During the old days, when the sky is clear, you can see the cross of Mount Samat from the roof of our house in Malabon, recalls my mom as I told her I was going on a trip to Bataan. That’s a long way off, about fifty kilometers way off. To step on the cross near the apex of Mount Samat had always been a dream of mine ever since having a glimpse of it from a window of a speeding bus during my high school years.

THE PEAK OF THE CROSS, 555 METERS ABOVE SEA LEVEL

Dubbed as the Dambana ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valor, the 73,665-hectare park built in 1966 is dedicated to the fallen heroes of the Second World War. The site itself is part of bloody battlefield where the Philippines’ last stand against the Japanese Imperial Forces took place.

► CHECK OUT: BATAAN WORLD WAR II HISTORICAL TOUR 

I’m not really that familiar with what Bataan has to offer when it comes to food. Being a peninsula, I know it has an abundance of seafood. During our first night in the province for the Pawikan Festival, our host surprised us with a Kapampangan culinary spot in the town of Pilar.

DIGGING THE VERY HOMEY CHARACTER OF IMA’S INTERIORS

WALL DECORS — BUSTED CLOCKS AND SUNGKA

CARINDERIA-STYLE FOOD TRAYS

Well, I really shouldn’t have been surprised as the province of Pampanga is located just on the north-eastern side of Bataan. The restaurant’s full name is Ima Flora’s Pamangan, which is kampampangan for Mother Flora’s Food. Unpainted wooden benches and tables, faded stained floor, and knick knack-filled wood-paneled walls dress the interiors of the restaurant—and on a counter, a buffet spread, carinderia-style, was set.

Indeed, the ambience felt like an upscale carinderia, except the food is still quite affordable. At PHP250.00 per person, it doesn’t hold Bataan’s cheapest buffet title for nothing.

► CHECK OUT: ATCHING LILLIAN PAMPANGA

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.