Budget Trip of a Solo Female Traveler to Bataan

On the night before the expected releasing of results, I planned a solo trip to Bataan. It is my way of escaping whatever news will arrive on that day.

At 8:00 am, I was on my way to Cubao to catch the bus bound for Balanga. I was planning to ride the 9 o'clock bus, however, my travel companion a.k.a. Google Maps, gave me the wrong directions. When I arrived at the Five Star Bus Terminal, the bus already left. Thus, I have to wait until 10 am for the next bus to leave. Good thing there was wireless-fidelity connection to keep me entertained and also, the movies shown in the television.

                                      First passenger to aboard en route to Balanga, Bataan

     At 11am, we arrived at Robinson's San Fernando and after another 1 and a half hours, I already found myself setting foot at Balanga Bus Terminal. I then hired a tricycle to get me to Balanga Church. Actually, it is very near from the terminal, maybe 1km away but I opt to get a trike because of the hear and time-constraint.

Facade of Balanga Church taken from across the street

                                                           Historical marker of the church

At the read end of the church where the statues of the saints are found

Across the church is the city plaza. Here, you'll find the City Hall, a hotel and a shopping mall.

                                                                The Plaza Hotel

Balanga City Hall

Awesome architecture of Robinson's Balanga

After taking a few photos, I waited for a bus/jeep bound for Brgy. Diwa, Pilar where the Dambana ng Kagitingan is found. Since I don't know the route that I should take, I asked a local and he told me that I should go back to the terminal and ride the jeepney bound for Cabog-cabog. I alighted the jeep and got off at the intersection going to Mt. Samat.

Signage to Mt. Samat at Brgy. Diwa intersection

Upon reaching the intersection, you'll find a group of tricycle drivers that would take you up to Mt. Samat. Try to haggle for your fare first since they usually overcharge the tourists. In my case, they even made up stories that its been 3 days since their last passenger. However, when I made it to the Mt. Samat, the security personnel was teasing my driver for having 3 customers that day. Ugh. Liar, liar, pants on fire.

Selfie while riding the trike

My driver dropped me at the foot of the cross and told me that he'll wait at the entrance of the shrine after.

Here's a few information about Mt. Samat/Dambana ng Kagitingan:

"The memorial shrine complex was built to honor and remember the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II.

The park was commissioned in 1966 by then-President Ferdinand Marcos, himself a War Veteran, for the 25th Anniversary of WW2. The white Memorial Cross stands as a remembrance to the soldiers who fought and lost their lives in the Battle of Bataan.

Along with the fortified island of Corregidor, Mount Samat was the site of the most vicious battle against the Japanese Imperial Army in 1942 during the Battle of Bataan. 

Bataan fell after three months of fighting when 78,000 exhausted, sick and starving men under Major General Edward P. King surrendered to the Japanese on 9 April 1942. It is the single largest surrender of U.S. soldiers in history. 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 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." (Wikipedia)

The 92-meter high cross

 At the transverse section of the cross is a viewing deck. It is accessible by a 6-person capacity elevator.

The circular staircase that used to be the access to the viewing deck

I'm lucky! I was the only passenger, aside from the operator, 

inside the claustrophobia-developing elevator

Tourist mode: ON!

The viewing gallery

I think I wore the wrong clothes as the wind was blowing very hard at the viewing gallery. Baguio City feels! 

Views seen from the gallery

After 20 minutes of enjoying the cold breeze, I then trekked towards the museum.

The museum as seen in the walkway from the cross

I suggest that you start touring from the cross then down to the museum. Most tourists are starting exploring the museum and would have to endure the long and tiring trek up to the cross.

Canyons and guns found on the shrine's grounds

I then explored the museum which is located on the left side on the colonnade. No photography is allowed inside the museum. There were relics, a big map and photos depicting the story pertaining to the fall of Bataan.

Students on their field trip

Stained glass murals at the back of the altar

Information about the Mt. Samat Nat'l. Shrine

 My phone went off and the sun was starting to set already so I decided to go back to Balanga City. I took a jeep with a Cabog-cabog signage and I was dropped at the terminal. I thought the bus back to Manila was also located there but when I asked the locals, I have to walk for a few meters to get to Bataan Transit or Genesis Bus Terminal. Went to 7-11 for a while to buy some food then alighted the Genesis Bus bound for Manila. I had fun exploring this city. I just hope that the local government would promote their tourism and would make the place more tourist-friendly.

COST AND EXPENSES:

Cubao to Balanga:                                P200
Terminal to Balanga Church:                P10
Balanga Church to Terminal:                P10
Terminal to Brgy. Diwa intersection:     P19
Trike to Dambana ng Kagitingan:         P350
Entrance fee:                                        P10
Brgy. Diwa to terminal:                         P19
Balanga to Cubao:                               P200
                                                                 
TOTAL EXPENSES:                            P818