A castle on the hill
Finding a place for a light travel ends up being a challenge every
day and the idea of being in love with the cities and nature I’ve never been to
and people I’ve never met fill my appetite of excitement.
I hardly collect all of my senses when we are about to climb
the mountain and I could only imagine my reaction when we finally touch the
breezy wind, historical wall and walkways, and the rustic woods of Mount Samat, my soul was emotionally
taken by the view –it was perfectly pleasing to the eyes, every corners are
worth instgrammable.
"With
the hearts bloody but bowed. It was the force of unconquerable faith -something
in the heart and soul that physical hardships and adversity could not destroy.
Bataan has fallen. So do we"
Date back 1941 when
the fire of World War II reached the region where some of the biggest battles
were staged in the Philippines including the historic Battle of Bataan, Mount Samat became the bombing ground and part of
the bloody battlefield where the country’s last stand against Japanese Imperial
Forces took place.
And on April 09, 1942,
known in the history as the Fall of Bataan, Filipino and American soldiers
surrendered their flags in the hands of the Japanese invaders that leads them
to the well-known, Bataan Death March.
Years passed by, after the World War II, the 73, 665 hectares (182, 030 acres) historic
mountain of Pilar, Bataan regains its
glory, and a shrine now dubbed as Dambana
ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valor was built at the highest point, 555 meters
above sea level, in commemoration to all fallen heroes who fought during the
World War II.
Here
I stand, overlooking the Mount Samat Memorial Cross
Tree
patterns as wallpaper
The story of the Battle of Bataan has really dominated the
role of the Philippines in World War II history. “Bataan has fallen, but the
spirit of that made it stand – a beacon to all liberty-loving peoples of the
world –cannot fall”.
According
to Wikipedia, the shrine consist of a Colonnade and the large Memorial Cross, the park
was commissioned in 1966 by former President Ferdinand
Marcos, for the 25th Anniversary of World War II. 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.
The
Shrine of Valor | Mount Samat Shrine, Pilar Bataan
From the
colonnade and the cross, there is a panoramic view of Bataan, Corregidor
Island and on a clear
day, the city of Manila situated about 50 km (31 mi)
across Manila Bay.
The Colonnade
From the parking lot, a wide three series of steps
that narrows to the top lead visitors to the flagpole that holds the flag of the Philippines. 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.
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”.
The
Colonnade is composed of four large bronze chandeliers hang from the ceiling
(unluckily I got no snap of the 4th piece hahaha)
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier la la la la
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.
A footpath
that leads to the base of the Memorial Cross begins behind the Colonnade. The 14-flight, zig-zagging path on the
mountain slope is paved with bloodstones from Corregidor
Island. An alternate road also takes visitors to the base of the
Memorial Cross.
"In
every walk with nature, one receives more than he seeks"
- John Muir
- John Muir
Life
on the hill
Overlooking
the Colonnade and the whole Bataan Peninsula
The
Memorial Cross
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.
📍 You can also visit their Facebook
page at http://www.facebook.com/adventurerstravel or just click on the tagged profile
above, for more updates on fees and tours.
May the Lord of hope fill you with all joy and
peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of
the Holy Spirit
- Romans 15:13
The exterior of the Cross is finished with chipped granolithic marble.
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.
How to get there:
Mt.
Samat National Shrine
The Shrine complex is part of Barangay Diwa in Pilár,
Bataan. From Manila,
the complex can be reached via the North Luzon Expressway (Balintawak Cloverleaf) and the SCTEX
exit in Mabalacat, Pampanga which leads to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway. Follow the
signs to Subic, and exit at Dinalupihan then turn right at the Roman Highway.
Upon reaching the Mt. Samat junction after about 24 km, turn right. After
about 4.5 km towards Mt. Samat, to the left is a 6.5 km uphill road
to the Shrine.
For a non-hassle booking, safe trip and affordable deals check
out the Adventurer's
Travel Treats by Ms. Laarni Mauricio
Piamonte (100%
guaranteed, they are beyond accommodating, may pa-yumburger pa!)
Itinerary:
5:40am – Meet up at SM North Edsa
6:00am – ETD to Bataan
6:30am – Breakfast at Marilao (in your own expense)
9:00am – ETA Mount Samat
11:30am – End of Mount Samat Tour
12:00pm – Lunch at Ima Pamangan (Price Ranges from Php.80:00-Php.100.00/Ala Carte Meal and Php.200.00 for the buffet service.) (The foods are great!)
1:00pm onwards – Heritage Tour (Next on the line)
7:00pm – ETD to Manila
9:30pm – Drop off SM North
5:40am – Meet up at SM North Edsa
6:00am – ETD to Bataan
6:30am – Breakfast at Marilao (in your own expense)
9:00am – ETA Mount Samat
11:30am – End of Mount Samat Tour
12:00pm – Lunch at Ima Pamangan (Price Ranges from Php.80:00-Php.100.00/Ala Carte Meal and Php.200.00 for the buffet service.) (The foods are great!)
1:00pm onwards – Heritage Tour (Next on the line)
7:00pm – ETD to Manila
9:30pm – Drop off SM North
📍 You can also visit their Facebook
page at http://www.facebook.com/adventurerstravel or just click on the tagged profile
above, for more updates on fees and tours.
The
view is so stunning that I was became speechless for five minutes and so.
Always
in awe with nature
When
you think you're owning the mountain, in the end you realize, the mountain owns
you. @1portuguese1000destinations
I'm
on the top of this beautiful creation, Mount Samat
The
flavor of the month
I
went somewhere beautiful today...
...somewhere
between nature and history.
Reference:
When you think you’re owning the mountain, in the end you
realize the mountain owns you
-@1portuguese1000destinatio
#cjourney
IG:
instagram.com/cleiffordjourney
For
inquiries: +639773341716
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