Bataan is one of the provinces in Central Luzon. According to a historian named Cornelio Bascara, 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 that time, included Maragondon, Cavite across the Manila Bay.
The earliest inhabitants of Bataan are the Ayta Magbukon people, the first Negrito ancestors of present-day Filipinos.
Bataan is the History Hub of Central Luzon because it harbors vivid stories of the past. It is a peninsula embraced with stories of struggle, hope, and gallantry, the Filipino’s uncommon valor and love for freedom.
The most intense phase of the Japanese invasion of the Philippines during World War II happened in the province in the battle famously known as the Battle of Bataan.
The infamous Bataan Death March in 1942 started in the two municipalities of Bataan – Mariveles on April 10 and Bagac on April 11. American and Filipino prisoners of war were forced to march from Bataan to Capas, Tarlac until they died.
Araw ng Kagitingan, which falls every 9th day of April is a national observance in the Philippines commemorating the Defenders of Bataan.
The Diocese of Balanga has held its annual Diocesan Pilgrimage in Mount Samat since 2004 and is attended by thousands of young people from Bataan and different provinces in Luzon. The pilgrims walk about seven kilometers from the foot of Mt. Samat up to the World War II shrine on top of the mountain.
Mount Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan is a memorial shrine complex built to honor and remember the gallantry of Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. The height of the famous Memorial Cross is 95 m (312 ft) from the base and can be seen from Manila across the expanse of Manila Bay
The Sto. Domingo Church in Abucay, Bataan, is the oldest church in the province at 431 years old. It also has one minor basilica, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Orani, Bataan which is also one of the oldest churches in the province.
Four hundred years ago, the seed of the Catholic faith was planted in the peninsula by the Dominicans and the Recollects, nurtured since 1896 by a handful of Filipino priests. The Diocese of Balanga was canonically erected by Pope Paul VI on March 17, 1975, and the Most Rev. Celso N. Guevarra, DD was formally installed as its first bishop.
The provincial capital of Bataan is Balanga City. The municipality of Bagac is the largest in terms of land area, while the municipality of Mariveles has the largest population.
Francisco Baltazar (Balagtas), one of the greatest Filipino literary icons who wrote Florante at Laura, though born in Bigaa (Balagtas), Bulacan, spent his adult life and died in Orion, Bataan.
The unique Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan keeps us close to our culture and heritage, the teachings of our tradition, and a glimpse of our history. This first heritage hotel-resort was adjudged Best Historic Hotel in Asia and the Pacific by the 2021 Historic Hotels Annual Awards of Excellence.
The people of Bataan celebrate famous festivals in the province.
Pawikan Festival in Morong every last week of November or the first week of December recognizes the local community’s successes in its marine turtle conservation campaign. Here, baby pawikan which are hatched in the Pawikan Conservation Center are being released.
Ibong Dayo Festival is celebrated every February in the City of Balanga, to disseminate to the public the importance of wetland conservation to migratory birds.
The Banga Festival in Balanga City, Bataan, is celebrated to remind the Balangueños of their humble beginnings. It is said that the name Balanga came from the word “banga,” the tagalog term for pot used in cooking. The festival is celebrated alongside the feast of St. Joseph on April 28.
Bataan has a so-called Killer Loop which is a mythically knotted and twisted mountain bike route perfect for bikers who are looking for extreme adventures. A mountain bike circuit race competition called “Padyakan sa Bataan” aims to revive patriotism and instill the importance that the province played during World War II.
Galing Bataan offers the best and most unique products in the province which are ideal gifts for your loved ones. From souvenir items, foods, t-shirts, and home decor, they have it for you.
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