Bataan is one of those places history geeks go nuts over. It became the last hold-out for the American forces during the Japanese invasion, a jump-off point for a Corregidor tour, and is the location of the infamous Death March—enough reasons for those interested in knowing more about World War II to visit. During our three-day tour of the province for the Pawikan Festival, we were able to touch base with a few of these.

BATAAN WORLD WAR II HISTORICAL TOUR WHAT’S INSIDE? • BATAAN WORLD WAR II MUSEUM & SURRENDER SITE MONUMENT • ZERO KILOMETER DEATH MARCH MARKER • FILIPINO-JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP TOWER • DAMBANA NG KAGITINGAN

 BATAAN WORLD WAR II MUSEUM & SURRENDER SITE MONUMENT
  ADDRESS: BALANGA, BATAAN | OPEN HOURS 9:00AM TO 4:00PM | ENTRANCE FEE PHP50.00 | GPS COORDINATES MAP: 14.681425, 120.545535

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THE ONLY WORLD WAR II MUSEUM IN BATAAN OUTSIDE MOUNT SAMAT SHRINE

Before heading to any historical sites in Bataan, I recommend visiting the Bataan World War II Museum first. Here, one can get an overview of the fateful events that transpired in the province during the Second World War.

AN OLD TOILET ADJACENT THE MUSEUM WHICH HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A TORTURE CHAMBER

Located at the back of the Balanga Elementary School compound, the museum is housed on the ground floor of an old building. It isn’t really that big, but it packs a punch when it comes to information. In fact, we were first asked to sit down for a brief video documenting the war before we were released to roam around on our own.

DETAILED DIORAMA DEPICTING THE BATAAN DEATH MARCH

The museum houses several panels of infographics detailing the progress of war in the Philippines, a few donated artifacts, and a huge diorama made up of 120 dolls depicting scenes from the infamous Bataan Death March.

ONE OF THE AMERICANS SEEMINGLY SHEDDING A TEAR OVER THE SURRENDER

Right outside the museum is the Surrender Site Monument where larger than life statues of four American and three Japanese officers discussing and signing the surrender of the USAFFE (United States Army Forces in the Far East) in the Philippines is located.

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 ZERO KILOMETER DEATH MARCH MARKER
  ADDRESS: AGUINALDO ST., COR. BAGAC-MARIVELES ROAD, BAGAC, BATAAN | GPS COORDINATES MAP: 14.599268, 120.394758

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BAGAC’S STARTING POINT OF THE DEATH MARCH

Bataan’s Zero Kilometer Death March marker in the town of Bagac marks one of the two (the other one is in Mariveles) starting points of the horrendous 97-kilometer walk for Filipino and American prisoners of war during the Second World War. The white marker is simple and unobtrusive. Today’s generation would probably just give it a passing glance without regards to the history behind it.

A RIFLE WITH A BAYONET STICKING ON THE GROUND LOCATED JUST A FEW METERS AWAY FROM THE ZERO KILOMETER DEATH MARCH MARKER

The Death March is one of the darkest chapters of World War II in the Philippines. The event took place after the surrender of the Americans to the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942. An approximate of 60,000 to 80,000 POW’s were forced to walk for 97 kilometers for seven days to San Fernando in the province of Pampanga where they were loaded on a box train for their final destination in Capas, Tarlac (a shrine stands there, the Capas National Shrine, commemorating the casualties of this event). The death toll was estimated to be anywhere from 2,500 to 10,000 soldiers—their deaths coming from the cruel hands of the Japanese, disease due to inhumane conditions, and exhaustion.

 

 

 FILIPINO-JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP TOWER
  ADDRESS: J.J. LINAO NATIONAL ROAD COR. AGUINALDO ST., BAGAC | ENTRANCE FEE: FREE | GPS COORDINATES MAP: 14.605645, 120.397396

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MORNING SUN STRIKING THE PILLARS OF THE TOWER

A graceful memorial tower commemorating the Japanese and Filipino renewal of friendship stands at the junction of Aguinaldo and J. J. Linao National Road in the town of Bagac. The pronged white tower was built in 1975. It was conceived by Risshō Kōsei Kai—a Japanese Buddhist religious movement, Bataan’s governor back then, and the Bataan Christian Youth Civic Circle.

A JAPANESE BELL HANGING OVER THE FIRST TIER

The structure is set on a rotunda and stands at 27 meters (89 feet) tall. It features three levels, each one beset by an open platform made up of circular patterns, the lowest of which hangs a bell embossed with intricate dragons, knobs, and Japanese writings. It seems to be made from bronze or copper. During its inauguration, it was struck twice by Bagac’s mayor, Atilano Ricardo, and Risshō Kōsei Kai’s youth division head, Rev. Niwano, as a symbol of lasting peace between the two nations.

The tower is walking distance—about 200 meters away—from the Bagac’s Death March Kilometer Zero marker.

REPEATING CIRCULAR PATTERNS DEFINE THE TOWER’S DESIGN

 

 

 SHRINE OF VALOR ~ DAMBANA NG KAGITINGAN
  ADDRESS: MOUNT SAMAT, PILAR, BATAAN | ENTRANCE FEE: FREE | GPS COORDINATES MAP: 14.606384, 120.509611

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DAMBANA NG KAGITINGAN DURING LATE AFTERNOONS

A project by former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos for the 25th anniversary of the Second World War, the Dambana ng Kagitingan is arguably the most famous tourist spot in the whole of Bataan Province. Located at the peak of Mount Samat, its iconic cross stands 92 meters (302 feet) high and can be accessed by visitors from its base. There’s also a war museum on the complex where paintings and relics of World War II can be viewed.

This place deserves a separate article, check my full article about it here: Dambana ng Kagitingan

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