Experience The Preserved Sceneries of Bataan

Dambana ng kagitingan , Mount Samat Shrine at Pilar Bataan

          
             Mount Samat National Shrine (Tagalog pronunciation:) or Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valour) is a historical shrine located near the summit of Mount samat  in the town of Pilár, Province of Bataan, in the Republic of the Philippines. The memorial shrine complex was built to honor and remember the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World war 2.

Consisting of a Colonnade and the large Memorial Cross, the park was commissioned in 1966 by then-President Ferdinand Marcos, himself a War Veteran, for the 25th Anniversary of WW2.The white Memorial Cross stands as a remembrance to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Bataan. The shrine complex also includes a war museum with a wide array of collections from paintings of the Philippine heroes, to armaments used by the Filipino, American and Japanese forces during the battle.

            Dambana ng Kagitingan is yet another place and occurrence in Philippine history I've only read about in books. Now, I got to see it in the flesh! I bet history buffs can sympathize how I feel about this.

From a tourist's point of view, not only does it honor and commemorate the courage in battle of Filipino and American soldiers who dearly fought for us during the World War II, it also serves as a fun way to learn about other significant Filipino History through the works of art of some of our esteemed National Artists.

I guess, from an artist, a history buff or a travelers eyes, this place has a a deeper, spiritual connection. By merely being here where history took place, it gives us bliss. I can't even explain it. The nearest I can think of right now is that it's like a new toy for a kid, only you can't take it home. You just look at it, leave it in its box to not damage its authenticity.  

First How We Get There:  

Step 1. Manila to Balanga, Bataan Route (via Bataan Transit Co. Inc. or Genesis Transport   From Avenida Terminal bus leaves every 1 hour from 2:00 midnight to 9:00 A.M. It just takes 4 hours travel. The fare is only P250/person one way.  for Avenida terminal reservation landline no. (02) 734-9207. and for students like me it is only P160 pesos :)

           Step 2. Arrival at the Balanga Terminal 

From the terminal of Bataan Transit walk to the Bataan Transport Terminal in Balanga. The walk is just less than 5 minutes.

          Step 3. Jeep/Tricycle to Balanga, Bataan. 

At the Bataan Transport Terminal in Balanga, jeepneys and buses line up going to Bagac. Travel Time is 15 minutes to my uncles home. Fare is P20/person one way. Just tell the driver that you will be going to puertorivas ibaba so that he can drop me to the my uncles home where my location to take a rest and to stay while im travelling the bataan

         Step 4.  Going to Mount Samat , Pilar Bataan ..  My        Tito's Allowed us to use his private car to explore the preserved beauty and sceneries of Bataan .. We travel around 1-2 hours and from balanga to Pilar Bataan ..  the road is scary beacause of zigzag way ..
But we did it ..


WELCOME TO MOUNT SAMAT ..

Some information about the Shrine of Valor aka "Dambana ng Kagitingan" as lifted from The official site of Bataan:

- The tower rises 555 meters above sea level

- Height of the cross is 92 meters from base

- The complex lies in an area approximately 73,665 hectares

- completed and inaugurated in 1970

- commissioned by the late President Ferdinand Marcos..

Anyways, that colorful backdrop is actually a stained glass mural designed by National Artist Cenon Rivera. These three panel glass signifies "The Supreme Sacrifice", "The Call to Arms" and "Peace", which were executed by Vetrate D' Guiliani of Rome, Italy.

The colonnade with its marble finish, altar, slightly covered ceiling, blue chandeliers and stained glass mural.

                       The Door of Museum

      We did manage to get inside the museum. Taking photos was prohibited but you can linger as long as you like. You can see there a lot of violent materials such as canons, guns, battle gears, even photos of women, soldiers - Filipino and Americans who died in the honor of saving our land.

                                                  Death March Sculpure

The At the Top of the cross .. We dit it !

Visitors can buy souvenirs and souvenirs from this store. It's okay to bring your own food, just remember to pick-up after yourselves. You managed to get here, please be responsible to leave your trash in trash bins.

                                                With my little cousin

 

              One Group shot at the back of the Cross.


                                       Goofing around :)

On the top view .

If you love to see great views , this is one way to do it , just be sure you're not afraid of heights or anything , when you are the top, Appreciate the shrine and scenery and history all in one..

                         My Photo behind the cross  !

At the top of the cross , there are two rooms separated at the middle where the elevator rises ..  

the rooms are empty except for some army artifacts and a chain of chairs to sit on the glance at the beautiful view through  the window sills..

                                              The View !

         The weather was so favorable that afternoon.

  With my pretty cousin and sister were taking a lots of selfies here  :) 

 This Preserved Scenery Becomes extra ordinary  with help of my family .It was a very memorable climb and journey over the most important historical pieces of the Philippines