Want to get spooked?

MANILA, Philippines – Some souls rest in peace. Some wander in places where they lost their lives.

Travelers share their list of thrilling destinations in the Philippines where you can get spooked — and have a close encounter of a different kind.

1) Baguio’s Diplomat Hotel

Situated atop the Dominican Hill overlooking the City of Pines, Diplomat Hotel has been abandoned since 1987 and has been attracting tourists not for its accommodations but for the spine-tingling experience they get while inside the place. 

Blogger Lauren Denoga of Epic Potato recounts how they were “followed” to their hotel from Diplomat.

“The night that my friends and I were returning to our lodging from visiting Diplomat Hotel, we had two incidents: a camera shutter that suddenly popped and a keycard that wouldn’t work, only to have the door open again.” 

Why visit: “It offers a wonderful view of Baguio City. Just say your prayers for the departed while you’re there — it wouldn’t hurt.”

2) Iloilo’s Casa Mariquit

Casa Mariquit in Jaro mirrors Iloilo’s grand past. But this 200 year-old house built for Maria Mariquit Javellana-Lopez — wife of former vice-president Fernando Lopez Sr. — gave blogger Doi Domasian of thetravellingfeet.com a hair-raising experience during her visit. 

“The caretaker gladly toured me inside the house despite visiting it at 7pm,” says Doi. “When I took photos of certain areas, he made a side comment that ‘someone’ got included in my photos.

“I was having goosebumps all over my body every time we transferred from one room to another. I sensed that we were not alone inside the dimly-lit house.”

Why visit: “Casa Mariquit has been converted into a museum and houses antiques and paintings from well-known Filipino artists.”

3) Corregidor’s Tunnels

Corregidor Island has its fair share of World War II stories. Eileen Campos of possiblypinay.com suggests a visit to its Sublateral tunnels. 

“You will go through eerie tunnels that were the lifeline of Filipino and American soldiers during World War II,” says Eileen.

“Armed with a hard hat and flashlight, you will walk through caved-in walls caused by outside bombing, walk on exploded floors created by Japanese suicide bombings and breathe the thick and heavy air that was their everyday life during the war.” 

Why visit: “It’s historical. It’s not for the faint of heart but it will definitely complete your trip.”

4) Benguet’s Mummies

No need to go to Egypt to find mummies. In Kabayan, Benguet, Mervin of Pinoy Adventurista faced his fear as he set foot on Mt. Timbac, the sanctuary of centuries-old Ibaloi mummies. 

“When my guide opened the coffin found in one of the caves of Mt. Timbac, I felt scared seeing the mummy just beside me,” recalls Mervin.

“There were 8 small coffins inside the cave.” 

Why visit: “It’s one of the cultural treasures of the Cordillera Region. It’s a glimpse to a tribal practice of mummification practiced eons ago.”

5) Batangas’ Mt. Maculot

Mountaineering tests one’s strength, endurance and determination. It can also be a test of courage and faith, just like what Mark Go of NomadicExperiences and his friends experienced during their camping trip in Mt. Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas. 

Mark tells us, “Sitting under the moon while conversing with my friends, we suddenly heard a voice of a woman yelling from below the rocky parts, 300 meters away from the saddle camp site.

“It was a loud, shrieking scream. We hurriedly went back to our campsite with goosebumps. We all knew about the story of Maricar, the young female mountaineer who fell to her death in the ‘rockies’ part of Mt. Maculot.

“Also, another mountaineer hanged himself on a tree in the early 90’s, just before reaching the saddle campsite.”

Why visit: “Climbing Mt. Maculot will give you an amazing 360-degree view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano.”

If you are searching or planning for your dose of horror adventure this All Souls’ Day, visit these places — at your own risk. – Rappler.com

 

Follow the author’s adventures at http://www.tripadora.com.