me. Number one, there are no nuns wearing red, or any shade of red habits in Baguio (except for the Pink sisters, but their convent is near the Laperal White House, and is very far from Dominican Hill). In the history of the Dominican sisters. never did they have a red habit. Just wow.

When we came out of the building, the fog started accumulating. It started to get thick that it is hard to see the other side of the property.

Fog starts to accumulate.......

obscured view from Dominican Hill

The spirits....they creep up from behind the battered old walls.......

The place is currently being renovated to be turned into a seminar place and a place for receptions.