Province of BATAAN

 Try to visit the tallest memorial cross in the Philippines, a towering 555 meters above sea level. This province is a peninsula with captivating beaches, cliffs overlooking the crashing South China Sea, bushy hillsides, and forested ridges, all intertwined with hiking trails.

Journey On . . .

Welcome to wonderful BATAAN !

  This special page is my manifest desire to promote our country’s tourism and keep my kababayan informed, visually guided, and updated about our wonderful Province of BATAAN. 

  I’m sure you will be fascinated by its breath-taking natural wonders abound and various recreational facilities and FUNtastic attractions.

    Delight yourselves in the exotic paradise of beauty, interest and adventure, and feel the pleasures of the people’s bayanihan spirit and hospitality.

    Come along and experience the finest things the province could offer. Be captivated by its people distinctive qualities.

   Discover and appreciate the works of creative local artists, their handicrafts and souvenir mementos.

   Experience our rich cultural heritage. Learn more about our culture, traditions, and colorful history.  

   Dine and savor our tasty distinctive foods, innovative cuisine with a homemade touch, and accompanied with personable and attentive service.

  Traveling taught me a few things; one of the most useful is that the best way to know more of our local kababayan is through its markets. 

   Visit its markets that serve the best in fresh fruits, organic vegetables and gourmet food items. Your shopping list will engorge with goodies to bring home. 

   Learn the best places to recreate, enjoy and cherish a truly fascinating experience, and much, much more. In short, here is Just the Best !

Here’s to a worthwhile provincial journey !

Mabunying paglalakbay para sa lahat !

Lungsod ng Balanga 

Ang pangalan ng lungsod ay hango sa isang katutubong lutuan na yari sa pinla. Tinagurian itong 'balanga' at patuloy pa rin ginagamit bilang lutuan magpahanggang sa ngayon. Kahalintulad ito ng palayok, subalit magkaiba sa hugis at laki. Dalawa bayan lamang sa Pilipinas ang may ganitong taguri tungkol sa pinlang lutuan. Ang isa ay ang 'kalamba' sa Lungsod ng Calamba, lalawigan ng Laguna.

Mga Bayan

Dinalupihan
Hermosa
Orani
Samal
Abucay
Morong
Bagac
Pilar
Orion
Limay
Mariveles

Mga Magagandang Tanawin at
Makasaysayang mga Bantayog 
ng BATAAN

Tanyag sa buong mundo bilang 'Huling Tanggulan' at nagsilbing moog sa tagumpay ng demokrasya noong nakaraang digmaan sa pagitan ng Hapon at Amerika, na kung saan ang Pilipinas ay nasangkot. Tumanggap ito ng pinakamatinding labanan at kinasangkutan ng lahat nitong mga bayan pati Isla ng Corregidor na humantong sa nakalulunos at di-malilimutang  'Bataan Death March.'

The Triumph of Spirit Lives On
Bataan's history reflects the bravery and patience of its people in their quest for peace, freedom, and unity. It is shown by facts and events which justifies the courage, perseverance, and their determination to stand firm for the welfare of our nation and people.
It has gained worldwide acclaim for its resistance to invaders during World War II. The Dambana ng kagitingan stands as a monument to this gallant heroism.

Dambana ng Kagitingan

Shrine of Valor, located at Mt.Samat, Diwa, Pilar. The memorial cross is a towering 555 meters above seal level structure on top of Mount Samat. The height of the cross is 92 meters from the base. The length of the arm is 30 meters (15 on each side). The exterior finish of the huge cross at the base up to an 11-meter level is capped with Nabiag Nga Bato sculptural slabs and bas-reliefs depicting significant battles and historical events.

First Line of Defense Monument  
Located at Rotunda, Layac, Dinalupihan. It marks the first line of defense of the combined Philippine-USAFFE troops against the overwhelming Japanese invasion during World War II. Symbolic of the heroic stand of Filipinos and American forces who restored our country and people to freedom.

The Flaming Sword Monument

In front of Pilar Municipal Hall. A symbol of the Filipino courage and gallantry in the face of external threats to the nation's democracy and peace.

Phil-Japan Friendship Tower

Located at the road intersection in Bagac

Vietnamese Shrine   
Located in Morong, a memorial honoring thousands of refugees who escaped the new socialist government of Vietnam. It is in the place formerly called Bataan Refugee Processing Center.

Death Marh Commemorative Markers

From different municipal points

Cayetano Arellano Monument

Corregidor Island 

Eco-Tourism

Bataan is an excellent eco-tourism destination that rarely sees tourists even if it is very close to Manila. The peninsula offers a lot of lessons in ongoing environmental and heritage conservation as well as the lessons of history and humanity. For those who swing by and want a quick yet meaningful getaway from Manila, Bataan is a very good option for weekend travelers.

 Bird Watching  -Balanga City 
The Bataan peninsula is part of the East Asian-Australian flyway or the main migratory routes these birds have used for ages.Balanga city's thick mangrove forest, wetlands, grasslands, and mudflats have provided a natural food basket for both migratory and endemic bird species for years, making the area one of the most populated bird sites in the Philippines.

Pawikan Conservative Center  
-Nagbalayong, Morong


Mountain Climbing/Trekking  -Orani-Morong, Mariveles
Mangrove Plantation  -Abucay, Balanga City, Pilar, Orion

 Sports-Tourism

Mountain Biking  -Mariveles, Bagac, Orion (Nov.-April)
Motocross  -Pilar, Orion, Mariveles, Bagac
Circuit Racing  -Balanga City
Airsoft War Games  -Pulong Bato, Orion
Practical Shooting  -BATAS Firing Range, Lamao, Limay

Festivities & Celebrations
Senakulo
Every Holy Week -Calaguiman, Samal
Banga Festival
Last week of April  -Balanga City

St. Peter of Verona Feast Day 
3rd of May celebration  -Hermosa
Kuraldal Festival
24th of June celebration -Dinalupihan

Nuestra Senora Virgen del Rosario Feast Day
2nd Sunday of October  -Orani

Pawikan Sanctuary and Festival
Last week of November  -Nagbalayong, Morong

Paskuhan sa Mabatang
December 15 to January 6 Christmas Celebrations  -Mabatang, Abucay


Landmarks
Dambana ng Kagitingan
Altar of Valor -Located at Mt. Samat, Diwa, Pilar

First Abucay Catholic Church 

The 411 year old church was built in the early 1600's, burned in 1870 and rebuilt. The spiritual ministration of Abucay was entrusted to the Dominicans in 1588.

St. Jopseph Cathedral  -Balanga City

Used as a site for Japanese bombardment of Mt.Samat where Filipino and American forces gave their last stand. 

Balanga Elementary School   -Balanga City

The same site where Major General Edward P. King signed the tragic instrument of surrender under a mango tree at the back of this school on April 9, 1942 (The Fall of Bataan)

 Ciudad Acuzar   -Bagac

The 400 hectare collection of Indio stilt houses, 18th century Principalia mansions, and stone houses. 

Composed of abandoned and decaying centuries-old colonial houses from all over Luzon faithfully restored brick by brick, plank by plank, and laid out in clusters next to the sea. The streets were made of bricks as well with a tastefully done plaza at the center- just a spectacular study of Philippine colonial architecture that can probably put Vigan to shame (Vigan’s main advantage however was that the houses were all originally built in the same area as opposed to the relocation done with the houses here. 

An entire row of Escolta buildings were also recreated straight from an old photograph. Escolta was Manila’s former commercial center during its heyday (this was where the young and statuesque Imelda Romualdez became a saleslady before marrying the dictator Ferdinand Marcos).

Falls & Springs 

Dunsulan Falls  -Mt.Samat, Pilar  
Pasukulan Falls  -Abucay
A natural valley of Mt. Natib. It has fresh vegetation and relatively unexplored.
Sibul Springs  -Abucay 
Balong Anito  -Mariveles

Bataan Nuclear Power Plant 

It is a nuclear power plant, completed but never fueled. It is located on a 3.57 square kilometer government reservation at Napot Point in Morong. It was the Philippines' only attempt at building a nuclear power plant.

Beach Resorts
   Bataan White Coral Beach   -Panibatuhan, Morong
   Westnuk Beach Cove   -Morong
Inland Resorts
   NPC Resort Village   -Bagac   
   Joyous Resort & Restaurant  -Dona Francisca, Balanga City
   La Vista Inland Resort   -Central, Balanga City

Province of BATAAN