MARIVELES, Bataan – Adventurers from the Ayala Mountaineering Club Inc. (AMCI) and their local counterparts said they have “rediscovered” the potential of the historic Mt. Tarak Ridge in this town as a major attraction for its “unusual beauty.”
This town’s Mayor Jesse Concepcion, himself a mountain climber, said aside from its unique environment for having cold weather and crystal-clear waterfalls, Mt. Tarak Ridge is 1,288 meters high above sea level and afford a panoramic view that includes skyscrapers of Metro Manila.
“The ridge is also historically significant as one of the fiercest battles during World War II was fought there,” he also said.
“Standing at the peak of Mt. Tarak Ridge is exhilarating as you could see the whole view of Bataan, Manila Bay and the tall buildings in Metro Manila. This place is unique in our country,” Concepcion said.
Businessman and mountain climber Dennis Cuarto, who led recently the mountain climbing all the way to the Tarak Ridge, also cited the ridge’s virgin forest and cold environment. He said he plans to hold the first Tarak peak trade fair in the area this April to promote the area for tourism.
Recently in the virgin forest of the ridge, an American and Japanese expedition led by American national Spike Nasmyth found the wreckage of a World War II Japanese Tora-Tora bomber plane and the skeletal remains of its pilot who engaged in a historic dogfight with an American aviator during World War II.
The skeletal remains were later identified to be that of Sgt. Toshishada Kurusawa whose relatives later flew into the country to get the remains.
The remains of the Japanese pilot was only accidentally discovered by the expeditionary group which was actually searching for the remains of American pilot 2nd Lt. Earl Stone who was confirmed to have been killed in the dogfight with Japanese forces on Feb. 9, 1942.
The discovery confirmed historical accounts that the area was the site of a fierce airborne battle between Japanese and American forces in the last world war.
This town’s Mayor Jesse Concepcion, himself a mountain climber, said aside from its unique environment for having cold weather and crystal-clear waterfalls, Mt. Tarak Ridge is 1,288 meters high above sea level and afford a panoramic view that includes skyscrapers of Metro Manila.
“The ridge is also historically significant as one of the fiercest battles during World War II was fought there,” he also said.
“Standing at the peak of Mt. Tarak Ridge is exhilarating as you could see the whole view of Bataan, Manila Bay and the tall buildings in Metro Manila. This place is unique in our country,” Concepcion said.
Businessman and mountain climber Dennis Cuarto, who led recently the mountain climbing all the way to the Tarak Ridge, also cited the ridge’s virgin forest and cold environment. He said he plans to hold the first Tarak peak trade fair in the area this April to promote the area for tourism.
Recently in the virgin forest of the ridge, an American and Japanese expedition led by American national Spike Nasmyth found the wreckage of a World War II Japanese Tora-Tora bomber plane and the skeletal remains of its pilot who engaged in a historic dogfight with an American aviator during World War II.
The skeletal remains were later identified to be that of Sgt. Toshishada Kurusawa whose relatives later flew into the country to get the remains.
The remains of the Japanese pilot was only accidentally discovered by the expeditionary group which was actually searching for the remains of American pilot 2nd Lt. Earl Stone who was confirmed to have been killed in the dogfight with Japanese forces on Feb. 9, 1942.
The discovery confirmed historical accounts that the area was the site of a fierce airborne battle between Japanese and American forces in the last world war.
