Laperal White House – Here are some facts about this haunted museum located in Baguio City, Philippines, that you should know.
Laperal Mansion located along Leonard Wood Road in Baguio City is a Victorian-style wooden structure, built in the 1930s by Roberto Laperal. The tourist location has a rich history intertwined with the city’s past.
The house was originally constructed as a vacation home for the prominent Laperal clan, headed by Roberto and his wife Victorina. Built with sturdy narra and yakal wood, it features distinctive wooden planks, gables, and a steeply pitched roof – hallmarks of Victorian design.
During World War II, the Laperal White House took on a darker role when it was occupied by Japanese soldiers who used it as a garrison.
Tragically, the troops reportedly raped women and tortured and killed suspected spies working for the United States and its allies during this period.
Despite the tumultuous war years, the house endured, withstanding both natural disasters like the 1990 Luzon earthquake and the ravages of time. It caught the attention of Chinese-Filipino billionaire Lucio Tan, who purchased the property in 2007 with the intention of preserving its historical significance.
In 2013, Tan’s Tan Yan Kee Foundation transformed the Laperal White House into a Bamboo Foundation museum, showcasing Filipino artworks crafted from bamboo and wood. This move not only celebrated the country’s artistic heritage but also ensured the house’s preservation for future generations.
Over the years, the Laperal White House has gained a reputation for being haunted, with believers claiming to have encountered supernatural occurrences within its walls, which added to the house’s attraction.
The house has been featured on television, particularly during Halloween specials.
Today, the Laperal White House continues to captivate visitors as a testament to Baguio’s rich history and architectural heritage. While it no longer houses a museum, the building has taken on a new life as a restaurant called Joseph’s, owned by the older brother of ABS-CBN News broadcast journalist Bernadette Sembrano.
The Laperal White House stands as an example of preserving the past while adapting to the present.