Bataan: Balanga and Pilar

Pilar, Bataan

My solo trip to Bataan happened last july 2014. It was started with my misunderstanding about philippine geography that the Corregidor Island is a part of Bataan, it was too late for me to find out that Corregidor is a part of Cavite province not Bataan. lesson learned: Do not believe everything you have learned from the internet. I had no choice but to go to Bataan to complete my goal to tour each provinces in the philippines.

I went to Cubao by 10 in the morning and arrived in bataan at 2pm via Bataan Transit Bus, terminal is located in Cubao I paid about 200 pesos for 3 hour bus ride going to Balanga, the capital city of bataan. I was inside the bus when I noticed death march sign situated in many parts of Bataan. I assumed, that was the route of the famous Death March. I do not know much about history but I am really sure that Death March which happened last World War 2 killed hundreds or thousands of Filipinos and Americans who were forced to walk hundreds of kilometer and died due to dehydration and hunger.

I had a quick lunch when I arrived in Balanga in a near carinderia, I ordered ampalaya and rice, it was a cheap and healthy lunch just to prepare myself for the daytour. I could see the big cross on top of mt.samat from the bus terminal where I dropped off and it was very amazing. The weather was unpredictable it was raining outside when I was still on the bus but upon arriving in the city the weather became sunny. I hopped in a jeepney going to Mt.Samat in Pilar, Bataan it took me half an hour to arrive in a place where there were tricycle waiting that will bring me to the peak of Mt. Samat, the road going to Mt.Samat that time was obviously affected by the typhoon Glenda, trees were fallen and electricity was disconnected, it was really hard to find network signal, despite the catastrophe happened in most Luzon provinces tourist continued to visit this famous attraction.


Central Terminal Bus Station in Balanga bound to different places like Cabanatuan, San Fernando and Manila

 

road going to the top of Mt. Samat

welcome arch of Shrine of Valor

road to Mt. Samat

leaves and branches of trees scatered on the ground

We arrived in Mt. Samat and saw the magical dragon on top of the Mountain, I paid 50 pesos for the inconvenience entrance fee. I bought some souvenirs in the near shop so I wouldnt mind it later. you can see the whole Balanga and some parts of Bataan from above, I could even see my apartment in Manila from the top, Ohhh! I forgot to turn off my TV before I left the house. well, thats how high it was.  There were canyons scattered around the park that were used in world war, there is a museum dedicated for the heroes who fought for the country the architecture of the place is great, the best of it can be reached by some hundred steps going up where the massive cross was placed to honor the soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the freedom of this country. I stayed on top for half an hour, I was alone but there were few tourists from small to a large group of people from different places.

 

Entrance to Shrine of Valor

you really need more energy drink if you want to go to this place




 

the massive cross on top of Mt. Samat

 

I was supposed to go on top of the cross thru elevator on the cross itself but there was no electricy that time due to recent typhoon Glenda. I was about to call the president of the Philippines to request for the immediate connection of the electricity but I stopped myself , maybe it is because I needed a reason to go back.

 

The problem of travelling alone? No one is always there to take a picture for you.  Get something from you and take a picture of it as a souvenir.

The Battle of Bataan

I went to Bataan with the camera I just borrowed from my sister an underwater camera dedicated to work under pressure and under water because I was supposed to visit a nearby falls in Pilar but my sister forgot to charge it and I did not even checked it before I go, to summarize I only took few photos and the battery drained out. I tried to save it by looking for a socket to charge it and I almost forgot that most of the city on Bataan did not have electricity that time because of that Glenda typhoon. I blame Glenda for all the misfortune that happaned to me. I did not have a choice, I did not want to go home empty handed. I needed to do something.

I noticed an egyptian tourist taking pictures alone, I always feel proud when I see a tourist visiting our country thats why I could not stop myself to have a conversation with this egyptian who I later became my friend and personal photographer. how? by using his cellphone and sending those to my email. what a genius? I took a picture of him using his cellphone and he will take a picture of me as well, nice idea! problem solved.

signature pose

signature pose but the stick behind me trying to mimic my pose.

 

the massive cross of Shrine of Valor

I was born to be a great actor but not a model you can count on your finger how many pose I can do.


St. Joseph Cathedral

Robinson Balanga

after taking pictures and appreciating the view in Mt. Samat. We went to the city proper of Balanga with my new Egyptian friend named Mohammed. We went to Robinson Balanga, it has totally different structure than the rest of Robinsons in the Philippines, it looks like an old school or a big mansion with romanesque style of architecture sounds funny but thats real! a large building converted into a shopping mall.

I enjoyed the scenery of the locals getting around the plaza where the Provincial Capitol and St. Joseph Cathedral are situated. I had a quick lunch in Mang Inasal, I ate alone because my egyptian friend could not eat with me that specific time due to religious norm that they participate evey year. after that my Mohammed brought me to the terminal where the bus going to manila is located. I left bataan about 4 in the afternoon with great memories and appreciating our heroes who died for our freedom.


My Egyptian friend Mohammed

a simple afternoon in the plaza

Magic Everywhere my four aces routine




One final touch of the fresh air from a landscape before I leave Bataan.
 

How to get there:
Ride a bus bound to Balanga or Mariveles, terminals are located in Cubao, Quezon City.
travel time is about 2-3 hours fare is around 200.

Once in your life its nice to visit a place or shrine that is dedicated to our heroes. Bataan is a province of pride and courage they have very brave history and very great story to tell. Visit Bataan and remind yourself that once in your life somebody died for your freedom.


Thank you for reading ;)