MOUNT SAMAT

Location: Pilar, Bataan, Philippines

Jump-off Point: Brgy. Diwa, Pilar
Elevation: 553 MASL or 1,814 feet
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1 hour
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 1/9, Trail class 1, historical trail.
Features: It is the site where the Dambana ng Kagitingan is erected and it can be reached thru a vehicle and there is no need to trek.


Source: Wikipedia

A place where heroism of Filipino people is remembered

Mount Samat is famous for being identified as the Mount Samat National Shrine, because on its summit was erected the Dambana ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valour.  It gained its status as a national shrine on April 14, 1966 and is being operated by the Provincial Government of Bataan.  The area is 73,665 hectares and is open to the public all year round.  The colonnade, museum and the memorial cross were completed in 1970.

The Colonnade of Mount Samat National Shrine

One of the three major parts of the shrine is the Colonnade which means, it is a series of columns set at regular intervals and usually supporting the base of a roof structure. On the other hand, as shown in the picture, a colonnade is a marble-clad structure surrounded by an esplanade, itself surrounded by marble-clad parapets. The two other parts of the shrine are the war museum and the memorial cross.

The Colonnade as viewed halfway to the summit

The Colonnade is just above the massive stairs which connects the parking space for the guests.  Since the road is passable by vehicles, there is no need to trek to this site.  Upon entering the main entrance with military checkpoint, a spacious parking space is available.

There is an entrance fee to the shrine of P50 per person.  It opens daily from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.  You need to keep the two tickets issued upon payment of entrance fee since you have to give one of it to the guard when you visit the museum and the other one prior to entering the elevator of the Memorial Cross.

The bloodstone footpath to the summit

Trekking to the summit from the Colonnade is not a problem as there is a flattened stone pathway to the summit where the giant Memorial Cross is erected. From the Colonnade to the summit is consist of 448-step zigzagging footpath through the bloodstone, which is said to be the rocks from Corregidor, stained by Japanese blood. 

The zigzagging 448-step footpath towards the summit where the Memorial Cross is located

You might wonder why this site is given so much historical significance.  It can be recalled from history that wayback 1942, Mount Samat was the site of one of the bloodiest battles between the Allied forces and the Imperial Japanese Army during the Battle of Bataan.  After three months of bloody battle, the US and Philippine armies surrendered to the Japanese, because the former was defeated and what followed was the tragic death of thousands of men on the Bataan Death March.  It was then President Ferdinand E. Marcos who declared Mount Samat a memorial park.  The shrine complex completion in 1970 marked the 25th anniversary of the end of World War II.

The shrine's Memorial Cross

The summit does not only have the memorial cross but it also has a lush park and souvenir shops.  There is actually an elevator inside the Memorial Cross or also called Mount Samat Cross which will take the guests feast on the breathtaking scenery of Bataan while boarding the elevator, however, by that time we visited it, the elevator was not in operation.  The cross stands at 92 meters with the the cross arms 30-meter wide.  There is an observation deck in the cross arms of the cross where Mount Mariveles (Tarak Ridge), Corregidor Island and Manila Skyline across Manila Bay can be viewed in a clear and cloudless day.

The base of the Memorial Cross

At the base of the cross is an 11-meter high relief depicts important historical scenes and individuals in Filipino culture which was designed by artist Napoleon Abueva.  These images showcases the story of national hero Jose Rizal's death, the first parachute landing by the 511th parachute infantry regiment, and the Battle of Bataan.  National celebration connected to the Dambana ng Kagitingan is the Araw ng Kagitingan which falls on the 9th of April every year - the day the US and Filipino forces surrendered to the Imperial Japanese Army.

The mini park at the base of the Memorial Park

There is a mini park that surrounds the base of the Memorial Cross.  By the way, the war museum is housed at the basement of the Colonnade.  Unfortunately, I was not able to visit it since I was not aware that there is such in the place. As I was told, the museum houses a collection of historical artifacts from the war, including a display of various weapons, a 3D map of the Bataan area and a series of photos illustrating the battle and the soldiers who took part.

HOW TO GO THERE

For DIY travelers, take a bus bound for Balanga of Bataan from Manila via Bataan Transit or Genesis Bus Lines which will approximately 3 hours drive for a fare of more or less P200.  From Balanga City Central Terminal, board a jeepney bound for Cabog-Cabog and go down at the intersection to Mount Samat in Diwa, Pilar, Bataan.