Mount Samat
Encyclopedia
Mount Samat is a mountain in the town
of Pilar
, Province of Bataan
, in the Republic of the Philippines
. Located on the summit of the mountain is Dambana ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valour, a memorial shrine complex built to honor and remember the gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II
.
Consisting of a colonnade
and the huge Memorial Cross, the sentinel of Bataan, the park was commissioned in 1966 by then President Ferdinand Marcos
, a War Veteran
himself, for the 25th Anniversary of the Second World War. The white Memorial Cross stands as a remembrance to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Bataan
. From the colonnade and the cross, one can view Bataan, Corregidor Island and on a clear day, the city of Manila
. The shrine complex also includes a war museum with a wide array of collections from paintings of the Philippine heroes to armaments used by the American, Filipino and Japanese forces in the heat of the battle.
, Mount Samat was the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942 during the Battle of Bataan
. Suffering heavy losses against the Japanese all over Luzon
, Filipino and American soldiers retreated to Bataan Peninsula
to regroup for a last valiant but futile stand. This retreat to Bataan is part of a United States strategy known as War Plan Orange.
After the fierce battle lasting three days, 78,000 exhausted, sick and starving men under Major General Edward P. King
surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, the Fall of Bataan. It was, and still is, the single largest surrender of U.S. soldiers ever. Together with the Philippine soldiers, they were then led on the Bataan Death March
.
The scene of their last stronghold is Mount Samat, the site of the Dambana ng Kagitingan. The shrine was conceived as a fitting memorial to the heroic struggle and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought and died in that historic bastion of freedom.
on April 14, 1966 by President Marcos. The construction was not finished for the 25th Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan in 1967 due to lack of funds. The shrine was completed and inaugurated in 1970 for the 25th Anniversary of the end of World War II. The park is consisted of a colonnade and at the peak of the mountain, the Memorial Cross. The shrine was designed by Lorenzo del Castillo and landscaped by Dolly Quimbo-Perez.
. The last series of steps to the colonnade level are bordered on two sides by two pedestal
s topped with bronze urns symbolizing 'eternal flame.'
The Colonnade is a marble-covered structure surrounded by esplanade
. The esplanade is surrounded by marble covered parapet
s with the outer side covered with 19 high relief sculptures by National Artist
Napoleon Abueva
depicting images of the war alternating with 18 bronze insignias of USAFFE Division units made by Talleres de Maximo Vicente, Leonides Valdez, and Angel Sampra and Sons. Each bronze insignias has a flagpole for the flags of each division.
Inside the colonnade, in the middle is the altar and behind are three religious stained glass
mural
s designed by Cenon Rivera and executed by Vetrate D'Arte Giuliani of Rome
, Italy
. Four large chandeliers made of bronze hang from the ceiling of the building. On the two lateral walls are inscribed in marble a narrative of the “Battle of Bataan”.
Behind the Colonnade is the start of the footpath that leads to the base of the Cross. The 14-flight zigzagging path on the mountain slope is paved with bloodstone
s from Corregidor Island. An alternate road also takes visitors to the base of the cross.
and reinforced concrete
with an elevator and viewing gallery at the arm of the cross. A staircase also take the guests to the gallery on the wings. The height of the cross is 92 metres (301.8 ft) from the base. The height of the arms is 74 metres (242.8 ft) from the base. The length of the arm is 30 metres (98.4 ft) (15 on each side). The viewing gallery is 18 feet (5.5 m) by 90 feet (27.4 m) with a 7 feet (2.1 m) clearance.
The exterior of the cross is finished with chipped granolithic
marble
. The base up to 11 metres (36.1 ft) level is capped with sculptural slabs and relief
s titled “Nabiag Na Bato” also by Napoleon Abueva
depicting important historical figures and events like the execution of Jose Rizal
, Lapu-Lapu
and Antonio Luna
.
Diwa in Pilar
, Bataan. Coming from Manila
, head north by taking the North Luzon Expressway
(Balintawak Cloverleaf) and exit at the SCTEX exit in Mabalacat, Pampanga
which leads to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway
. Follow the signs to Subic. Exit at the Dinalupihan exit then turn right at the Roman Highway. After about 24 kilometres (14.9 mi), upon reaching the Mt. Samat junction, turn west or right. After about 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) towards Mt. Samat, to the is a 6.5 kilometres (4 mi) winding uphill road to the shrine.
Municipalities of the Philippines
A municipality is a local government unit in the Philippines. Municipalities are also called towns . They are distinct from cities, which are a different category of local government unit...
of Pilar
Pilar, Bataan
Pilar is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 43,213 people in 6,514 households. The living standards are healthier than its neighboring city of Balanga which is always congested and heavily polluted. The historic...
, Province of Bataan
Bataan
Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...
, in the Republic of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Located on the summit of the mountain is Dambana ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valour, a memorial shrine complex built to honor and remember the gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Consisting of a colonnade
Colonnade
In classical architecture, a colonnade denotes a long sequence of columns joined by their entablature, often free-standing, or part of a building....
and the huge Memorial Cross, the sentinel of Bataan, the park was commissioned in 1966 by then President Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Marcos
Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos, Sr. was a Filipino leader and an authoritarian President of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He was a lawyer, member of the Philippine House of Representatives and a member of the Philippine Senate...
, a War Veteran
War Veteran
War Veteran is a science fiction short story by Philip K. Dick. It was first published in If magazine in March 1955.-Plot summary:The plot concerns an old man who claims to have travelled back in time from a future in which Earth has lost a devastating war to its own Martian and Venusian colonies...
himself, for the 25th Anniversary of the Second World War. The white Memorial Cross stands as a remembrance to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Bataan
Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast...
. From the colonnade and the cross, one can view Bataan, Corregidor Island and on a clear day, the city of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. The shrine complex also includes a war museum with a wide array of collections from paintings of the Philippine heroes to armaments used by the American, Filipino and Japanese forces in the heat of the battle.
History
Along with the fortified island of CorregidorCorregidor
Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Due to this location, Corregidor was fortified with several coastal artillery and ammunition magazines to defend the entrance of...
, Mount Samat was the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942 during the Battle of Bataan
Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast...
. Suffering heavy losses against the Japanese all over Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Filipino and American soldiers retreated to Bataan Peninsula
Bataan Peninsula
The Bataan Peninsula is a rocky extension of the Zambales Mountains, on Luzon in the Philippines. It separates the Manila Bay from the South China Sea...
to regroup for a last valiant but futile stand. This retreat to Bataan is part of a United States strategy known as War Plan Orange.
After the fierce battle lasting three days, 78,000 exhausted, sick and starving men under Major General Edward P. King
Edward P. King
Edward Postell King Jr. was a Major General in the United States Army who gained prominence for leading the defense of the Bataan Peninsula in the Battle of Bataan against the Japanese invasion of the Philippines in World War II.-Education:...
surrendered to the Japanese on April 9, 1942, the Fall of Bataan. It was, and still is, the single largest surrender of U.S. soldiers ever. Together with the Philippine soldiers, they were then led on the Bataan Death March
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer, by the Imperial Japanese Army, of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners.The march was characterized by...
.
The scene of their last stronghold is Mount Samat, the site of the Dambana ng Kagitingan. The shrine was conceived as a fitting memorial to the heroic struggle and sacrifices of the soldiers who fought and died in that historic bastion of freedom.
Architectural features
Located in an area approximately 73665 hectares (182,030 acre), the memorial shrine complex was started in 1966 with the laying of the cornerstoneCornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
on April 14, 1966 by President Marcos. The construction was not finished for the 25th Anniversary of the Fall of Bataan in 1967 due to lack of funds. The shrine was completed and inaugurated in 1970 for the 25th Anniversary of the end of World War II. The park is consisted of a colonnade and at the peak of the mountain, the Memorial Cross. The shrine was designed by Lorenzo del Castillo and landscaped by Dolly Quimbo-Perez.
Colonnade
From the parking lot, a wide three series of steps that narrows to the top lead visitors to the flagpole that holds the flag of the PhilippinesFlag of the Philippines
The national flag of the Philippines is a horizontal flag bicolor with equal bands of royal blue and scarlet red, and with a white equilateral triangle at the hoist; in the center of the triangle is a golden yellow sun with eight primary rays, each containing three individual rays, which represent...
. The last series of steps to the colonnade level are bordered on two sides by two pedestal
Pedestal
Pedestal is a term generally applied to the support of a statue or a vase....
s topped with bronze urns symbolizing 'eternal flame.'
The Colonnade is a marble-covered structure surrounded by esplanade
Esplanade
An esplanade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The original meaning of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress' guns...
. The esplanade is surrounded by marble covered parapet
Parapet
A parapet is a wall-like barrier at the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony or other structure. Where extending above a roof, it may simply be the portion of an exterior wall that continues above the line of the roof surface, or may be a continuation of a vertical feature beneath the roof such as a...
s with the outer side covered with 19 high relief sculptures by National Artist
National Artist of the Philippines
A National Artist of the Philippines is a title given to a Filipino who has been given the highest recognition for having made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts...
Napoleon Abueva
Napoleón Abueva
Napoleón Isabelo Veloso-Abueva , more popularly known as Napoleón Abueva, is a Filipino artist. He is a sculptor given the distinction as the Philippines' National Artist for Sculpture. He is also entitled as the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture"...
depicting images of the war alternating with 18 bronze insignias of USAFFE Division units made by Talleres de Maximo Vicente, Leonides Valdez, and Angel Sampra and Sons. Each bronze insignias has a flagpole for the flags of each division.
Inside the colonnade, in the middle is the altar and behind are three religious stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
s designed by Cenon Rivera and executed by Vetrate D'Arte Giuliani of Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. Four large chandeliers made of bronze hang from the ceiling of the building. On the two lateral walls are inscribed in marble a narrative of the “Battle of Bataan”.
Behind the Colonnade is the start of the footpath that leads to the base of the Cross. The 14-flight zigzagging path on the mountain slope is paved with bloodstone
Heliotrope (mineral)
The mineral heliotrope, also known as bloodstone, is a form of chalcedony . The "classic" bloodstone is green chalcedony with red inclusions of iron oxide or red jasper...
s from Corregidor Island. An alternate road also takes visitors to the base of the cross.
Memorial Cross
The Memorial Cross is a towering structure located at the highest point of Mount Samat, 555 metres (1,820.9 ft) above sea level. The monument is made of steelSteel
Steel is an alloy that consists mostly of iron and has a carbon content between 0.2% and 2.1% by weight, depending on the grade. Carbon is the most common alloying material for iron, but various other alloying elements are used, such as manganese, chromium, vanadium, and tungsten...
and reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
with an elevator and viewing gallery at the arm of the cross. A staircase also take the guests to the gallery on the wings. The height of the cross is 92 metres (301.8 ft) from the base. The height of the arms is 74 metres (242.8 ft) from the base. The length of the arm is 30 metres (98.4 ft) (15 on each side). The viewing gallery is 18 feet (5.5 m) by 90 feet (27.4 m) with a 7 feet (2.1 m) clearance.
The exterior of the cross is finished with chipped granolithic
Granolithic
Granolithic screed, also known as granolithic paving and granolithic concrete, is a type of construction material composed of cement and fine aggregate such as granite or other hard-wearing rock. It is generally used as flooring, or as paving...
marble
Marble
Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals, most commonly calcite or dolomite.Geologists use the term "marble" to refer to metamorphosed limestone; however stonemasons use the term more broadly to encompass unmetamorphosed limestone.Marble is commonly used for...
. The base up to 11 metres (36.1 ft) level is capped with sculptural slabs and relief
Relief
Relief is a sculptural technique. The term relief is from the Latin verb levo, to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is thus to give the impression that the sculpted material has been raised above the background plane...
s titled “Nabiag Na Bato” also by Napoleon Abueva
Napoleón Abueva
Napoleón Isabelo Veloso-Abueva , more popularly known as Napoleón Abueva, is a Filipino artist. He is a sculptor given the distinction as the Philippines' National Artist for Sculpture. He is also entitled as the "Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture"...
depicting important historical figures and events like the execution of Jose Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
, Lapu-Lapu
Lapu-Lapu
Lapu-Lapu was the ruler of Mactan, an island in the Visayas, Philippines, who is known as the first native of the archipelago to have resisted the Spanish colonization...
and Antonio Luna
Antonio Luna
Antonio Luna y Novicio was a Filipino pharmacist and general who fought in the Philippine-American War. He was also the founder of the Philippines's first military academy.- Family background :...
.
Location
The complex is located in BarangayBarangay
A barangay is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward...
Diwa in Pilar
Pilar, Bataan
Pilar is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 43,213 people in 6,514 households. The living standards are healthier than its neighboring city of Balanga which is always congested and heavily polluted. The historic...
, Bataan. Coming from Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, head north by taking the North Luzon Expressway
North Luzon Expressway
The North Luzon Expressway , and which is formerly called the North Diversion Road, and officially known as Radial Road 8 is a 4 to 8-lane limited-access toll expressway that connects Metro Manila to the provinces of the Central Luzon region in the Philippines...
(Balintawak Cloverleaf) and exit at the SCTEX exit in Mabalacat, Pampanga
Pampanga
Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
which leads to the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway
The Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway is a four-lane expressway north of Manila, in the Philippines. Its southern terminus is at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales, it passes through the interchange with the North Luzon Expressway near the Clark Special Economic Zone in Angeles City, and its...
. Follow the signs to Subic. Exit at the Dinalupihan exit then turn right at the Roman Highway. After about 24 kilometres (14.9 mi), upon reaching the Mt. Samat junction, turn west or right. After about 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) towards Mt. Samat, to the is a 6.5 kilometres (4 mi) winding uphill road to the shrine.