he provinces of Zambales and Pampanga form common boundaries to the

north. About 80% of Bataan is mountainous or hilly with Mount Mariveles and
Mount Natib dominating the interior. Most of the agricultural portion of Bataan
is in the north and east. The province experiences two pronounced seasons;
dry from November until April and the wet from May to October. During World
War II it was the scene of heavy fighting between Allied and Japanese forces
from January 6, 1942, to April 9, 1942. Bataan fell to Japan on April 9 and was
retaken by an American force on February 17, 1945.

HISTORY

Several villages in the coastal plains of Bataan were already thriving

communities when Spanish missionaries found them in the 1570s. Bataan,
then known as Vatan, was part of the vast Capampangan Empire that
included what now are the provinces of Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and
some portions of Bulacan, Zambales and Pangasinan, These coastal villages
were inhabited by natives who were predominantly fishermen, farmers and
craftsmen. Meanwhile, the hillsides were inhabited by nomadic Aeta tribes.

Bataan was established in 1754 by Governor General Pedro Manuel Arandia.

Before this, the region was divided into two parts: the Corregimiento of
Mariveles and the Province of Pampanga. The towns of Mariveles, Bagac,
Morong and Maragondon, Cavite comprised the Corregimiento of Mariveles
that was under the jurisdiction of the Recollect Order of the Roman Catholic
Church. The province of Pampanga included the towns of Orion, Pilar,
Balanga, Abucay, Samal, Orani, Llana Hermosa and San Juan de
Dinalupihan. The latter group was under the charge of the Dominican Order.
Limay, the twelfth town of Bataan, was named only in 1917.

Long before the outbreak of Word War II, Bataan already earned herself a
secure place in the history of the Philippines. The prince of Filipino printers,
Tomas Pinpin, a native of Abucay, who either authored or co-authored some
of the oldest books in the Philippines and printed them himself between 1610
to 1639 in the printing press located inside the Abucay Catholic Church. In
1647, the plundering Dutch Naval forces were resisted in Bataan, the
defenders ultimately chose the glory of death to the ignominy of surrender.

Bataan was among the first provinces to rise in revolt against Spanish
tyranny. Two of her sons, Pablo Tecson and Tomas del Rosario, figured
prominently in the Malolos Convention in 1898, and were instrumental in
ensuring that the Filipinos enjoyed religious freedom. Cayetano Arellano of
Orion became the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Revolutionary
Government, and later on became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court.

When the Pacific War broke out in 1941, the selection of the peninsula as the
locale of the last defensive stand by the USAFFE against the invading
Japanese forces brought fame and infamy to Bataan. The loss of life and
property cannot be estimated. Bataan then became the symbol of valor and
tenacity in its hopeless stand against the much superior invading Japanese
Imperial Forces. Today, a national landmark called the Shrine of Valor
(Dambana ng Kagitingan) stands majestically on top of the Mt. Samat in Pilar
as testimony to the gallantry and sacrifices of the men and women who with
their blood, tears, and sweat made the grounds of Bataan hallow. CULTURE

Most of the 424,000 people living in Bataan are Tagalogs. Kapampangans

comprise a significant minority of less than 10% and are concentrated in the
municipalities adjoining the province of Pampanga. Recent rapid
industrialization has lured thousands of people from other provinces to settle
within Bataan.

The province of Bataan has always been linked closely to the culture and
economy of Manila. Much of what the province produces is exported to
Manila. The primary traditional industry of Bataan is fishing. It is the home of
thousands of fishermen whose industry has spawned a unique craft of net and
fishtrap making. Nets produced in Bataan take on various forms and shapes
like the panli, kalukutok, pambonot, pansiliw, panitig, mananacag hipon,
panglusong, hila-hila, kitang, pangapak, bintol, salambaw, dala, bating,
pangalabaw and the gulgureta. 
Each net type responds to various needs and uses. There are also various
fishtraps like the saluhin, paclang, aguila, panghipon and pangalalo.

The province exports the excess of its fish catch and the town of Orion is
famous for its tuyo (dried fish). Orani used to have large tracts of nipa groves,
which used to produce a native beverage called tuba. Tuba is still produced
but in smaller quantities and primarily for local consumption. POINTS OF
INTEREST

First Line of Defense Marker (Dinalupihan) - Marks the first strong line of
defense of combined Phil. and USAFFE troops against the Japanese invasion
during World War II.

Fall of Bataan Marker (Balanga) - This commemorates the fall of Bataan, in

memory of war veterans, living and dead. The marker symbolizes the courage
and the enduring commitment of a Filipino soldier to his country.

Surrender Site Marker (Balanga) - Marks the spot where the grim surrender of
Bataan and Corregidor was signed by Maj. Gen. Edward King Jr., on April 9,
1942. Surrender marker can be found within the compound of Balanga
Elementary School.

Democracy Marker - Situated at the provincial boundary between Pampanga

and Bataan which depicts the role of Bataan in the fight for freedom for the
preservation of democracy.

Death March Marker (Orani) - The folk arts statue commemorating the defiant
spirit of Bataan, where Death march marches passed on their way to the
prison camp.

Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) Pilar - Natural shrine atop Mt.

Samat which immortalizes the agony of the Filipino and Americans against the
forces of aggression and articulates the Commitment of the Filipino people to
freedom and dignity. Tomas Pinpin Monument - In memory of first Filipino
printer. It was in Abucay church where Tomas Pinpin co-authored and printed
the earliest books in the country with Fr. Blancas de San Jose in 1610

Mt. Samat - Was the scene of the most heroic defensive battle during World
War II.

First Abucay Catholic Church - On this site a fierce battle between the Dutch
and the natives together with defenders took place in June 23, 1647. The
church is one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. It housed the first
printing press in the country which outdated any single press in the US

Mt. Malasimbo - A cinica-shaped mountain cinsidered as a weather forcasting

device predicting a coming typhoon when its summit is covered with dark
clouds.

The Main Battle Position (Abucay Town) - The battle possition of the
USAFFE, known officially as the Abucay -Morong Line, under the War Plan
Orange 3. The then second Lieutenant Alexander R. Miniger, Jr., 57th Infantry
(PS) Gainsville, Georgia was posthumously decorated the Congressional
Medal for an action on this line 12 January 1942, and became the first
America's highest military decoration.

Abucay Municipal Building - A historic relic of one of the largest town of

Bataan.

Bankal Settlement -A newly created barangay where the Actas still maintain
their traditional customs and usages in accordance with our cultural heritage.

Battle of Toul Pocket Marker (Bagac) - Marks the significant pockers where a
battle ensued as a prelude to the final defense in Bataan. The series of fights
to eliminate the Japanese forces known as the Battle of Pockets fought from
Jan 27 to Feb. 17.

Sibul Spring - A tourist potential with sulfuric swimming pool and wide area for
outdoor recreation.
Pasukulan Falls - A natural wonder at the valley of Mt. Natib which has fresh
vegetation and unexplored area.

Bagak Town - Zero Kilometer Marker. The start of the infamous Death March
that also marks the beginning of Japanese control over the nation.

Maria Canon Statue - This tower was erected for the repose of many dead
souls in the Philippines during World War 2 by the Mie-ken Daiichi Shueesec
of the Japanese Sohtohshuh Spot, September 1978.

Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower - This symbolizes that after a war, there is

a period of reconciliation, peace and friendship.

Kaytibong Falls - This natural waterfalls remains to be developed.

Roosevelt National Park - A forest reservation ideal for outdoor adventures

and Boy Scout Camporal area with facilities for irrigation and game hunting.

Catholic Church Belfry - This was used as a site for Japanese artillery
bombardment of Mt. Samat where both Filipino and American Forces gave
their last stand.

Lamao World War II Marker - World War II exempted almost no place in the
province that this town overlooking Manila Bay and Corregidor deserves a
marker.

Alangan River - In Bataan every place is a place to go. No small creek or river
is without a tint of history and of practical value.

BEPZA - The Bataan export Processing Zone Authority is the site of many
foreign based factories and companies producing items ranging from dolls to
automobiles for export.

Flaming Sword - A symbol of the Filipino courage and gallantry in the face of
external threats to the nation's democracy and peace
Final Battle Site Marker - To remember the coutage and heroism of Bataan
defenders amidst hunger, sickness and death.

Battle of Trail 2 (Capot Hill) - A point where several men died in defense of
freedom and democracy.

Dunsulan Falls - Ideal site for pocnics and inland swimming.

U.N. Refuge Center - Located in Morong Town. A temporary resettlement

area and processing center for Indo-Chinese refugees migrating to European,
American and Facific countries.

Nuclear Power Plant - The country's first controversial commercial nuclear

power plant with a capacity of 620 megawatts.

Cayetano Arellano Marker - Located on Orion Town. This marks Orion, as the
birthplace of the first Filipino Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Francisco Balagtas Monument - In honor of the great Filipino poet and patriot,
this monument was erected.

Sitio Diwa - A full-pledged barangay but a glorious example of a small village

which answered the call for the united defense against foreign aggressors.
(From Tambayanet)