BALANGA CITY – On April 9, all roads in Bataan will lead to historic Mount Samat in Pilar town where the 71st Paggunitang Araw ng Kagitingan will be held with Pres. Benigno Aquino, Jr. as guest of honor and speaker.
From a distance can be clearly seen the 92.3-meter high War Memorial Cross on top of the former blood-bathed mountain where heavy fighting took place between Filipino and American soldiers on one side and the Japanese invaders on another side a few days before Bataan fell on April 9, 1942.
The big cross seems to sway with the clouds when viewed from the War Memorial Shrine where the commemoration program will be conducted. Living WWII veterans and surviving spouses, girls and boys scouts and guests below a giant tent will hear the Chief Executive speak or promise something for the few remaining survivors of the war.
Before reaching Mt. Samat, visitors will notice some historical markers and monuments along the MacArthur Highway but may have not bothered to ask what these are for.
A few meters after the big arch dividing Pampanga and Bataan stands the Bataan and Democracy marker in barangay Balsik, Hermosa town. The marker says it symbolizes the role of Bataan in the fight for freedom and the preservation of democracy.
Some meters away, also in Balsik, is the KM 72 Death March marker that indicates that sick and hungry captive Filipino and American soldiers had already hiked 72 kilometers from Mariveles, Bataan.
At KM 68 Death March marker can be seen the First Line of Defense Monument at the junction of Layac in Dinalupihan, Bataan. This depicts Filipino combatants in fighting stance to repel the approaching Japanese soldiers.
Sgt. Jose Calugas, a cook and other cooks helped Filipino soldiers in fighting the enemies. Heavy fighting took place in Layac.
A stone-marble marker comes in next in Orani town some meters away from KM 57 Death March marker. This shows the defiant spirit of Bataan.
Heavy fighting again took place in barangay Mabatang, Abucay town as indicated in the Abucay – Morong Line marker.
Two century-old trees, an acacia in Abucay and a sampalok in Sta. Rosa, Pilar town are deaf-mute witnesses to the sufferings of Filipino and American soldiers during the Death March.
In front of the Abucay Church is the monument dedicated to Filipino soldiers. The oldest church in Bataan served as garrison of the Japanese Army after Bataan fell.
The Surrender Site monument shows life-size sculpture of American and Japanese officers discussing surrender agreements on April 9, 1942. Maj. Gen. Edward King, Jr., commanding general of the Luzon forces of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East, surrendered Bataan to Col. Mootoo Nakayama of the 14th Japanese Army.
The surrender monument is located at the Balanga Elementary School that served as command post of Japanese Gen. Masaharu Homma.
In Pilar town majestically stands the Flaming Sword monument “a symbol of courage and gallantry in the face of external forces to fight for the nation’s freedom and peace.”
Before going down the zigzag road in Mariveles town can be seen the KM 06 Death March marker and below the winding road the KM 03 post. This shows that weak Filipino and American soldiers walked three kilometers uphill.
Near the Mariveles municipal hall is the KM 00 Starting Point of the Death March. This was where the 100-km march to San Fernando, Pampanga and another 13 kilometers to a concentration camp in Capas, Tarlac began.
From San Fernando, the prisoners were loaded on freight wagons and unloaded at the rail station in Capas where they again walked to Camp O’Donnell.
At the Bataan Capitol in Balanga City, seat of the provincial government, is the Fall of Bataan marker.
