decay

URBAN DECAY
A COLLECTION OF RUINS AND OLD BUILDINGS
THE DARK SIDE OF ME

Urban Decay: Casa Real (old Pangasinan Provincial Capitol)

It was built in the 1840’s by the Spanish Government and the first Capitol in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

the provincial capitol today…

its my time off from work and I make it a point that I get to jog early in the morning. my friend sherwin mentioned about an old abandoned resort hotel here in baguio city called acapulco. he is not sure where it is but he said that its near outlook drive so I went on a jog to find it! upon arriving at outlook drive I asked the locals about acapulco and they said that it is located way way down the mountain. I asked myself, where the hell is way way down the mountain? so I decided to walk instead. after asking several people for the right direction and after a 8 km walk, I finally reached acapulco! was it worth? yes because I love old buildings. after reaching the place I felt like I was on the movie “THE SHINING” where I was stuck all alone in a resort hotel. god, I love that movie. I love horror films. and because the place is really old, at one point I felt like im watching one of my favorite tv series “SCARIEST PLACES ON EARTH” and I ended up ghost hunting instead.

now, before I took these pictures I asked permission from the caretaker. he said that after the 1990 killer earthquake the management decided to close the resort instead and I think this property is for sale.

the lobby

going to the meeting room I guess. I was already having goosebumps.

an office beside the reception area. keep an eye on the certificate, it was given 1988. this place is really old…

the garden…

the veranda and the hotel rooms…

all of the rooms are locked. these photos were taken outside the window

the bar…If im not mistaken this is the bar. now listen and look carefully. this is the area where I got scared the most.

now this is the scariest part…I was the only person here. I was trying to take a picture of the bathroom when suddenly…

notice that there are two shadows in the background. the one on the left is obviously my shadow taking a picture using my right hand and the one the right is another shadow which is obviously not mine. its like a shadow of a girl!

and now the pool…

that is definitely my shadow…

…and the tour is over. please come again!

old Spanish kitchen

You can find this old Spanish kitchen at the St. Peter and Paul Parish grounds in Calasiao, Pangasinan. I fell in love with the architecture and I really love old buildings.

DIPLOMAT HOTEL . REVISITED

this place is my cherished retreat every time I want to be alone. this is the third time that I’ve featured diplomat hotel here on my blog. I know it’s kinda overrated since it was already featured on national t.v. several times but up until now I am still fascinated by its beauty and mystery. 

the view from the top

LUNA part 1

I’ve been dying to see this small beautiful town in LA UNION called LUNA. All I think about and speak about is LUNA. I even told DONG HO of escapeislands.com about this place and how mysterious it is. I really don’t know why but I have a thing for old buildings and structures and LUNA has its own magic. I only had one day of exploring the place and it’s not enough but I must say that I fell in love with LUNA!

my first stop was the OUR LADY OF THE NAMACPACAN CHURCH which was built in 1871.

during my church visit, I was lucky to meet the Spanish couple who visit different places in the Philippines riding their bicycle.

I’m wondering why there is a stair at both sides of the church?…

after going to the church I went straight ahead to the OLD SPANISH WATCH TOWER situated at the beach. they say that the tower has a tunnel linking to the church but it was already covered.

this me all alone and free…

this is me at the top of the tower…

it is here at the beach where I met the old woman who picks stones for a living. the shoreline is covered with stones not sands.

I picked some for myself…

this is me sitting and thinking, contemplating, appreciating the beauty of the place. emo mode…

CHAPEL OF THE DEAD

situated beside the lingayen catholic church in lingayen pangasinan is the our lady of mt. carmel chapel. would you believe that new born babies are being baptized here during sundays after the funeral mass in the morning and at the same time wedding ceremonies are being held at the main church.

the main church:

welcome to the chapel of the dead…

later I found out that the chapel is just an extension to the original resting place of the dead located at the main church. I was amazed with what I saw. old graves dating back early 1920’s and the like and during the spanish colonization. the caretaker said that a person close to dr. jose rizal is resting here. I forgot who it was…

LITTLE FLOWER CONVENT

I am attracted to old buildings. I think they have a lot of stories to tell.

little flower convent and retreat house, baguio city

DAGUPAN RUINS

Everytime I get a chance to visit Dagupan city I always make a point to go to the beach. I would sit here all day and wait for the sunset. I’d say…this is my cherished retreat whenever I’m in Pangasinan. I’ve been here several time’s before but I haven’t tried exploring other parts of the beach and this time I did.  After a long walk in a hot sunny thursday afternoon I was surprised with what I saw…it’s like serendipity! I was looking for something and then I found this… To be honest I was looking for the area where Gen. Douglas Mc Arthur landed but I found this. The place is secluded and very peaceful and it was perfect!

these are HDR inspired photos…done by simply manipulating the exposure.

 

…and then I met these children and decided to join them

Remnants of Franklin Bridge

Franklin Bridge also known as Calmay Bridge was part of what historian Rosario Mendoza-Cortes called the Golden Road. The 12 kilometer highway linking Dagupan to Lingayen and to Western Pangasinan. For many decades, this highway was considered the best road in Pangasinan as its surface was arched and reinforced so that it could withstand heavy rains. It had a thick base foundation of rock quarried from San Isidro, Labrador.

The Golden Road approached Dagupan through the barrios of Carael and Calmay. The bridge was constructed by American engineers during the Commonwealth period and was a landmark structure in Dagupan.

In 1935, the bridge, together with the Colegio de San Alberto Magno, a school for boys run by Dominican priests situated at the western end of the river was swept away by raging floodwaters after month-long heavy rains. The bridge was never re-constructed. The short concrete section of the bridge standing today is all that remains of the bridge.

PHOTOS IN HDR