Dominican retreat house now a heritage site

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – The century-old Dominican Retreat House here is the latest addition to the roster of national historic sites in the country.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the city government unveiled on Baguio City Day last Sept. 1 the historical marker declaring the Dominican Hill and Retreat House as a protected historical property.

The declaration highlighted the celebration of the 105th Baguio Charter anniversary and strengthened the city’s resolve in the preservation and protection of its historical buildings and structures.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by Mayor Mauricio Domogan and NHCP deputy executive director Carminda Arevalo for the turn-over of the historical marker and the responsibility that goes along with the prestige and importance of the structure as a national historical site.

The Dominican Retreat House was conceptualized in 1911 after the Dominican order in the Philippines voted for the construction of a rest and recreation house for Dominican priests in their 17-hectare property in Baguio which they acquired from the American authorities.

It was in 1913 under the leadership and design of Fr. Roque Ruano, OP, that the construction of the building began. The retreat house was inaugurated on May 23, 1915.

To take advantage of tax exemptions, a school was established in 1915 and named Collegio del Santissimo Rosario.

The school closed after just two years due to the small number of enrollees, and the structure reverted back to its original purpose as a rest and vacation house.

It served as refuge of Dominican priests and Filipino families during the Japanese invasion in 1942.

It was bombed by the Japanese Imperial Forces and incurred heavy damage. After years of disrepair, reconstruction started in 1947 and was finished in 1948.

In 1973, Diplomat Hotels Inc. acquired ownership of the building and remodeled the interior into a 33-bedroom hotel, retaining its unique and distinct personality.

However, the hotel ceased operations in 1987. The city government acquired ownership of the property in 2005.