Bataan, Philippines... a Tourist Destination!

A vacation is something that each one longs for to break the monotony of daily activities and chores that we do, whether in school, at home or the workplace. It is a period of time to spend away from all the usual buzz and grind of our busy lives that gives us the "wear and tear." Everyone acknowledges the need for one yet only a few really takes advantage of this much deserved hiatus to hibernate and be rejuvenated! Sadly, a vacation has become "wishful thinking" for some. It is true that it takes time and money to enjoy a nice sojourn in a beautiful place that it seems to be a thing of luxury not everyone can afford but overall careful planning and saving will allow you the leisure and pleasure of one unforgettable getaway. As they say, you can always make more money but not beautiful memories.

It is best to spend a vacation in a place you've never been to as it allows the senses to open up to a whole new discovery and adventure! Yes, the sun shines and sets unfailingly each day but experiencing it in another location, close to nature such as the beach, gives out an exhilarating feeling! To wake up in an enthralling, strange place for the first time sharpens all senses as you inhale and breathe out the fresh, crisp morning air... you just don't smell it but can actually taste the cool salty sea breeze that gently embraces you at the same time as the waves make gentle lapping sounds and your eyes feast on all the glorious beauty that suspends time and freezes the moment as a lovely memory, such as Bataan.

Basking in the Bataan Sun

Breathing... Tasting... Seeing...Hearing... Feeling... Ahh, such a lovely, lovely morning in Bataan!

The original vacation plan was to visit Pangasinan on the third Wednesday after Easter, in time for the Our Lady of Manaoag's Feast Day. One of my sisters is  a devotee of the Our Lady of Manaoag who visits the church yearly with her family. She invited me, my other 2 sisters, my only brother and my BFF to join her this year. My brother however, declined the invite because of work schedule conflict. So, it was supposed to be an all-girls pilgrimage and leisure trip. We already made plans to stay for 2 nights and 3 days to enjoy the province that is a popular tourist destination due to its tour of the 100 Islands and the many food delicacies it offers! Unfortunately, my two sisters backed out due to more important commitments and the devotee sister could only spare one day then head back to the metro. I have visited Pangasinan several times in my childhood, being my mom's birthplace and we still have a lot of relatives living in this part of Luzon. It will definitely be worthwhile to go back to touch roots some other time. 

For the meantime, since BFF and I already filed our vacation leaves from work, we checked out other options available. We made a list of nearby provinces then separately researched each and compared notes. Bataan emerged as our best choice after deliberation and elimination due to its proximity, exciting places to visit, fun activities and rich history. It was a very good decision!

A short 3-4 hour travel by land, our first stop was at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) or the Mount Samat National Shrine in the town of Pilar. You should not miss this spot when touring Bataan. It is the very heart and essence of the province, the legacy of its ancient heroes, the valiant warriors of WWII "...whose blood soaked every rock of this land so that this nation might endure,".

Lest we forget...

The Mount Samat National Shrine is a fitting memorial to honor the gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942 that is called, The Battle of Bataan. Around 78,000 exhausted, sick and starved men surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, as prisoners of war and was led to the brutal horrors of their Death March which was later on judged as a Japanese War Crime. The scene of their last stronghold was at Mt. Samat, the very site of the Dambana ng Kagitingan. The shrine was designed by Lorenzo Del Castillo and Landscaped by Dolly Quimbo-Perez.

The entrance fee to the park is surprisingly affordable for only P20. The well-maintained area is said to be approximately 73,665 hectares (182,030 acres.). From the parking lot, there is a wide three series of steps. At the center of the topmost landing, is the Philippine flag, majestically hanging on its pole being blown by the wind, as if waiving its warm welcome to visitors.

Hike to the top!

The Philippine Flag, majestic and proud!

The last series of steps to the Colonnade level are bordered on two sides by two pedestals topped with bronze urns symbolizing the eternal flame that will forever burn in the hearts of the Filipinos for the bravery of the heroes of WWII.

One f the 2 bronze urns symbolizing the Eternal Flame.

"The Colonnade is a marble-clad structure surrounded by an esplanade, itself surrounded by marble-clad parapets. The outer side is covered with 19 high relief sculptures by National Artist Napoleon Abueva, and alternates depictions of the war with 18 bronze insignia of USAFFE Division units by Talleres de Maximo Vicente, Leonides Valdez, and Angel Sampra and Sons. Each bronze insignia has a flagstaff for the flags of each division.

In the center of the Colonnade is the altar, behind which are three religious stained glass murals designed by Cenon Rivera and executed by Vetrate D'Arte Giuliani of Rome, Italy. Four large bronze chandeliers hang from the ceiling, while inscribed in marble on the two lateral walls is a narrative of the “Battle of Bataan”." Source: Wikipedia

Rear view of the colonnade with the beautiful 3 paneled stained glass murals!

In the center of the colonnade is the altar, behind which are the 3 stained glass mural
and hanging from the ceiling are the classic bronze chandeliers .

 

Posing at the altar with the stained glass murals as background!
Such a remarkable work of art!

3 of the 18 bronze insignia of USAFFE Division units
and the alternates high relief sculptures depicting the war. 

Wall inscription of The Battle of Bataan

Beneath  the Colonnade is an underground war museum with a rich collection of armaments, uniforms, photos, paintings and other WWII Memorabilia.

Mt. Samat War Museum

One particular exhibit that caught my attention was the tattered, worn out 3 pairs of shoes probably used by the Prisoners of War during the Death March. I imagined to have stepped on those shoes and experienced the utter ugliness of a world war! Goose bumps!

Imagine, walking a thousand miles on someone else's shoes...

Another interesting exhibit that moved me was a framed photo of General Douglas MacArthur's landing in Palo, Leyte. He looked determined and proud with his chin up and chest out as he marched forward with other officers and soldiers. In my mind, a dramatic entrance followed by his 2nd most famous line: "People of the Philippines, I have returned! By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil." 

Yet, when I came across a popular epic war poem with the lines below, it stung my eyes...

We're the Battling Bastards of Bataan,

No Mama, No Papa, No Uncle Sam,

No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces,

No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces,

And nobody gives a damn!    

Click LINK to read the full text of the poem, The Battling Bastards of Bataan by Frank Hewlett I make no claim that the poem's text found on the link is the original.

"People of the Philippines, I have returned!" ~ Gen. Douglas MacArthur

I always enjoy going to museums as it transcends you to another era and allows you to peek at a different kind of  life, immortalized by art.

Peace not War... Love is Victorious!

"The Memorial Cross is a towering structure at the highest point of Mount Samat, 555 m above sea level. The monument is made of steel and reinforced concrete with a lift and viewing gallery at the Cross's arms. A staircase also leads to the gallery in the wings. The height of the Cross is 92 m from the base; the height of the arms is 74 m from the base, with each arm measuring 30 m (15 on each side). The viewing gallery is 5.5 m by 27.4 m, with a 2.1 m clearance.

The base until the 11 m level is capped with sculptural slabs and relief titled Nabiag Na Bato also by Abueva, depicting important historical figures and events like the execution of Jose Rizal, Lapu-Lapu and Antonio Luna." Source: Wikipedia

The Memorial Cross towering at 555 meters above sea level
on the apex of Mount Samat  is visible all over Bataan.

Nabiag Na Bato, a relief sculpture by National Artist Napoleon Abueva

After making the rounds of the colonnade for more pictures, we stopped over at a convenience store that also sold keepsakes and souvenirs. It was a bit past 10 A.M. by then, and the heat was harsher. I had to take a break for a cold drink and buy a cute, black and orange cap with a nice embroidery of the Mt. Samat Shrine.  

Goofing around the Colonnade before climbing the Mt. Samat Memorial Cross

Behind the Colonnade is a footpath that leads to a 14 plight, zigzagged and railed staircase to reach the Mount Samat Memorial Cross. Its uphill flights in a mountainous slope left me breathless as I stepped on paved bloodstones, said to be from the Corregidor Island. The greenish bloodstones with red inclusions that resemble spots of blood are obviously, another symbolism.

Posing for a pause or pausing for a pose?

The small elevator manned by two security guards was crammed with local and two Japanese tourists. One of the guards accompanied the visitors up the Memorial Cross. The ascension was uncomfortable and seemed slow since there was almost no space for movement. When the doors slid  open, a gust of refreshing cool wind blew my hair! We reached the viewing area!

The arms of the cross serve as the viewing areas. Each side have lounging chairs, rectangular viewing windows that visitors are allowed to open and a circular window where one could sit and enjoy the panoramic view of Bataan and take selfies too!

A perspective from a bird's-eye view elevates the mind
to a wide-scale panorama to zoom in focus right on target. Rise above!

After the eye-feasting, it's high time for tummy feeding! Lunch at Ima's Pamangan at the junction of Pilar Road! The exterior of the small, air conditioned restaurant looked inviting with a "Free Wifi" signage. The interior reminded me of Buddy's Restaurant with its wooden tables and benches less the sunflower carvings and decors. The staff members were pleasant and the service was fast! It was yet another eye-feast because the menu on display looked so tempting!

The restaurant caters delicious dishes which are uniquely Filipino such as Bagnet, Sinigang na Ulo ng Salmon, Pakbet, Binagoongan, Tortang Alimango, Ginataang Kuhol, Inihaw na Liempo, et cetera... et cetera.... oops, not to forget the famous, Halo-Halo! Souvenir shirts and other keepsakes are also available. The best deal is that everything is reasonably priced and there are candy giveaways, such as pastillas de leche and bukayo as tokens of appreciation to customers! The restaurant which is also frequented by mountain bikers is definitely recommended by this blogger! Be sure to stop by Ima's Pamangan when in Pilar, Bataan.

Stop for good stuff and nice staff at Ima's Pamangan when in Pilar, Bataan.

Next in our itinerary was the Dunsulan Falls, a quick 15-minute travel from the Pilar Junction. There were no trails to hike. It was a very easy, short walk from the entrance. The entrance fee was P50. There were five young boys enjoying the water falls when we got there. I heard them laughing and screaming aboard an improvised balsa (raft), a perfect picture of how children typically enjoy Philippine Summer. I found myself smiling as the scene brought back memories of summer outings with cousins and siblings years, years ago in different beach settings. According to our guide, there was a zip line that tourists can enjoy but the heat was in full blast since it was then around 2:00 P.M. so we just enjoyed the cool wind under the shades of trees and took pictures!

Blessed are the children!

Dunsulan Falls, Pilar, Bataan

Then, it was time to check in! It was a race to see the sun set in the beaches of Bataan! So, off we went for a fast hunt!  As usual, we did not pre-book our accommodation but had a string of resorts to choose from. Good thing that the resort on the top of our list got all the 3Cs (Clean, Cozy, Cut-Rate and safe) so we settled right away! It was still  the "peak season" when we visited but since the Holy Week was over and it was a workday Wednesday, there were only a few guests in the resort. Thus, we were able to get a beach front room with the best view! The resort's amenities include villa rooms, nipa huts, dining huts, a restaurant, an infinity pool with jacuzzi and 24-hour security guards and life guards.

It was past 4 P.M. when we finally reached our room. We quickly unpacked,  showered and changed to our swim wears and ran to the beach! The hot, fine, silvery-grey sand felt good under my feet and the sky glowed in shades of blue and orange as the sun prepared to set... the sea was calm yet surprisingly cold despite the summer heat in contrast to the pool's tepid water.

Swimming in the sea is only allowed until 7 P.M. for security purposes but visitors may enjoy a bonfire by the beach for a fee. Locals also offer to set up a bonfire for a lower cost. A young boy of about 12, offered to light one up for us for only P100, which we declined. Instead, we gave him his rate so he could go home early to his family because he said he would buy dinner for them. The pool, on the other hand is open to guests until 10 P.M.

We ordered an early dinner at the resort's restaurant and had it served by the beach to witness Bataan's sunset. Then, we downed a few of my all-time fave, San Miguel Pale Pilsen with its perfect match, crispy pata (crisp, deep fried pork leg). The night lamps all over the place looked fab but nothing can compete with the loveliness of the moon! What else can I say? Well, life is indeed a beach!

Life is a beach and it's beeaaachin' good! 

We woke up early, excited to experience Bataan's Sunrise! It was still dark when we stepped out of the villa... the cold, damp air smelled fresh and tasted deliciously salty to me. We took photos when the sky started to clear up with beautiful cloud formations to welcome the rising sun. We walked along the shore line and enjoyed its lonesome serenity, save from another early riser, jogging on. Then, we took a refreshing plunge to take advantage of the newly cleaned swimming pool, all to ourselves.

We ordered a hearty breakfast of beef tapa, daing na bangus, fried rice, eggs and fresh fruits. Too bad there was no strong, brewed coffee available on the menu which I badly needed so, I drank 3 consecutive cups of the 3-in-1 instant coffee to compensate.

Then it was time to visit the Pawikan Conservation Center in Nagbalayong, Morong, Bataan.

The Pawikan Conservation Center's viewing fee is only P20 

Nearly all species of sea turtles in most parts of the world, are classified as endangered. These ancient marine creatures that outlived dinosaurs, symbolize wisdom and long life yet now the same are threatened and in peril of extinction. Sea turtles are hunted and slaughtered for their meat, skin, shells and eggs. They also face habitat destruction due to irresponsible fishing and poaching. Another factor that endangers them, is their reaction to climate change because it alters the sand temperature that affects the sex of hatchlings and also water pollution. It seems most challenges faced by these old, gentle, toothless mariners are man-made.

Hatchlings!

The sea coasts of the Morong and Bagac towns in Bataan are blessed to be the nesting grounds for 3 out of 5 sea turtles species in the country, namely the Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and the Green Turtle. It takes several decades for an adult sea turtle to reach sexual maturity to reproduce. The mature female turtles return to the beach where they are hatched to lay their own eggs. They leave their feeding grounds and travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to faithfully go back to the very same nesting ground each breeding season! Therefore, off springs of this matriarchal line as old as time, have all the right to a safe and peaceful co-habitation with the citizens of the land! Philippines is also their home and birthland! Thank God for the initiative of good people who put up the Pawikan Conservation Center in Morong, Bataan to protect, conserve and rehabilitate the dwindling population of the Pawikang Pilipino.

Brown-Shelled Turtle, Kayumangging Pinoy Pawikan :)

The rest of the day was spent buying souvenirs then we headed back to Pamarta Bali Resort to enjoy the beach and take a good rest to prepare for the home bound trip in the morning.

Souvenirs!

While preparing the itinerary for our Bataan trip, I realized that I have actually visited the province in the past. In the summer of 2013, a high school class mate invited me and other batch mates to stay at Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club, a very beautiful place I immensely enjoyed with the company of good, old friends! I thought then that we were in Subic, Olongapo but found out recently that the site is in fact part of Morong, Bataan.

Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club, Morong, Bataan

There are plenty of other places to visit and activities to experience in Bataan like the bird watching in three known birding sites, the Sibacan-Lote Bird Site, Pto, Rivas Ibaba Bird Site and the Tortugas Bird Site. The terrain, weather, scenic view and the good road of the province make it a very popular destination to mountain bikers and hikers. Mountain climbing the Pantingan Peak in southeastern borders of Bagac, Mt. Limay in Limay, Mt. Bataan, Tarak Peak and Mt. Mariveles would be a good challenge to adventure seekers and nature lovers as well as trekking the Pasukulan Falls in Abucay and the Pilis Falls in Samal. I have only visited one waterfall site which is the Dunsulan Falls but Bataan is much endowed with so many beautiful water falls such as the Kairukan Falls, Limutan Falls, Tukal Falls, Marukduk Falls and Ambon-ambon falls. There are also resorts with natural spring water swimming pools coming from the Sibul Spring in Abucay, like those in Laguna. For the religious, there are many old churches to visit. Also a "must-see" is the latest addition to the Philippine's architectural and heritage pride, the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, a 400 acres, open-air museum and heritage park in Bagac, Bataan!

I vow to go back to the land of the brave just as Gen. Douglas MacArthur promised more than 70 years ago...

"Bataan... I, too shall return."