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 

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.

Whispers silently echo through the black circular walls of the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac. The sky was devoid of clouds and the mid-afternoon sun shone hard, full and unfiltered. It was sweltering hot, but somehow, these whispers sent a shiver down my body.

►EXPLORE MORE: TARLAC TRAVEL BLOG

THE THREE-PRONGED PILLAR AT THE CAPAS NATIONAL SHRINE IN TARLAC

On the 9th of April 1942, around 60,000 to 80,000 Filipino and American soldiers, those who survived and surrendered after the Fall of Corregidor, were herded by the Japanese occupational forces at Mariveles, Bataan.

These prisoners of war were then forced to march for hundreds of kilometers, passing through the towns of Pampanga and Tarlac, their numbers dwindling every day due to hunger, disease, and fatigue until they reached Camp O’ Donnel in the town of Capas.

►RELATED: CORREGIDOR TRAVEL GUIDE

The first thing that catches most visitors’ attention upon arriving in Ozamiz City is the fort that stands guard over Panguil Bay. Dubbed as the Cotta Shrine or Fort Santiago, it is made from blocks of sedimentary rocks and coral stones found along the coastal parts of the city. It stands as one, and probably the sole reminder, of the city’s once colorful past.

It was drizzling as I arrived in at Ozamiz City. A blanket of white clouds obscured the sky as I avoided puddles made by the rain. Taking shelter at the makeshift stores of Ozamis street food vendors, I spotted the ornate stone gate of the Cotta Shrine.

Lapu-Lapu’s twenty-foot bronze statue rise gracefully above the gumamela thicket circling Cebu’s famous shrine like the hero that Filipinos revere him to be. It was the first day of my jaunt to Iligan City through Cebu and I thought about visiting a few of the city’s landmarks before continuing my journey to Mindanao that night.

►SEE: ILIGAN TRAVEL GUIDE

The Lapu-Lapu Shrine at Lapu-Lapu City is erected to commemorate the famous 1521 Battle of Mactan where Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan is slain by the island’s chieftain, Datu Lapu-Lapu. The shrine is erected along the coastal area of Punta Engaño where the actual conflict is believed to have occurred.

►CHECK FOR AFFORDABLE HOTELS IN CEBU

The rain lashed and tried to tear away the umbrella from my hands as I approached the massive Hozomon Gate that precedes the Sensoji Temple. I was on a buying spree for souvenirs to bring back home at Asakusa’s Nakamise Street when I chanced upon its red gates. I still have a few hours left before my plane leaves for Manila and it’s only with good fortune that my last destination before leaving Japan would be Tokyo’s largest Buddhist Temple and not to mention, the country’s oldest.

My feet led me to a dead end. I followed a trail at the back of Hakone’s famous Fujiya Hotel and it let me to a winding set of stone stairs that descended into nothingness. I looked around, trying to see my way out of this place, looking for shortcut, a hidden pathway; anything but to double back from the way I came. My eyes saw a silhouette of a structure against the bush on my right; brushed it aside and found a temple. A secret temple, unbeknownst to my fellow travelers.

Cherry blossoms fell like snowflakes along the sidewalks of Tokyo along with the incessant drizzle. It was our second day in Japan and the country’s weather was apparently not on our side.

My no-sleep plan was put on hold as rain started to pour after our Tokyo Tower night shoot. I was able to rest for two hours before my alarm blared its muffled tones below my pillow. Like a zombie, I groggily went to the window and fully awakened to a gray Japanese morning. It was still raining.

One of the things I really like about Tokyo is their appreciation of history. You’d think that since the city’s real estate is highly valued, they’d tear down every old useless structure they have and supplant it with glitzy office buildings. Well, politicians do that in Manila, but not in Tokyo.

Along with Sony Alpha’s camera ambassadors Pilar Tuason and Manny Librodo, we strolled down the streets of Toranomon after our very Japanese banquet at Sakura Jaya restaurant en route to Hotel Okura. It was quite cold as we navigated the sidewalks, stuffing our bare hands inside our jacket pockets.

I remember manually tallying the steps towards the apex of the Lourdes Grotto in Baguio City when I was a kid. I was unable to recall the total count, but I remember finishing all the steps and reaching its summit where an icon of the Our Lady of Lourdes is enshrined.

Fast forward a few decades later. The morning was crisp and the air chilly as I looked out through the window of my cheap Baguio dormitel. I had an uncomfortable night’s sleep but I was still thankful that there wasn’t anything out of the ordinary that happened the previous night. I arranged my gear and was soon walking briskly into the still dark morning.

I knew that the Lourdes Grotto was just near my lodging. I nodded at a passing stranger and followed up with a question for directions. I continued my solitary walk, stuffing my hands inside my jacket for warmth.

It’s the sixteenth and last day of my longest road trip so far. It took me to various provinces of the country; from Northern Luzon to Central Visayas and Northern Mindanao. The journey was quite taxing considering there were no plane rides involved throughout, but it was very rewarding nevertheless. The end of my trip commenced at where recorded history began for the Philippines, Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City.

We were debating where to head next now that ZaNorte’s Hudyaka Festival is already over. The choices ranged all the way from Davao, to Iligan and Cebu. The final consensus was to head out to Cebu, but before that, we’re gonna max our stay at Zamboanga del Norte and check out Rizal’s trail in Dapitan City first.

En route to Dipolog, we passed thru the province of Aklan. And once in Caticlan, the pull of Boracay was irresistible. I have never been to Boracay if you can believe it, so I guess this is finally the time for me to see the country’s most famous beach.

Descending one hundred steps down a three-meter wide stone stairwell called hagdan-hagdanan and into a concrete entryway; we entered the grounds of one of the oldest church in Taal.

Unlike its more famous neighbor, the Taal Basilica, Our Lady of Caysasay Church looks quite plain and humble. Its body is built of coral stones and its roof, made of plain corrugated tin. Most of its exterior wall is unpainted, except for the facade which is done in a light yellow tone.

Its interior is also very homely (and looks about ready to crumble anytime), with the exception of its north and south transept crossings which is towered over by painted domes done by artist Cesar Aberoni.

There are barely any décors outside and you’d hardly take a second look at the structure if you don’t have any idea about its rich history.