BATAAN | Exploring World War II Historical Destinations

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

World War II Diorama Bataan

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


Bataan World War II Museum
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.

Bataan World War II Museum Torture Chamber
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.

Bataan World War II Museum
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.

Bataan World War II Museum Surrender Site Monument
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.

CHECK FOR CHEAP HOTELS IN BATAAN

 

 

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


Zero Kilometer Death March Marker Bagac
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.

Zero Kilometer Death March Marker Bagac
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


Filipino Japanese Friendship Tower Bataan
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.

Filipino Japanese Friendship Tower Bataan
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


Dambana ng Kagitingan, Bataan
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



• BOOK A DISCOUNTED TOUR OF LAS CASAS FILIPINAS DE ACUZAR •
• CHECK FOR DISCOUNTED HOTELS IN BATAAN •

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20 comments

  1. Great stop in Gettysburg nazi memorabilia for sale....great place to visit! so much to look at. great things to purchase. The owner has been on Pawn Stars and American Pickers and he was there when we visited.

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  2. My friend her father was in the Battan Death March and has his memorable. She wants to place it in the proper place to be remembered. Where would be a good place to donate?

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    Replies
    1. This would be a good place to donate your World War II relics

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  7. I want to say thank to you people for this great and helpful info. Thanks!!!

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  8. That's a nice place of you; we have been polishing off there.

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  9. Your website is terribly informative and your articles are wonderful.

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  10. how much po entrance sa bataan world war 2 museum? yung updated po ngayong 2018.. thanks po

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    Replies
    1. Hi, the entrance fee for the Bataan World War II Museum is still 50 pesos

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  11. Hi, sino po pwede kausap sa management po ng Museum? May contact number po ba kayo nila?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, you may contact the Bataan Tourism Center for this: (047) 237-4785

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  12. do they have an email address?

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    Replies
    1. They don't have an email address but they do have a Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/Bataan-World-War-II-Museum-269513549889414/

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  13. I have been to the Friendship Tower. It was over 30 years ago, but I recall, like it is yesterday, the Bataan Christian Youth Civic Circle members. They were thoughtful, nice, and kind to me. I learned a lot from them. I wish I could Visit Balanga, Bataan; and see them again.

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    Replies
    1. Wow, thirty years ago! I was still a kid back then!

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