The first inhabitants of the Bataan peninsula are the Ayta Magbeken people, who are one of the first Negrito ancestors of present-day Filipinos. Later on, Tagalog communities from southern Luzon migrated to parts of Bataan and the Ayta Magbeken migrated towards the mountain areas of Bataan by the end of the 16th century.
Colonial PeriodIn 1647, Dutch naval forces landed in country in an attempt to seize the islands from Spain. The Dutch massacred the people of Abucay in Bataan.
Historian Cornelio Bascara documents that the province of Bataan was established on January 11, 1757 by Governor-General Pedro Manuel Arandia out of territories belonging to Pampanga and the corregimiento of Mariveles which, at the time, included Maragondon, Cavite across the Manila Bay.
World War IIMain article: Battle of Bataan Bataan featured prominently during World War II. Prior to the 1941 Japanese invasion, the US Army stored nearly 1,000,000 US gallons (3,800 m3) of gasoline there.
Shortly after the Japanese Army invaded the country in December 1941, the combined US and Filipino forces were being gradually overrun and General Douglas MacArthur moved his troops to the Bataan Peninsula in an attempt to hold out until a relief force could be sent from the US. Japanese forces started a siege of the peninsula on January 7, 1942, and launched an all-out assault on April 3, a few months after the Battle of the Points.
The majority of the American and Filipino forces surrendered on April 9 and were forced to march more than 100 kilometers (62 mi) from Bataan to Capas, Tarlac, which became known as the Bataan Death March.
The province has an area of 1,372.98 square kilometres (530.11 sq mi), and covers the entire Bataan Peninsula, a rocky extension of the Zambales Mountains jutting out into the South China Sea, enclosing the Manila Bay. At the northern portion of the peninsula is Mount Natib (elevation 1,253 metres (4,111 ft)) and its surrounding mountains, separated from Mount Samat and the Mariveles Mountains in the south by a pass.
A narrow coastline plain characterizes the eastern portion of the province, while the western coast features many ridges, cliffs and headlands.
The population of Bataan in the 2015 census was 760,650 people, with a density of 550 inhabitants per square kilometre or 1,400 inhabitants per square mile.
EthnicityThe three most prominent ethnic groups in Bataan are the Tagalogs, the Kapampangans and the Ayta Magbeken, though the third group has a lower population despite being the province's first inhabitants. The second group is mainly present at the northeast of the province, as well as in the provincial capital to a lesser extent.
ReligionVarious religious groups are subscribed to by the people but Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, comprising 85% of the Bataan population.[citation needed] Aglipayan, several other Christian faiths, Muslims, Anitists, animists, and atheists are the minority.
This should be your first stop in exploring the province. Bataan Tourism Center will provide you all the necessary information about attractions to visit, activities and also food to enjoy. This tourism information hub is open every day to cater the needs and answer the questions of every tourist.
This was also the first stop that we visited during our trip. We met there the staff of Bataan Tourism led by Ms. Paula Erika Gayeta and her team. We also witnessed the impressive showcase of the very best of what the province can offer. One thing that we truly enjoyed was their souvenir shop or the Pasalubong Center showcasing the province’s best delicacies, products and handicrafts.
Bataan World War II Museum
The place is actually located within the vicinity of Balanga Elementary School. So we passed through the school grounds until we reached the two story structure. The museum serves as a tribute to all Filipino and American soldiers who sacrificed their lives last World War II during the Fall of Bataan followed by the historical Bataan Death March.
Before we even entered the museum, Sir Alan Valbuena of Bataan Tourism showed us the “Surrender site marker,” a life-size statue of Major General Edward King during the time when he signed the document stating that they were surrendering the Philippines to Japan on April 9, 1942. In the museum, we were greeted by the staff and before we could even explore the memorabilia of the war inside, they let us watch a video first detailing the story of how Bataan has fallen to the hands of the Japanese invaders.
Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor
I remember we were about to visit the Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor during my press trip in Bataan last year with the Regional Tourism Office, but that didn’t push through. During that time, there was a huge event and people were all walking going to Mt. Samat and they didn’t allow vehicles. This time, finally I was able to visit this popular site in the province. It took us about 20 minutes of land travel before we arrived at the site. It was then that I realized that the cross was actually huge! And there are a lot of visitors during that time
Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor was built in 1970 as a memorial cross for the sacrifices and bravery of Filipinos who fought and perished during the World War II. There is actually an elevator inside this huge cross that would take you up for you to enjoy the 360 degree view of the Bataan Peninsula. It was a good way to enjoy the beauty of the province as well as to reflect and pay respect for the heroes of the past war. Location: Pilar, Bataan
Zero Kilometer Marker of Bataan Death March
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines recognized this site as a historical shrine to commemorate the bravery and sacrifices of our heroes during World War II. The marker is located under a tree on the lush Bermuda grass. Then at the back, there’s the flags of the Philippines and US.
In this same spot was the start of the Bataan Death March on April 10, 1942 where thousands of Filipino and American soldiers perished. This shrine is a way to pay respect for all of our heroes who sacrificed for our freedom against the Japanese invaders. Location: Ave of the Philippines, Mariveles, 2105 Bataan
Sisiman Lighthouse
We weren’t able to visit the picturesque Sisiman Lighthouse, but I’ve already visited the place during my travel to Five Fingers Cove a couple of years ago. Sisiman lighthouse is actually lightless after it was destroyed by typhoon Pedring in 2011 but it’s still a sight to behold especially during sunset.
Location: Sisiman-Agwawan Beach Rd, Mariveles, 2105 Bataan
Five Fingers Cove and Laki Beach
It was a couple of years ago when I traveled to Mariveles to visit the booming summer destination at that time – Five Fingers Cove and Laki Beach. The experience can not be considered as island hopping because there was no island separated from the mainland that we explored. We actually hopped from one cove to another. Five Fingers Cove name was actually derived from its look from the map. When you try to check Google Maps, the location is similar to fingers.
This is a total adventure and summer getaway. We explored beaches, cliffs and rock formations that it made me realized that hey, there is such a place like this in Mariveles? I was amazed by the natural charm and beauty.
Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar
It was our company team building. I was just a normal working dude then, never in my life have I imagined that I would be a travel blogger. Seriously. I remember I was amazed with those old structures, but my appreciation has no depth. I find the structures beautiful but my mind was not creative enough to appreciate its history. I’m glad that I’ve grown these past years. The most memorable for me at that first visit was all the good times I had with my workmates until we got drunk. I had those moments when in the middle of the night, I would look out the window and see some “guardia sibil” walking, or women in Filipiniana. Then, I had those split-second confusion, Did we travel back in time? Was that a ghost? Then the logical part of my brain would kick in, “Oh they’re the staff of Las Casas. After 5 years, I’m back at Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, as part of the travel writers invited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 3 for a press trip. And I can say that I am back as a grown person, better and matured, from a usual dude to a travel enthusiast and writer who appreciates and puts more value to culture and heritage.
It was our company team building. I was just a normal working dude then, never in my life have I imagined that I would be a travel blogger. Seriously. I remember I was amazed with those old structures, but my appreciation has no depth. I find the structures beautiful but my mind was not creative enough to appreciate its history. I’m glad that I’ve grown these past years.
The most memorable for me at that first visit was all the good times I had with my workmates until we got drunk. I had those moments when in the middle of the night, I would look out the window and see some “guardia sibil” walking, or women in Filipiniana. Then, I had those split-second confusion, Did we travel back in time? Was that a ghost? Then the logical part of my brain would kick in, “Oh they’re the staff of Las Casas. After 5 years, I’m back at Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar, as part of the travel writers invited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 3 for a press trip. And I can say that I am back as a grown person, better and matured, from a usual dude to a travel enthusiast and writer who appreciates and puts more value to culture and heritage.
Bataan National Park
After our breakfast, we traveled to Orani, Bataan for some nature trip. Bataan National Park is a protected area in the mountainous part of the province. It has a total of 23.6 hectares of thick forest and mountains encompassing Orani, Hermosa, Samal, Abucay, Balanga, Bagac and Morong. But during that time, we explored the part of Orani in which the viewing deck of the Bataan National Park is located. This is situated on top of the mountain! Some hikers just trek going there, but for us, we went there through a 4 x 4, and it was a lot of adventure! It was a bumpy ride going there but it was fun, and once we arrived, we were welcomed by this magnificent beauty of nature.
From the town of Morong Bataan is Montey's Buko Pie. A whole pie costs only 150 php. We found this cheaper than the more commercialize Buko Pie's from the south - Tagaytay and Laguna.
What we love about Montey's Buko Pie is that:
Busilak makes use of the all cashew by-products by making the cashew apple into Cashew Prunes. The Cashew Prunes have a nice chewy texture and not overly sweetened. This is a great alternative to candies. If we recall correctly, it is priced at 100 php per pack.
Dennis Ube De Leche Halaya
What makes Dennis Ube De Leche Halaya different from other Ube Halaya in the market is its silky smooth creaminess. Because they don't use preservatives, this spoils very quickly. Each spoonful is a massage to the tongue with an explosion of purple yam flavor making it difficult to stop yourself from consuming this.
Beakris Tamarind Balls
Not too sweet, not too sour with a mild chewiness that doesn't need extra effort to bite into, Beakris Tamarind Balls is another popular sweet treat in the area. A box costs around 90 php. Beakris from Orani Bataan also has other famous products such as their chocolate coated polvoron.
Cashew Nuts
We have tried several brands of Cashew Nuts and all of them have nearly the same quality and pricing.
Thus, choosing the brand is only based on your own preference. Good brands we tried are:
Although Ina Gloria also has Cashew Cookies, it is Ina Gloria's Dayap Cookies with a mellow citrusy flavor that impressed our taste buds. The texture of the cookies is crunchy with a powdery residue similar to Bataan's Arrow Root Cookies or Araro. A small pack costs around 35 php.