Mt. Samat cross at Pilar, Bataan | Dambana ng Kagitingan

One of our side trips in our recent Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar escapade is visiting this towering cross-shaped structure on top of a mountain. Imagine, going up at a tower on top of a mountain.. sounds crazy right? lol. Well, it even holds a number of surprises when you visit the place in person. So let's not waste time and discover more about the secrets of this place.

Mt. Samat cross

First, let's analyze its name in detail. Mt. Samat cross is this huge cross structure on the photo above. The structure is located at the summit of Mt. Samat which is located at Pilar, Bataan.

Going here can be tricky but waze-able. You just need to turn at the right spot then it's straight forward going up. I was the one driving our car when we went here and from the foot of the mountain, it's still like a 30-minute uphill drive before reaching its entrance. As a friendly reminder, the uphill drive can really be dangerous as not only that it's very steep but the curves are literally U-turns as well so make sure to drive safely.

There will be some minimal entrance fee of P20 per person (+P10 each for the elevator ride, ONLY if you are going up the observatory floor which is located at the wing/horizontal part of the cross). There will also be another P20 parking fee if you are going there with a private car. And just as you get off it.. The view is already worth it! 

view at Mt. Samat cross

TIP: There will be a huge parking area just right after the entrance but if you guys are going with adults who are having a hard time going up the stairs, go furthermore as the road will take you to a higher ground lessening the use of stairs. It should take you right in this area below with this view.

Mt Samat stair entrance

My initial impression of the place was just simply a cross-shaped building that has a great viewing deck. Well, surprise surprise.. It has a huge spacious park with great features. Its actually called Mt. Samat shrine or locally called "Dambana ng Kagitingan", "Shrine of Valor" in English.

Mt. Samat shrine

It actually commemorates the Filipino and American soldiers who fought the Japanese army during World War II. You can read more of it here by reading them on the walls just like us in this picture below.

history on the walls of the shrine

If you are to ask if there are Instagram-worthy spots here.. Yes, there are. Aside from its over-looking views and areas, the shrine itself is a great place to strike those poses. Well, aside from those giant pillars of marble, the altar of valor can be a subject.

altar of Valor

Well, the back of it to be specific. hehe.

Go muning!

The place's vibe is quite relaxing making it a perfect side trip for this escapade of ours. Aside from some replica of machine guns and a covered stage in the vicinity, you may now start climbing more stairs all the way to the foot of the cross before reaching its viewing deck via an elevator.

more stairs to the cross

Unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury of time to go up the deck as we arrived there a few minutes before closing. I actually still can if I will push it but since the whole clan will be waiting for me solely and with the adults' limitation as per their knees, I settled on where we were. Besides, it's a great reason to go back right?

So with these, let me share with you this video of ours exploring the place.

If you cannot see the video above, click HERE for it

P.S. I will update this blog/vlog when the next opportunity comes to experience its viewing deck.