Mount Samat National Shrine of Dambana ng Kagitingan (SHRINE OF VALOUR) is a historical shrine located near the summit of mount samat in the town of pilar, province of bataan, in the republic of the philippines. The memorial shrine complex was built to honor and remember the gallantry of pilipino and american soldiers who fought during world war ll. Consisting of a colonnade and the large memorial cross, the park was commissioned in 1966 by then-President Ferdinand E. 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. The shrine complex also includes a war museum with a wide array of collections from paintings of the philippine heroes, to armaments used by the pilipino, american and japanese forces during the battle. From the colonnade and the cross, there is a panoramic view of bataan, corregidor island and a clear day, the city of manila situated about 50 km (31 mi) a cross manila bay. History: 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. Suffering heavy losses against the japanese all over luzon. Filipino and american soldiers retreated to bataan peninsula to regroup for a last valiant but futile stand. This retreat to bataan is part of united state strategy known as war plan orange. 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 april 9 1942. it is the single largest surrender of US soldiers of history. Together with the philippine soldier, 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. The memorial shrine complex was started with the laying of the cornerstone by President Ferdinad E. Marcos on april 14,1966. Due to lack of funds, construction was unfinished for the 25th anniversary of the fall of bataan in 1967. The shrine was completed and inugurated in 1970. in the 25th anniversary of the end of World War ll. Architectural features located in an area approximately 73,665 hectares (182,030 acres). The park consists of the colonnade and at the mountains peak the memorial cross. The shrine was designed by Lorenzo Del Castillo and landscaped by Dolly Quimbo-Perez. Colonnade from the parking lot, a wide three series of steps that narrows to the top lead visitors to the flagpole that hold the flag of the philippines. The last series of steps to the colonnade level are boredered on the sides by the pedestal topped with bronze urns symbolising the eternal flame. The colonnade is a marble-clad structure surrounded by an esplaned, itself surrounded by marble-clad parapets. The outer side is covered with 19 high relief sculptures by national artist Napoleon Abueva, and alternates depictions of the war with bronze insignia of USAFFE division units by Talleres De Maximo Vicente, Leonides Valdez, and Angel Sampra and Sons. Each bronze insigma has a flagstaff for the flags of each division. in the centre of the colonnade is the altar, behind which are three religious stained glads murals designed by Cenon Rivera and executed by Vetrate Darte Giuliani of rome, italy. Four large bronze chandeliers hang from the ceiling, while inscribed in marble on the two lateral walls is a narrative of the Battle of Bataan. A footpath that leads to the base of the memorial cross begins behind the colonnade. The 14-flight, zig-zagging path on the mountain slope is paved with bloodstones from corregidor island. an alternate road also takes visitors to the base of the memorial cross. Memorial Cross The memorial cross is a towering structure at the highest point of mount samat, 555 m above sea level. The monument is made of steel and reinforced concrete with a lift and viewing gallery at the crosss arms. A staircase also leads to the gallery in the wings. The height of the cross is 92 m from the base; the height of the arms is 74 m from the base, with each arm measuring 30 m (15 on each side). The viewing gallery is 5.5 m by 27.4 m with a 2.1 m clearance. The exterrior of the cross is finished with chipped granolithic marble. The base until the 11 m is capped with sculpture slabs and relief. Title nabiag nga bato also by Abueva, depicting important historical figures and events like the execution of jose rizal, lapu-lapu and antonio luna. Lication The shrine complex is part of barangay diwa in pilar, bataan. From manila, the complex can be reached via the north luzon expressway (balintawak cloverleaf) and the SCTEX exit in mabalacat, pampanga which leads to the subic-clark-tarlac expressway. Follow the signs to subic, and exit at highway. upon reaching the mt. samat junction after about 24 km turn right. After about 4.5 km towards mt. samat to the left is a 6.5 km uphill road to the shrine. BBM 2016... MARCOS FOREVER!!!
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 10:10:35 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015