" It's been 4-years since the last time I climbed to Mt. Samat, I was then amazed with its historical significance, natural charm, and breathtaking views. I wonder about what the place looks like nowadays, and there are questions running in my mind, "Is the place I have been before is still the same?", and "Is there something new to look out for and to explore?". With so much courage and enthusiasm, I decided to take a climb once more to a place that brought happiness to me once in a while on my past. The other purpose of getting back to Mt. Samat is to show also with you guys(the reader), how wondrous and historic the place is".
Mt. Samat is a historic mountain located in Pilar, Bataan. It is the smallest among the three mountains of Bataan, the other two are the Mt. Natib and Mt. Mariveles. It was the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army. It also sets the scene when the American and Filipino Soldiers took their last stand against the Japanese during The Battle of Bataan in 1942. Through the heroic struggles and sacrifices of the American and Filipino soldiers, a Memorial Shrine was built on the mountain's summit to commemorates "patriotism" and "valor" of those soldiers who fought and died on that historic bastion of freedom.
WHAT TO SEE :
The Mount Samat Memorial Shrine
It was raised as a fitting memorial to the heroic struggle and sacrifices of soldiers who fought and died against the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II in 1942. It has a Colonnade, The War Museum, and the Towering White Cross. You should pay an entrance fee of P20 for adults, P10 for students and Senior Citizens and P30 for foreigners. The Shrine operates from 8 o'clock in the morning until 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
An Old School Canyon which is being used during the World War 2
The Colonnade
It is a three series of steps from the parking area, the last step to the Colonnade level are bordered in two sides by two pedestals topped with bronze urns symbolizing eternal flame. The Colonnade is a marble-clad structure which is surrounded by an esplanade. There is an altar on the center of it, behind the altar are three religious stained-glass murals arranged by Cenon Rivera. There are also four large bronze chandeliers hanging on the ceiling. A narrative of "The Battle of Bataan" was posted on the two lateral walls.
The Zig-Zag Path
A 14-flight zig-zagging way leads you to the Memorial Cross. The stones that are concreted on the stairs are from from the Corregidor Island. Traversing the steps on the stairway might be a difficult task, but the fresh air, the sights of tall trees and the view behind the Colonnade can lessen the hardship in traversing the steps.
The Memorial Cross
The 302-foot memorial cross was constructed during the Marcos administration in celebration of the 25th anniversary of "The Battle of Bataan". It was built to honor heroism and valor of heroes who fought and died for the freedom of our race. Paying P10 allows you to ride an elevator that will take you to the viewing gallery. The viewing gallery measures 30 meters ,15 meters in both arms of the cross. Inside the gallery are seats where you can sit back and relax while enjoying the cool-breeze of fresh air. From there, a 360 degree panoramic view of Bataan Province and Manila Bay greets you(on a clear day). The sides of the cross' arms has round glass window from which you can sit while taking a glimpse of the view below. The guard will remind you if your stay is over. You are only allowed at the viewing gallery for 10-15 minutes.
TheViewing Gallery
Panoramic View from the Viewing Gallery
Nabiag na Bato
At the foot of the cross are the sculptures by Napoleon Abueva, illustrating some of the historical figures and events on our history such as Apolinario Mabini, Juan Luna, Andres Bonifacio, the execution of Rizal, the Battle of Mactan and Filipino and American soldiers defending against the Japanese Army during the World War II.
Dunsulan Falls
It is a waterfalls located at the foot of Mt. Samat. It is situated in Liyang, Pilar, Bataan. The falls and the river is the main drainage on the crater side of the mountain. It is a 30-minute tricycle ride from top of the mountain. I was a little bit disapointed with what I saw about the falls, I think it was being neglected. Getting inside the falls' premises has an entrance fee of P50 per person. I just hope that the collected fees will be used in rehabilitation of the falls to bring back its former grandeur.
The Journey to Mount Samat
At around seven in the morning we rode a bus bounds to Balanga(from Sm City Pampanga Bus Terminal) after an hour we get-off to Alauli intersection in Pilar, Bataan. From there we hired a tricycle that will take us to Mt. Samat National Shrine they contracted us for a round trip costing P250 per person (3pax per tricycle) to Mt. Samat Nat'l Shrine to Dunsulan Falls and will take us back to Alauli intersection. My first time at Mt. Samat was more adventurous because we just hiked from the jump-off point in Brgy. Diwa to the top. While going up, I felt the cool-breeze of fresh air which is different from the air below, and I appreciates the tall trees surrounding the hills of the mountain.
The Mt. Samat Road is the easiest route in getting to the Shrine
The Trees of Mt. Samat
After 45-minutes of climbing aboard a tricycle we reached the top. Upon arrival, I was amazed and feels like it was my first time there. The natural charm and the historical significance is very much alive. We relished the moment of being there, captured photos on every scenic views and took a pose for a photograph behind the picturesque offerings of the place. We were not fortunate to have a good view below from the viewing gallery because of the foggy atmosphere, but still, we enjoyed the cool-breeze of fresh air that blows above. I have noticed the replacement of a glass window into a galvanized steel window at the viewing gallery which is not symmetrical to the window, I forgot to ask anybody behind that change.
While having rest and taking some snacks, I had a little interview with the vendor of souvenirs and snacks shop on the side of the cross, I asked her when is the time that the shrine was most visited and she answered that a lot of tourists comes during weekends and holidays and the peak season is during summer, she also told me that there is an annual event which they call "Pilgrimage Visit", it is a religious activity for Catholics where thousands of devotees from all over Bataan and nearby provinces walk from the jump-off point to the top to attend and hear mass which is being celebrated by the Archbishop of Balanga.
The event is happening during last week of November or first week of December. After one and a half hour of staying at the shrine we decided to head to Dunsulan Falls. At exactly 12noon we arrived at the falls. We are planning to take a dip into the falls but there are signs reminding "Bawal maligo sa loob ng falls delikado", and maybe even without warning, we do not attempt to take a dip due to excretion of water on the falls' basin. We would like to leave after what we saw, but suddenly the heavy rain pours down. We were trapped there for almost an hour. On the other side I thanked the rain, as being trapped it extends my time to fully appreciates nature, the tall trees, rock formations and continuous flowing of water on the falls.
Upon looking at the falls I thought of something on how to protect and conserve our natural resources. A simple act of discipline may be a big help in preserving the gift of mother nature, throw our garbage on proper disposal, not like what I saw on our way to Dunsulan Falls I was saddened when I saw garbage scattered around the hills of the mountain, I hope the authority will lead in removal of those waste. As rain stopped pouring we hurriedly leave. Due to the steep road the tricycle was unable to carry us, that's why without any other choice we walked through the steep road which resulted us with an aching feet, on the other hand it made our journey more adventurous. And our journey to Mt. Samat ended at Dunsulan Falls.
(from top to bottom: Nabiag na Bato, way to the Zig-zag Path, Dunsulan Falls, Round Glass Window at the Viewing Gallery, Mt. Samat National Shrine and my Colleagues in this Journey)
"Being at Mt. Samat will refresh us on the brave act of soldiers who fought and died for our freedom and also give us time to get along with Mother Nature. May this blog post entices everyone of you to take a visit to a Mountain which is a reminiscent of Brave and Historic Yesterday on our History"
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