Philippine History in World War 2 Era

What people love about summer in the Philippines are the islands and pristine beaches. But as a Filipino, it is a humbling experience to go back in time and reminisce the rich historical culture of the country and the heroic courage of the Filipino revolutionists. This May, I went on a time-travel to the Philippine history in World War 2 era at Bataan and Tarlac.


Philippine History in World War 2 at Mount Samat, Bataan

The famous Memorial Cross in Mt. Samat Shrine in Bataan is built in honor of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought and died during the World War II. The Shrine was conceived by President Ferdinand Marcos and was inaugurated in 1970, in time for the 25^th anniversary of the end of the World War II.

The Cross is 92-meter high from the base with the arm 30-meter long on both sides.

At the base of the Cross is the “Nagbiag na Bato” - sculptures depicting historical events made by National Artist Napoleon Abueva.

Visible from the top of Mt. Samat are nearby towns and mountains that used to be battlegrounds and hideouts of the soldiers.

Bataan was the battleground of the Filipino and American soldiers against the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II. On these lands and mountains, Filipinos and American soldiers suffered hunger, thirst, malnutrition, and loss against the Japanese soldiers.

History buffs and locals share different versions how the Filipino and American soldiers suffered against the Japanese. Our historian/guide shared a story about how the Filipinos were able to fight amidst extreme hunger and thirst. They were infuriated about the news that the Japanese soldiers killed one woman visitor from Manila.

I have this special thing about wooden doors. For me, wooden doors symbolize old memories, history, and strength. This door at one side of the base of the Cross leads to the elevator going to the viewing gallery at the arms of the cross. From the 30-meter long gallery is the stunning view of the Bataan Peninsula, Manila Bay, and Corregidor Island.

 

At the Shrine Complex is a footpath of bloodstones from the Corregidor Island. These stones were stained with the soldiers’ blood during the fight.

The esplanade made with tiles forming letter “M” which means “Marcos” who initiated the construction of Mount Samat National Shrine. Aside from esplanade, this Colonnade has an altar, 2 bronze urns, 18 flag poles, and an underground museum.

The Altar. Since Mt. Samat is a Shrine, visitors must observe proper decorum while in the place. No ridiculous selfies and observe silence please. 

The wall telling the story of the Battle of Bataan

At the base of the Colonnade is a museum of  the World War II in the Philippines and the Battle of Bataan. 

When the Japanese won against the Filipinos and American soldiers, they imposed rules to be followed by the Filipinos. Examples of the rules are: giving salute to the Japanese soldiers, wearing sun-rise arm band on the left arm, and having certificate of residence.

 

How women suffered under the Japanese rule.

Philippine History in World War 2 at Capas National Shrine

The Capas National Shrine was established during the Presidency of Fidel V. Ramos to commemorate the valiance of the WWII soldiers who were part of the Death March. It was initially the Camp O’Donnel in 1940 where the Filipino youth were trained for the military. After the “Fall of Bataan”, it was transformed by the Japanese soldiers into a concentration camp for Filipino and American soldiers who surrendered. 

Wall of Heroes. The names of some of the 30,000 Filipino soldiers were carved in this black granite wall. 

This is the original boxed car used to transport Filipino and American prisoners of war from San Fernando, Pampanga to the prison camps in Capas, Tarlac. They survived the Death March and they were forced to walk from Mariveles and Bagac, Bataan, then they were loaded into the boxed cars.

The Japanese soldiers allowed the civilians in Tarlac and Pampanga to throw food to the POW trains. 

Memorial crosses to commemorate American soldiers who died away from home and Filipino civilians for their acts of courage and compassion towards the Filipino-American prisoners of war. 

Words are not enough to describe the suffering and bravery of Filipinos during the 2nd World War. The Mount Samat Shrine and Capas National Shrine were established to revisit the fall of the Filipinos when they lost against the Japanese soldiers. The Fall of Bataan, however, does not depict shame of lost but a battle full of gallantry and heroism. It is one of the many battles that prove the bravery and patriotism of the Filipinos. It is one of the times when Filipinos unite to fight for freedom. 

More facts on the history of the Philippines during the World War II at the Philippine Archives Collection of the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO). Special thanks to PVAO for this meaningful time-travel.

Eve

I think I shall never live

Life as sweet as an eve

An eve that sets the day’s suffer

As noise, the silence conquers

An eve that may in summer arrive

Hush of wind makes ocean so alive

An eve that praises God all night

And raises its silence so right

Life brings problems to sillies like me

But only God gives hope for you and me

Found an old note where this poem was written by the 14-year old me. I was probably so inspired by Joyce Kilmer <3

Photo taken on the summer of 2017 at Saranggani, Philippines.

Gen San Fun - Traveling to General Santos City / Mindanao

General Santos City is one of the major cities in Mindanao. But despite the beautiful waterfalls, scuba diving sites, rugged mountain ranges, and beaches, why is General Santos City, Mindanao generally, still off the tourism grid?

Mindanao is often tagged for red light travel alerts. That is why many travelers hesitate to come here. Even we had hesitations but why not give this humble part of the country a chance?

We set foot in General Santos, the land of the freshest tuna and world boxing champion, Manny Pacquiao. GenSan is part of SOKSARGEN (South Cotabato, Cotabato Province, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos). Despite our fear, people here are friendly too. It is a humbling experience to meet the locals. We felt their warmth. Tricycle drivers are very hard working and willing get out of their way to bring us to our destination. 

Friendly, hard-working tricycles drivers. Talk to them in Tagalog, they answer back in Bisaya. Talk to the them in Tagalog again, they still answer back in Bisaya. Try your luck but they just love their language. Use context clues or pretend that you understand if you want to blend in.

Tricycles can accommodate up to 6 passengers but most of them have only 2 passengers. The fare downtown is P10.

There are many malls in Gen San. One of them is SM that is situated just in front of our hotel. General Santos City is considered a shopping haven for people in nearby provinces because of these shopping centers. 

General Santos Public Park is very cool because of the trees and the free wifi connection. 

Greenleaf Hotel is a four-star hotel with very cozy rooms equipped for business travel, except for inconsistent wifi connection. It is good for family stays too.

Tiongson Arcade in Lagao is an array of affordable fresh sea foods. It is a family-friendly place for dining or having good times with friends. Two city girls went here at 7pm by tricycle and went back to hotel at 8:30; it was pretty safe. 

You can choose from wide array of fresh sea foods. But don’t forget their most famous seafood, the tuna. 

Tuna Capital of the Philippines. General Santos City exports tuna worldwide. Witness the fish trade in action and gigantic tunas in the fish port complex along the Sarangani Bay. 

The guys are friendly and make way for us to take pictures. They are all camera shy though. 

The fish port complex

The most daring part in this travel is when we went to Lemlunay Resort in Maasim, Sarangani by commute. The hotel failed to pick us up in the city so we had to go there by taking public transportation – tricycle and van. 

We passed by the Sultan Kudarat coastal road and lost phone signal. I got scared, honestly, but the locals are kind and the view was mesmerizing. Locals say this place is so lucky because it does not get hit by typhoon.

The basic rooms in Lemlunay Resort are disappointingly less than basic rooms – they are worn-out, secluded rooms. It was very quiet though and has better wifi connection than the Greenleaf Hotel. 

Our disappointment was compensated by the infinity pool overlooking the Sarangani Bay and Celebes Sea. It felt amazing to be at the edge of the Philippine map.

Scuba diving in Saranggani. The water is very clear but the corals are few. Divers say that many fish left the area when the power plant nearby was constructed.

Thought it was a sardine- or tuna- catching facility, but a power plant which was recently inaugurated. 

We decided to go back to Gen San so we searched for a cheap hotel. We found the  family-owned RSG Microtel which opened in January 2017. The owners picked us up, gave us treats, dropped us off to the airport, and even upgraded our room. We felt like a family to them.

Mindanao is very rich in natural wonders and living cultural heritage. The Asik Asik Falls, Lake Sebu, Mount Matutum, Tuka Marine Park, and more are just some of the hidden gems of this region, plus its rich cultural heritage that is still apparent and practiced today.

Just like traveling to other places, traveling to Mindanao requires respect to political, religious, and ideological beliefs. Travelers should be sensitive with the locals and appreciate the place and culture that is a huge part of the Filipino identity.