Dambana ng Kagitingan: a Scenic Memorial

Just a few minutes away by drive from Las Casas de Filipinas de Acuzar is the Dambana ng Kagitingan or the Shrine of Valor. This is a scenic memorial built to honor the Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Japanese Invasion of the Philippines during World War II. Its entrance is located along the same highway going to or from between Las Casas and Manila, making it a perfect place for a side trip. Located at Mount Samat in Pilar, Bataan, this shrine is best for military enthusiasts and for those who are interested in World War II.

The Historical Significance of the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor)

A US colony then, the Philippines, and the US itself were caught unprepared when the Japanese Imperial Army began its attack on the Philippines in December of 1941. The Philippines and the US were complacent and preoccupied with other political agendas years prior to the attack that as a result, defense plans were neglected despite the already increasing aggression of the Japanese Imperial Army against other surrounding Far and South East Asian nations. The situation was made worse when Japan suddenly and strategically bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, consequently crippling any chance of possible military aid to the Philippines. This then made it easy for Imperial Japan to defeat the US and Filipino armies in the island. And only a month into the war, by January 1942, from peripheral military bases around Luzon, most Filipino and American soldiers retreated to the Bataan Peninsula. And there, the last stand against the Japanese forces happened. It is now known as the Battle of Bataan.

The Battle of Bataan was fierce and lasted several months. Due to lack of military supplies and health aid, in May 1942, the Filipino and American forces finally surrendered. The infamous Bataan Death March then followed and around 76,000 Filipino and American soldiers became prisoners of war. The fallen soldiers further suffered through a combination of illnesses and Japanese brutality. By the end of the Bataan Death March, thousands of Filipino and American soldiers have died and only 55,000 soldiers were left alive.

To honor the soldiers who sacrificed during the Battle of Bataan and the Bataan Death March, this memorial complex was built. The Dambana ng Kagitingan, Shrine of Valor, serves as a scenic place of remembrance.

The Memorial Complex at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor)

The Memorial Complex consists of a marble colonnade, a war museum, and a memorial cross. 

In the colonnade, a brief history on the Battle of Bataan are engraved on the marble walls while 3 large stained glass murals stands serving as a backdrop to an altar stand.

At the side of the colonnade is the War Museum, a basement that displays some of the armaments, uniforms, military equipment, and weapons used by the Filipino, American, and even Japanese soldiers during the war.

The Memorial Cross at this site is the second tallest cross in the world made of steel and concrete. It holds an elevator, stairs, and a viewing gallery within. I personally did not get to see the top because the elevator was not working during our visit in 2022. But my relatives who have gone up the cross before, highly recommend the experience. Then at the base of the cross is the sculptural slabs that show some important Philippine historical events and figures. The towering cross itself is a part of the scenic experience at the Dambana ng Kagitingan.

The Scenic Memorial of Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor)

If history does not interest you, you will, at the very least, appreciate the scenic view at the Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor). Being situated 555 meters above sea level at Mount Samat, this shrine offers a panoramic view that stretches from Bataan province all the way to the Corregidor island and the Manila Bay. It’s a perfect place to take a breather.