Bataan is one of the historic places in the Philippines, for it plays a great role in the World War 2 and the infamous 200km death march. It is located in the southwestern part of Central Luzon which faces the South China Sea and forms part of the enclosure of Manila Bay to the east. You can reach this province by driving 2-3 hours from Manila.

I stayed in Bataan for a few weeks to supervise a project in an oil refinery. Roaming around the city made me create a list of 5 towns you must visit in the province of Bataan:

1. CITY OF BALANGA

Balanga is the capital city and is the educational center of the province of Bataan. It was inaugurated as a city last December 2000.

The church was used by the Japanese Army as an artillery emplacement to bombard thousands of Filipino and American troops in Mt. Samat during the World War II.

Balanga is also the center for nightlife in Bataan. It offers a wide variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, so you will likely find pretty much you are looking for with regards to night life in Bataan.

Where to eat:

Nico’s Terrace Grill is a perfect place to chill with your friends and listen to some good live music. They also serve appetizing and exotic food such as Tapang Kabayo which is a must try! It is located along the Capitol Drive and is open every Mondays to Saturdays between 5:00pm – 1:00am.

And if you have so much energy and want to dance all night, Razz Bar and Grill is the place. What I like about this bar is that you can dance on LED dance floors while a local band is playing a live music. They serve good food as well. Razz Bar and Grill is located at Calero St. in Balanga City.

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2. PILAR

Every time I travel, I always take a nap to make time go faster and I guess it was a perfect timing when I suddenly woke up and gaze upon the car window to check where we at, we were passing by this mountain with a big cross on top and I told myself that I’m going to be on top of that mountain and see the cross.

Underneath that structure is a small museum where you could find some items and photographs of the Philippines during the World War 2.

The Dambana ng Kagitingan (The Shrine of Valor) was built to honor and remember the courageous act of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War 2. The cross is about 300ft  high and is made of marble, concrete and steel. It has an elevator (with a fee of P10.00) that will lift you up to the viewing gallery at the arms of the cross.

We chose to walk down the mountain using the vehicle road, because the view is just spectacular.

Visiting hours in Mt. Samat is only until 5:00pm. The drop off point to Mt. Samat is at Pilar crossing, you could take a tricycle or hike going up the mountain.

Located at the other side of Mt. Samat is the Dunsulan Falls. It is open to the public with a certain amount of fee to be paid (P45.00 as of February 2015).

People usually just have a picnic under these green trees and the just listen to the relaxing sound of flowing water from the falls.

They also offer an activity called the “Tree Hopping Challenge” it has 6 different levels of challenges.  Beat this challenge by paying a fee of only P300.00!

 Where to eat:

Lingling Garden Restaurant is a hidden food haven in Pilar. I like how they have used separate nipa huts instead of tables where you can eat while having privacy at the same time. I’ve tried one of their house specialties, Ginataan Adobong Bibe. The duck meat has a juicy appealing taste in spite of its dry appearance. It is located at Sta. Rosa Village in Pilar.

Pilar Crossing Food House is everyone’s favorite for its wide variety of Filipino foods at a very cheap price. It is located at the Pilar crossing, the drop off point to Mt. Samat.

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3. BAGAC

Located in Brgy. Pagasa is the long stretch Bagac Beach. It is also where the famous Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar is located. Since were on a tight budget we just went to a cheaper accommodation beside the Las Casas, same beach anyways.

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 4. LIMAY

It was truly a privilege to supervise a project on one of the largest oil and gas corporation in the Philippines, Petron Corporation. The refinery covers the second half of Limay and extends up to Mariveles. The refinery looks stunning during night time but what is more stunning for me to know is the basic process of refining a gas to different kinds of fuel.

Where to eat:

Meksi Café is known for most Petron employees for it is located in front of the refinery along the highway.  I usually eat here whenever I feel exhausted from work. It has a relaxing ambiance, good food, nice coffee and tea.

And if I am in a tight budget I eat at Lola Channing’s. It is one the oldest restaurant in Limay. They serve good local Filipino foods and I feel at home whenever I eat here.

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 5. MARIVELES

Mariveles is located at the southernmost part of Bataan. Before I head back to my hometown, I went to Mariveles just to visit the Bataan death march zero km post and nothing else because all I think about Mariveles was nothing but plain lands and rice fields, not until I reached Barangay Sisiman.

It was so exciting to count the km posts in descending order until you reach the zero kilometer.

And when I reached the end of Brgy. Sisiman, I saw these..

With the gorgeous sunset, unique rock formation and the relaxing sound of beach waves, Mariveles is my favorite town in Bataan, it’s natural simplicity just makes it beautiful.