Bataan makes us remember the brave

It is late afternoon at the 1,500 peak of Mt. Samat, in

the town of Pilar, Bataan. Above us, 14 flights of

zigzagging footpaths lead to the Memorial Cross,

555 meters above sea level, which motorists use as

a landmark on their way to Subic.

Many times, driving out there, I would wonder how large

that structure must be to be seen so clearly from across

another mountain. That afternoon, I found out: the cross

towers 92 meters high from the base; its arm stretches

out across 30 meters of space, 74 meters from the

ground.

But that cross and its

significance could wait.

That moment at the foot

of this Memorial Cross

was an invitation to pause

for a long while.

Travelers who have a

sentimental spot for views

will love it here. When the

clouds are hospitable,

you can see up to Manila

Bay, with the buildings

defining the landscape of

the metropolitan city. To

the right, you can identify

the ports of Bataan, and

can even follow the path of an approaching ferry boat that

offers another transportation route from Manila to Orion

town. Farther, the silos of refineries and structures of

resorts offer another picture of this progressive province.

But the panorama that will make you remember this

afternoon will not require you to guess the landmarks on

the horizon. It will be the view of the mountainside, the

cliffs, the thick forests, the hills - serenely green, casting

shadows that hinted rain but really looking like it was

preparing for nightfall. Even a bus-load of tourists clicking

their cameras everywhere will not disturb the peaceful

moment.

Of course, what

enhances the moment is

that you are standing on

the grounds of the Shrine

of Valor, a historical

memorial built to remind

us "to take pride in the

courage of our race."

A colonnade made of

marble with a museum at

the basement was built

to remind everyone what

this place stands for. On

its wall is declared the

story of this site; "On this

ground, gallant men

chose to die rather than

surrender. From all corners of the Philippines they came,

youthful and brave, to make their last stand in Bataan

against an implacable enemy which had marched

through Asia. What transpired was a ferocious combat

between raw, ill-equipped recruits and seasoned

well-armed troops. On these tablets is restored the epic,

the truly unifying experience that was Bataan. Let all who

read this take pride in the courage of our race."

The shrine, also known as the "Dambana ng Kagitingan"

was completed and inaugurated in 1970. On April 9 of

every year, a helicopter showers flowers on this site to

commemorate the "Fall of Bataan."

Everyday, a few tourists, mostly

foreigners who fought during the war or

their children, take time to visit this site

which is 140 kilometers from the Luneta

and about two hours drive on a week day

without traffic.

The new museum curator, Rizalde

Maurad, noted that half of the foreign

tourists are Japanese. Late last month, a

group of 40 Japanese student volunteers

were expected to clean the shrine

grounds.

It is easier for tourists to enjoy the

majestic view from the top of the

Memorial Cross. Since April of this year,

an elevator at specific hours daily take you 36 floors up

to the viewing gallery inside the arms of the cross.

When that elevator was not yet there,

visitors needed a strong heart to climb

450 steps of a spiral staircase.

If you don't have the stomach for heights,

you can enjoy the refreshing air from the

base of the cross, and inspect the

sculptural slabs depicting significant

battles and historical events, or walk to

the souvenir shop nearby. Or you can

listen to the stories of the workers who

claim that the spirits of the brave soldiers

still roam the place.

On your way down, keep an eye for the

Final Battle of Bataan marker at the foot

of Mt. Samat. The marker now stands like it is part of the

wall of a private house which occupies the lot along the

main highway. The final battle took place on that spot on

Good Friday, April 3, 1942. Gen. Edward P. King

surrendered the Filipino fighting men and women to the

Japanese Imperial Army on April 9, 1942.

In history books, the date became known as the Fall of

Bataan. More recently, it was renamed, "Araw ng

Kagitingan" (Day of the Heroes), a more meaningful

name for the historical date which marked the end of four

harrowing months of defending the country against a

well-equipped and better-trained enemy.

What followed after the fall is a chapter in our history

books - the Death March.

The battles gallantly fought, but lost, are remembered,

are marked, around Bataan.

This province has inherited the unusual mission of

making our people remember this part of our history. It is

a mission that the people of Bataan take proudly. At the

entrance of the province in Dinalupihan, a large

monument captures the spirit of the First Line of Defense

where the combined USAFFE troops put up a strong

defense against Japanese invasion during World War II.

to be continued...