Bataan Road Odyssey

Over the past few weeks, several provinces were abuzz with 75th anniversary commemorations of World War 2 events—the Battle of Sibuyan Sea in Romblon, Leyte Gulf Landings, and the Battle of Surigao Strait, the most notable of them. The historic observances were opportunities for veterans, their kin, and travelers to drive down or around these scenic places for a trip down memory lane, and rediscover the country roads that could take you home.

But for weekend warriors who don’t have the luxury of time and moolah to do a caravan down these distant shores, Bataan is a viable alternative for those who want to honor the country’s wartime heroes. After all, this year’s commemorations all trace their roots to the gallant last land by Filipino and American soldiers in this this hallowed province.

Located just over 2 hours north of Manila via the SCTEx, the province beckons with its merry mix of history, leisure, adventure, and everything in between. Its four-lane road network—the roller coaster-like Roman Superhighway, accessibility by car, motorcycle, and various modes of public transportation make it an enticing getaway the whole-year round.

A fast craft service from the Esplanade Seaside Terminal near the Mall of Asia can glide you to Orion town through Manila Bay, and spare you from traffic.

Pit Stop 1: Balanga City. Swing by Bataan Tourism Center (BTC), a one-stop shop for visitors which has a souvenir shop of local food products and souvenirs, an audio-visual room for viewing war documentaries, and a mini-museum and diorama. It also houses the provincial tourism office where you can get travel advisories and vital road trip information.

Within the city proper is the surrender site of the Fil-American troops to the Japanese inside the Balanga Elementary School which is immortalized in a museum and life-size bronze tableau.

The City of Balanga Wetlands and Nature Park is a sought-after bird watching site which is home to some 9,500 endemic and migratory birds according to the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines. This 34-hectare mangrove forest and foreshore was recently declared a special ecotourism zone by Republic Act 11365 to make it a model for sustainable tourism.

Pit Stop 2: Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor). Situated 12 km from a highway junction, this recognizable war memorial stands loftily atop Mt. Samat in Pilar, and can be seen in most parts of the province. The centerpiece of this 50-year old complex is the 92-meter tall white cross and a colonnade with the war dead’s name inscriptions, sculptures by the late National Artist Napoleon Abueva, and a museum on the Pacific war.

An added attraction at Mt. Samat’s bosom is the 540-meter long, 43-meter high zipline where you can glide down to Dunsulan Falls, and take a dip at its refreshing natural pool. There is also an adjacent six-stage Tree Hopping Adventure team building facility where you can move from one tree to the next through ropes.

Pit Stop 3: Mariveles. About an hour drive down you to this town famed for its scenic but challenging zigzag road, which bikers monikered as the so-called “killer loop” because of its steep terrain. The meandering highway winds at the town proper, the Km 0 of the infamous Bataan Death March where tens of thousands of prisoners of war were forced to walk to their prison camp in Tarlac.

Situated at the foot of Mt. Mariveles, the town’s core is the Freeport Area of Bataan, an industrial and tourism enclave in the southern peninsula which houses manufacturers of signature goods. At a hilltop is The Oriental Bataan, the area’s luxe stomping ground for business travelers and staycationers. Known in the mid-1970s as the Bataan Hilltop Hotel designed by the late National Artist Leandro Locsin, the two-level circular hotel is a modern revival of a landmark structure.

The hotel boasts of an elliptical pool, a spa, Asian and Filipino specialties, and a seaview restaurant sought after for its live band, buffet grill dinner, bar, dancing staff and firedancers.

It also has adjunct adventure camp for team-building exercises, a convention center, and a high-end 173-unit dormitory for FAB executives and long-staying guests.

For outdoor recreation, Oriental can arrange picnics and butler-assisted excursions to Five Fingers cove, one of Bataan’s newest tourism sensations because of its fine sands, crystalline water, and rock formations for cliff-diving. Closer to home is Sisiman, a raw but charming pebble beach near a lighthouse and the 700-foot San Miguel rock mountain. A short drive away is Mariveles View Park which offers a majestic view of Corregidor Island, Mt. San Miguel, and rustic fishing communities along Manila Bay. Day tours to the upscale Camaya Coast, a partner beach resort, can also be arranged by the hotel.

After battling its winding roads, you’ll realize that there’s definitely more to nostalgia of a bygone war in Bataan.