Baguio’s most famous haunted house is the Laperal White House. A place of ghost stories and dark history, it now serves as an upscale French restaurant.
Formerly this was a place we merely stopped for a photo, now we not only go full guided tour, but better still even have dinner here.
What the Baguio?
Baguio, known as the “Summer Capital of the Philippines,” is a high-altitude city tucked away in the Cordillera mountains. It’s a place where cool weather and pine trees meet, offering a refreshing escape from the usual heat of the lowlands. The city was designed by the Americans in the early 20th century, and its colonial charm is still visible in its architecture and layout. It’s a tourist hotspot, but beyond the bustling markets and souvenir stalls, there’s more to Baguio than meets the eye.
For those willing to dig deeper, Baguio is a city of ghosts, legends, and history. The Laperal White House, a former colonial mansion turned fine dining spot, is the most famous haunted house in the Philippines. Baguio’s eerie past and its role during World War II still echo in its narrow streets and foggy mornings. The city is also home to a strong local culture, with vibrant festivals like the Panagbenga Flower Festival drawing crowds each year. Baguio offers a mix of history, culture, and the supernatural, making it a must when you visit the Philippines.
You can see my full city guide here.
Built for Power, Taken by War
The Laperal White House was constructed in the 1920s by the Laperal family, one of Baguio’s wealthiest families at the time. The house was built in a typical American colonial style, with white walls, a grand porch, and large windows designed to let in the mountain breeze. But despite its outward beauty, the house was destined for a much darker history.
When the Japanese occupied the Philippines during World War II, they took control of the White House and turned it into a military headquarters. The house’s reputation as a haunted site began here. There are numerous accounts of torture, execution, and strange events occurring within its walls during the war. Locals say that people were dragged inside and never came out. Rumours of bodies being buried in the garden circulated for years.
The Return of the Laperals
After the war, the Laperal family returned to the house, but the events of the war seemed to have left their mark. Members of the family began dying under mysterious circumstances. One Laperal was reported to have fallen down the stairs, while others suffered from illnesses and accidents. The house itself seemed to take on a life of its own, and the local community began to believe that it was cursed.
Over the years, staff members who worked at the house started to report strange occurrences. People heard footsteps when no one was around, and doors would open and close on their own. The feeling of unease in the house became undeniable. Eventually, the Laperals abandoned the house, and it was left to deteriorate.
Abandoned and Eerie
By the 1990s, the Laperal White House was abandoned and left in a state of decay. Kids from the local neighbourhood dared each other to break in, and there were reports of people hearing eerie sounds coming from inside. The house became a legend in Baguio, drawing paranormal enthusiasts and ghost hunters. Stories of the spirits that haunted the house spread quickly. Locals claimed to have seen a girl in white standing in the window. Some even said they could hear her crying at night. Whether it was the spirits of the past or the building’s eerie atmosphere, the house quickly became one of the most well-known haunted sites in the Philippines.
A Bizarre Transformation
In the early 2000s, the White House underwent a dramatic transformation. The building that had been a symbol of darkness was turned into a fine dining restaurant. The house, which had once been the site of torture and death, now welcomed diners with French cuisine, chandeliers, and a sophisticated atmosphere. The transformation shocked the local community, who had long seen the White House as a place of supernatural activity.
Today, the Laperal White House is known as Joseph’s Restaurant. It’s a strange combination, a historic building with a grim past now serving high-end dishes to guests. The restaurant’s menu features carefully crafted French dishes, and the service is top-notch. The dining room is elegant, with fine china, polished silverware, and candlelit tables.
Yet, there’s something unsettling about eating a meal in a place so steeped in history. You can’t ignore the fact that this house, now filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation, once witnessed suffering and violence.
Dining in the Dark
Despite the restaurant’s elegant atmosphere, there’s still a palpable sense of unease. The old wood creaks underfoot, and the long corridors still hold an eerie silence. Visitors report feeling cold spots in the rooms and describe an overwhelming sense of being watched. Whether these sensations are the result of the house’s dark history or just the atmosphere, it’s hard to say.
What only compounds this though is the fact that the owners really don’t like the whole haunted element and really try and play it down. On our last trip we were lucky enough to meet the owner, who took a very dim view of ghost hunters like ourselves.
The restaurant though and the food is legitimately good and this is probably the best restaurant within the city.
Where is the Whole House?
Address:
Joseph’s Restaurant is located at 14 Leonard Wood Road, Barangay Cabinet Hill – Teachers Camp, Baguio City 2600, Benguet, Philippines .
How to Get There:
From the central Baguio area, take a jeepney bound for Teachers Camp or Burnham Park. Alight at the Teachers Camp junction, then walk approximately 5–10 minutes uphill along Leonard Wood Road. The Laperal White House is situated on the left side of the road, marked by its distinctive white façade and colonial architecture.
Opening Hours:
Joseph’s operates from Wednesday to Monday, with two dining sessions:
- Lunch: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Dinner: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays
Reservations:
Dining is strictly by reservation. Walk-ins are not guaranteed a table, and entrance into the restaurant is subject to seat availability. Reservations can be made from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM by calling +63 917-567-3747 or +63 969-099-8314 .
Menu and Pricing:
Joseph’s offers a range of French-inspired dishes, including:
- Starters: Tomato and Avocado Salad, Cocoa Crusted Chicken Liver Salad
- Soups: Truffle Mushroom Soup, Cream of Cauliflower
- Mains: Pepper Crusted Tenderloin, Duck Leg Confit, Halibut in Ginger-Carrot Sauce
- Desserts: Dark Chocolate Tart, Banana Rum Raisin Crepes
Set menus range from ₱980 to ₱3,150, depending on the number of courses selected. À la carte options are also available .
Contact Information:
- Phone: +63 917-567-3747 / +63 969-099-8314
- Website: josephsbaguio.com
- Facebook: Joseph’s Baguio
Why We Visit
On the Extreme Philippines Tour, we take you to Joseph’s for more than just the food. While the cuisine is exceptional, it’s the history that makes this stop so significant. The Laperal White House is a place where the past and present collide in a way that’s impossible to ignore. The ghosts of the past seem to linger, even as the building serves as a place for people to gather, eat, and celebrate life.
For those who dare to step inside, the experience is unforgettable. It’s a chance to sit down for a meal in one of the Philippines’ most haunted locations, where history, tragedy, and the present moment exist side by side. The Laperal White House may no longer be a place of death, but it still carries the weight of its past.
We visit the Laperal White House on the Extreme Philippines Tour because it’s a reminder of how history shapes the places we visit. It’s a unique location where the spirits of the past mix with the present, creating an atmosphere that’s both unsettling and captivating. And at the end of the day, the food is bloody good, I personally recommend the bone marrow.
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