Laperal White House: Baguio’s Haunted House

Baguio’s Laperal White House

Ask anyone local to Baguio city about ghosts and one notorious house will creep into the conversation. Known locally as the Laperal White House, this place has gained a reputation for striking fear into the hearts of many.

Its existence came about during the 1920s when a well-to-do family decided to build a summer getaway house. The Laperal’s set their sights on Baguio, being the Philippine’s premium Summer getaway, and constructed a majestic pure white Victorian, completed in an American Colonial style.

Don Roberto Laperal, head of the family, was happy to introduce his wife, Dona Victorina, and growing young family to their new residence. What he did not anticipate, was the dark history that would consume the home, eventually cursing the family and many who came into contact with it.

Misfortune and death seemed to follow the Laperal family, particularly surrounding the White House. Yet, the house was also seized by the Japanese during WWII, being used as a temporary garrison. This, in turn, saw additional dark deeds carried out within the home, including torture, executions and rape.

To understand the dark history of Baguio’s White House is to understand its hauntings.

Hauntings of the Laperal White House

Some tall stories exist that state the Laperal’s were tortured and executed by the Japanese within the home. These stories aren’t exactly supported by truth and the Laperal’s escaped the clutches of the Japanese, later returning to the home after the war. That is not to say the family didn’t experience death within the White House and still haunt the place.

One of the most tragic losses to the Laperal family concerned that of their young three and a half-year-old daughter. It is said that this young girl wandered outside the house, following her nanny. Tragically, the nanny wasn’t paying close enough attention to the young girl to see her wander out on to the nearby street. Here, she was struck by a car, killed by the impact of the incident. Ever since, her spirit is thought to be trapped within the property and has even been photographed on the front stairs of the house. This tragic story doesn’t end there. It is said that the grief and guilt of this accident followed and weighed heavily on the nanny. She supposedly took her own life within the White House’s attic. Her ghost is also said to remain at the home and is often sighted peering out the front windows. Many believe she is bound to the Laperal White House to look over the little girl she failed in life.

Eventually, all of the Laperal’s children would pass away. Some would die inside the White House or its grounds, whilst others would perish outside of the home. After Don Roberto’s wife and his children had died, he also would soon follow. It is told that he planned to sell the house and as he went to walk away from the home for the final time, he collapsed on the front stairway and died. He is now said to haunt the home along with many of his family members.

Some say that torture and execution victims from the war may also haunt the home along with Japanese soldiers. Some people have even claimed to have seen these soldiers’ apparitions in the upper bedrooms. They are also the spirits believed to be responsible for violent behavior including pushing and scratching people.

Visiting the Haunted Laperal White House

Whether you believe the fanciful ghost stories of the Laperal House or not, there is no denying it has earned itself one spooky reputation. Whether it is the home’s history or actual paranormal events having transpired, the Laperal White House is still believed by many to be one of the most haunted places in the Philippines.

Unfortunately, entry into the home is currently restricted. The house has sat empty for some time since an art museum vacated from the premises. The house is guarded round the clock by both a security guard and a large fence. Rumors exist that the home may become part of a larger housing or hotel complex, though its future remains unclear.

If you enjoyed reading this article, you might also like the Old Diplomat Hotel. Another one of Baguio’s most haunted places.

Thanks for reading!

xoxo