BATAAN PROVINCE
One of the quiet province in the country. Most of the urban central towns are close to quasi-separated by water because of Natib mountains (Mount Natib) the center of Bataan.
BATAAN, “The Triumph of the Spirit,” a province reminding us of the not-so-distant past in history – old canons, Death March markers, monuments, and shrines like the Shrine of Valor in Mt. Samat are conspicuous in its environs.
Little History
The mention of Bataan rings a memorable chord in the heart of every Filipino. It is today a symbol of democracy and freedom, having been the last fortress of Filipino and American soldiers against invading Japanese forces until it fell captive on April 9, 1942. Bataan was established in 1754 by Governor General Pedro Manuel Arandia. Before this, the region was divided into two parts: the Corregimiento of Mariveles, and the Province of Pampanga. The towns of Mariveles, Bagac, Morong, and Maragondon, Cavite comprised the Corregimiento of Mariveles which was under the jurisdiction of the Recollect Order of the Roman Catholic Church. The province of Pampanga included the towns of Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Abucay, Samal, Orano, Llana Hermosa and San Juan de Dinalupihan. The latter group was under the charge of the Dominican Order. The Dominican founded Abucay on June 10, 1588; Samal on April 20, 1641; Orion on April 30,1667; Orani and Balanga on April 21,1714; Llana Hermosa on May 8,1756 and Pilar in March 10, 1801. The three towns on the western side of the province, namely: Mariveles, Bagac, and Morong were founded by the Franciscans in about 1576. Bataan has had more than its share of significant historical events. In 1647, the Dutch Naval Forces perpetrated the Abucay massacre; the dreaded Chinese pirate, Limahong, ised Lusong Point on the western side of Bataan as a landing place; the infamous Bataan Death March to Capas, Tarlac commenced in the municipalities of Mariveles and Bagac. Today, a touching commemorating shrine marks the spot called Camaya Point, poignantly depicted by a bayoner, thrust to the ground with a helmer symbolically slung over the rifle butt. An imposing “Dambana ng Kagitingan” memorial cross on the top of Mount Samat in Pilar, Bataan is dedicated to the memory of all those who fought in the last battle to resist Japanese Occupation.
I was invited to attend 11th NKTI Lenten Pilgrimage last April 16, 2011 by my co-staff, I accepted it since travelling is one of my passion and especially to be renewed in prayer, Christian growth, penitence, and simplicity.
taking a bus ride from Manila to Bataan is about 2 - 2 1/2 hours trip
Destination #1
St. Peter de Verona Church
in Hermosa, 2nd class municipality of Bataan
"Hermosa" means "beautiful" in Spanish, like the Portuguese formosa.
A group of Spaniards first came to this place, surprised and amazed they exclaimed, "Que Hermosa! Que Hermosa!, when they saw some pretty maidens with long, black hair washing clothes and bathing in the brook. The boys who accompanied their sisters repeated what they heard from the Spaniards and upon returning home they repeated again and again what the Spaniards exclaimed. When the next group of Spaniards visited the place, they asked for its name. The folks didn't understand Spanish but answered "Hermosa, Hermosa". And that was how Hermosa got its name. Another version was that "Llana Hermosa", meaning beautiful plain of white flowers was the original name of this town. When the province was created, the town was formally named Hermosa, a name that fits the place not only due to the plain's white flowers but more so to the beautiful maidens and places that abound the town.
Historically, the town was established in 1756 by the Dominican priests. At that time, it was known as Llana Hermosa and composed of Mabuco and Mabuyan. It became an independent missionary center in 1756 with St. Peter de Verona as its patron saint. The town of Hermosa was very peaceful and progressive before World War II. When the war broke out, their quiet routine was disturbed. In the famous "Death March", civilians of Hermosa risked the ire of the Japanese by secretly passing food to Filipino and American soldiers.
also known as Peter Martyr
According to legend, The assassin struck him with an axe on the head with such violence, that the holy man fell half dead. Rising to his knees he recited the first article of the Symbol of the Apostles, and offering his blood as a sacrifice to God he dipped his fingers in it and wrote on the ground the words: "Credo in Deum". The murderer then pierced his heart.
Destination #2
OUR LADY OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY
in Orani, 1st class municipality of Bataan
in Orani, 1st class municipality of Bataan
One day, a Spaniard, while walking and surveying a thick forest, passed by a native who was cutting a big tree. The Spaniard asked the native about the name of the tree and the reply was "narra". The Spaniard mistook the reply as "no ira" which meant "unselfish". The Spaniard then rearranged the letters from these words till it finally came out as "Orani", which thenceforth became the official name of the town.
The town and the church of Orani became an independent missionary center in 1714. The Dominican friars built the church and became their quarters in Bataan since then. The place grew into a little prosperous town until it was nearly brought down the ground during the earthquake of September 16, 1852. Important studies shows that the church and the municipal government building were also destroyed. They were rebuilt till 1891 when Orani again resumed its slow march for growth. This growth was checked again by the great fire of March 16, 1938, which almost burned three-fourths of the whole town, including schools, the church and the town hall. Reconstruction began, but before they could finish, World War II broke out and once again the town suffered tremendous destruction. After the war, the people of Orani are once again building their town.
This was the title given to our Blessed Virgin Mary by the townpeople of Samal who were witnessed to her miracles and led to the establishment of the town and parish of Orani.
Destination #3
ST. DOMINIC DE GUZMAN
Abucay, Bataan
The name Abucay was coined from "abu-kinaykay" which means digging the debris of fire. According to legend, a Spaniard came to this town and was asking for its name. It so happened that his arrival coincided with the just extinguished big fire that burned and destroyed quite a number of houses in the place and so the people were busy digging the remains from the ashes. Digging or shoveling, "kinaykay" in local dialect. So when this Spaniard asked for the name of the place, the residents quickly replied, "abu-kinaykay", thinking that this Spaniard was asking what they were doing. From then on this town was called that way and later on to Abucay.
Abucay, Bataan
The name Abucay was coined from "abu-kinaykay" which means digging the debris of fire. According to legend, a Spaniard came to this town and was asking for its name. It so happened that his arrival coincided with the just extinguished big fire that burned and destroyed quite a number of houses in the place and so the people were busy digging the remains from the ashes. Digging or shoveling, "kinaykay" in local dialect. So when this Spaniard asked for the name of the place, the residents quickly replied, "abu-kinaykay", thinking that this Spaniard was asking what they were doing. From then on this town was called that way and later on to Abucay.
One of the historical markers in World War II. Right beside the Spanish structured church is the public cemetery. St. Dominic as the founder of the Order of Preachers.
Destination #4
Mount Samat
in Brgy. Diwa, Pilar Bataan
in Brgy. Diwa, Pilar Bataan
Located on the summit of the mountain is Dambana ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valour, a memorial shrine complex built to honor and remember the gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II.
Consisting of a colonnade and the huge Memorial Cross, the sentinel of Bataan, the park was commissioned in 1966 by then President Ferdinand Marcos, a War Veteran himself, for the 25th Anniversary of the Second World War. The white Memorial Cross stands as a remembrance to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Bataan. From the colonnade and the cross, one can view Bataan, Corregidor Island and on a clear day, the city of Manila. 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 American, Filipino and Japanese forces in the heat of the battle.
Little History
Along with the fortified island of Corregidor, Mount Samat was the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Armyin 1942 during the Battle of Bataan. Suffering heavy losses against the Japanese all over Luzon, Filipino and American soldiers retreated to Bataan Peninsula to regroup for a last valiant but futile stand. This retreat to Bataan is part of a United States strategy known as War Plan Orange.
After the fierce battle lasting three days, 78,000 exhausted, sick and starving men under Major General Edward P. King surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, the Fall of Bataan. It was, and still is, the single largest surrender of U.S. soldiers ever. Together with the Philippine soldiers, they were then led on the Bataan Death March.
The scene of their last stronghold is Mount Samat, the site of the Dambana ng Kagitingan. The shrine was conceived as a fitting memorial to the heroic struggle and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought and died in that historic bastion of freedom.
The Memorial Cross is a towering structure located at the highest point of Mount Samat, 555 metres (1,821 ft) above sea level.
trail...
were ready, to GO!
trail starts here...
sceneries up here
breath taking scenes...
(entrance)
The monument is made of steel and reinforced concrete with an elevator and viewing gallery at the arm of the cross. A staircase also take the guests to the gallery on the wings. The height of the cross is 92 metres (302 ft) from the base. The height of the arms is 74 metres (243 ft) from the base. The length of the arm is 30 metres (98 ft) (15 on each side). The viewing gallery is 18 feet (5.5 m) by 90 feet (27 m) with a 7 feet (2.1 m) clearance.
The exterior of the cross is finished with chipped granolithic marble. The base up to 11 metres (36 ft) level is capped with sculptural slabs and reliefs titled “Nabiag Na Bato” also by Napoleon Abueva depicting important historical figures and events like the execution of Jose Rizal, Lapu-Lapu and Antonio Luna.
Bataan province, History of Faith and Governance
Sources: http://www.bataan.gov.ph
wikipedia.com
wikipedia.com
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