LIM, Kayla Mae

PANGAN, Juan Miguel

TEODORO, Franchesca Jhocel
AR311 - ARCH31S7
December 13, 2022

ASSIGNMENT - LOST ARCHITECTURE

Choose any Forgotten or Abandoned Heritage Site. 

1. Documentation (Background, History, and other important details of the structure/site)
2. Photo Documentation
3. Discuss its Spirit of Place and Cultural Significance based on your observation
4. Conclusion why it should be preserved and it is considered lost architecture

DIPLOMAT HOTEL
The structure that we chose is the famous abandoned structure and tourist spot in Baguio City, the
Diplomat Hotel

The Dominican Hill Retreat House, also known as the Diplomat Hotel, is an abandoned building on
Dominican Hill that is a popular location for photo shoots, cosplay photo shoots, airsoft competitions, and
more. Despite being in ruins, practically every visitor to the City of Pines makes a point of stopping by this
location since it is among the most scenic and sweeping places in the city. However, because of its violent
and gruesome World War II past, paranormal enthusiasts believe it to be haunted.
The construction of the structure began in May 1911 when American Dominican Order (or Order of
Preachers) friars and a few Spanish members decided to build a vacation home in Baguio for themselves
and their order's nuns. The first property purchased was a 17-hectare hill property from Americans living in
Baguio. Dominican Hill was given the name of the hill where the structure was to be built.

The structure was designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., a member of the order and a civil engineer. He was
the same architect that designed the main structure on the University of Santo Tomas' present campus.
According to the book, it was the Dominican Order in the Philippines that decided the construction of the
hotel in 1913. Construction was completed in May 1915.
The two-story rectangular building has two interior courtyards with eight large rooms for the first and
second floors while at the rooftop is a Gyronny Cross of the Dominican Order.
This 2-storey building, an example of CLASSIC BAROQUE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN with its striking
details and admirable design, is a fusion of European church design, blended with local materials and
motifs. Its rusticated facade has a porte cochere over a driveway.
The design is based on the SPANISH DOMINICAN BAROQUE ARCHITECTURE. The building was the
first building ever built in the City that was considered earthquake-resistant and with a rain harvesting
facility.
The ground floor, with SEMICIRCULAR ARCHED WINDOWS, and the second floor, with RECTANGULAR
WINDOWS, are separated by a horizontal cornice. The cornice, at the roof deck level, is located
above corbels.
Planned out as a castle complete with crenelations, it has a massive fortress-like character. This is also the
first hotel in the country, and even in Asia, to have a cross on its gabled main entrance. From this stone
crucifix on the roof deck, a panoramic view of the city can be seen. Its roof also has water collecting
devices. Inside are two courtyards, both with multi-tiered fountains.
During World War II, the people fleeing from the Japanese sought refuge within its walls. Because of its
commanding view of the city, the Japanese Imperial Army turned the compound into their headquarters and
garrison. Within the courtyard and its grounds, the Kempeitai (Japanese secret police) committed barbaric
acts such as torture, rape and decapitation of priests and nuns, as well as refugees.
 Baroque scroll ornamentation at jambs and the top of the main entrance

The cross at the front of the hotel. Below it is a bas relief of a probable Dominican shield with a crown on
top and a dangling rosary

The rehabilitated west wing of the building

 The east wing of the building

Fireplace at hotel lobby. Tony Agpaoa is said to haunt this area

Multi-tiered fountain at Courtyard No. 1. Babies and little children were said to have been murdered here
during the war
 Exhibit at west wing

Grand stairway leading to second floor Headless ghosts of nuns and priests are said to haunt these hallways.

Second floor hallway.  Note the still intact, circa 1970s crazy-cut marble flooring.  Floor
beams are supported by decorative coorbels
Secondary stairway Cross seen from the roof deck.  A nurse was said to have
jumped to her death at this area

Fireplace at east wing

Roof deck

TIMELINE AND HISTORY OF DIPLOMAT HOTEL

1913 – 1915
According to the Diplomat Hotel's historical monument, construction on the building began in 1913 and was
completed in 1915. However, the Dominican Hill and Retreat House remained retained its name at that
time. The Dominican Hill and Retreat House in Baguio City functioned as the Dominicans' holiday home at
that period.

1915 – 1918
According to the historical monument placed on the hauntingly beautiful building, the Dominican Hill and
Retreat House was converted into the Collegio del Santissimo Rosario school between the years of 1915
and 1918. Nevertheless, the building's service as a school was only for a brief time.

1918 – 1940
According to the timeline and brief history shown in the foyer of the former Diplomat Hotel, close to the
entrance, the Collegio del Santissimo Rosario school was renamed Dominican Hill and Retreat House in
1918 since there weren't enough pupils to attend. (Only 6 students enrolled in 1917)

1940 – 1945

The Refugee Center of the Dominicans

Baguio City through a horrific ordeal during this time. When World War II broke out, the
Dominican Hill and Retreat House building was transformed into the Dominican Refugee
Center. The building provided sanctuary for persons who were running from the
Japanese Forces.

The Japanese Headquarters

The Dominican Refugee Center was overrun by the Japanese during this time, and they used it as
their main base of operations. There, it was said that children and newborns had been slaughtered
along with nuns and priests who had been decapitated. It makes sense why some persons assert
to have witnessed headless apparitions and to have heard sporadic sobbing. Those apparitions
and eerie noises may have originated during this time.

The Philippines' Liberation

 The building, which was already a Japanese Headquarters at the time, was attacked by Americans
during the liberation of the Philippines in 1945. On the other hand, the Japanese troops killed
themselves there.

1945 – 1948
The building that was damaged by the bombing during this period underwent rehabilitation before being
completely rebuilt.

1972 – 1986
If you're still perplexed about how the Diplomat Hotel received its name, know that it happened during this
period. The property was purchased by the Diplomat Hotels Corporation, which turned it into a hotel, giving
it the name Diplomat Hotel. The person in charge at the time was Antonio Agapito "Tony" Agpaoa, a
businessman, psychic surgeon, and spiritual healer. Sadly, Tony Agpaoa passed away in 1987 after having
a heart attack. The Diplomat Hotel has stopped operating after Agapao's passing, and it is currently closed
to guests.

2004 to this date

From the year 2004 up until the present, although the place is still very well-known by the name Diplomat
Hotel, it is already named Baguio City Heritage Hill and Nature Park. Heritage Hill has also been declared a
Cultural Property by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

SPIRIT OF PLACE AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

The presence of this structure is significant as it reflects the tragic event happened at the area back in the
Japanese Colonial Era. The spirit of the place was represented by its interactive existence to the visitors,
the architectural elements and its history, which gives a more comprehensive understanding of the past for
the present and future generations. It is important to pay respect to the victims who have passed on in this
structure just by letting it erected, because preserving this means that these people are still remembered.
Preserving our culture is vital for us because it is an indication of who we are, and this structure is a part of
it. It represents our country’s resiliency that made us who we are today. With its existence, we can promote
our culture while telling our story.

CONCLUSION
Diplomat hotel in Baguio, also known as Dominican hill and retreat house (1915) was designed by Fr.
Roque Ruaño. During World War II, it is considered the grandest and most expensive stone structure in the
city. It can be considered as lost architecture because its design is for war purposes. Which then converted
into a school, a hospital, and a hotel. Future structures aren’t designed like this because the world isn’t
focused on world wars. The world is more focused on constructing commercial buildings to engage in
globalization.
Structures surpassing 50 years and still standing are considered as heritages. Diplomat hotel stands still
surviving the war and other historic events. Architectural heritages have become part of our history. It holds
stories of its time and what purpose it serves to the place. Its mere existence is valuable enough to be an
attraction and a memoir of the historical events that encompass it. In preserving architectural heritages, it’s
just not the building we preserve but also the stories and history of it.