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| Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), Mt. Samat |
Towering 555 meters above sea level sitting at the highest peak of Mount Samat at Bagong Diwa, Pilar Bataan, at 92 meters high (with 30 meters arms) made of steel, reinforced concrete and marble, this majestic cross was erected in memory of the
gallant heroes, who with all the might that could still be possibly unearthed from their embattled bodies and worn out spirits, valiantly fought to protect the last bastion of freedom in our then war-torn country.
Eager to give us a glimpse of the spiritual uplift that he gets from being on mountain tops, Dane prepared us for a simulated adventure without the strains associated with mountain hiking. So, on February 27, 2011, a day after his birthday, he asked his Kuya to drive us all the way to the summit of Mount Samat. 
As DeeJ's Mica blue car swerved along the road paved in the midst of Mount Samat forest, we passed by some mountaineers who preferred to hike with their backpacks; comfortably travelling in our car, the meaning of which was incomprehensible to me at that moment, until the awesome sight of this edifice complex emerged from afar: the view of which would mean sweet victory for the hikers below.
Short of straining our necks, we gazed with amazement at the cross behind the colonnade. To be able to get there, would it mean conquering those steps and surmounting the hill beyond? If it had to be done that way, then so be it! Reaching the flagpole at the end of the 3 series of steps was rather easy particularly so that I opted to linger to have a rendezvous with history; a history that to my memory was recent as told to me firsthand by my father.
On December 7, 1941 during World War II, after being beaten by Japanese groups, Filipino and American soldiers, following War Plan Orange of USA, started to retreat and regroup in Bataan. Exhausted, starved and ailing, these soldiers persevered to defend their fortress, until on April 9, 1942 after 3 days of violent fighting, Mount Samat, their last stronghold, was captured; 78,000 of them surrendered and were subjected to atrocious Japanese chastisement heightened by the infamous Bataan Death March.
Among these high relief sculptures done by National Artist Napoleon Abueva the inscription "Sacrifice Knows No Profession" pulled a cord in my heart, for indeed our fathers fought for the freedom we are enjoying now: they fought hard, they sacrificed much, they suffered in defeat but won the freedom that for centuries in the past had eluded our forefathers.
As a reminder that this freedom has to be guarded and the spirit of freedom continually aflame, two bronze urns symbolizing 'eternal flame' were placed on top of the two pedestals guarding the flag.
We had already imbibed enough nationalistic spirit and yet we had not reached the memorial cross yet. Looking at the cross from the colonnade, it seemed that we were not even half through. Energy expenditure in climbing those winding stairs in an altitude with oxygen somewhat thinned out would need an extra robust cardiovascular system; so would we rather content ourselves in staring at it from far down here?
Fortunately, when then President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the construction, he probably had in mind the war veterans; a road was therefore paved up to the top of the mountain and an elevator was built in the middle of the cross.
But of course Dannie is no war veteran but after 2 battles with stroke he is a certified 'stroke' veteran.
We were informed that the elevator was not operational that particular day, so we were left with our vivid imagination to figure out the view from atop this cross and the content of the gallery at its wings. We were consoled by the fact that on a cloudy day like this the view was obscure so that from the view deck, we had to scan which among the blurred figures below were Manila Bay, Corregidor or Cavite. Comparing the image from the one taken by Dane from their Mount Mariveles traverse, the incapacity of the elevator to get me up there became immaterial
We thought we did find the perfect spot to set our lunch. The sight of a monkey swaying among the branch of the tree excited us, especially when it trumpeted a very peculiar sound; then one by one the monkeys came until we were swarmed by six of them acting like vagabonds ready for their greatest steal. As our group was packing the food hurriedly DeeJ warned me to guard my camera as well.
On our way down, we scrutinized the vestiges of war displayed around the premise.
The Shrine of Valor after all was built so the now and future generations can look back at our history: a history that reflects the purity of our intentions, the nobility of our spirits, the amicability and generosity of our hearts for never in history were we the oppressors or the usurpers; in times of oppression our forefathers fought with valor for our freedom, reason enough for us to hold our heads high with pride.
Dane after all is right: looking below from up above the top, the perspective is different: uplifting as it is, the perspective becomes perfect when history is interwoven into it.
Compared to its neighboring countries whose existence and governance can be traced back to prehistoric times, the history of the Philippine Archipelago can be considered to be in its infancy. While its history started with splintered tribal groups 30,000 years ago, ironically it started to become united under one rule in the16th century under foreign colonizers: Spanish rule 1521 - 1898, American rule 1898 - 1946, Japanese rule 1942 - 1945.
The Shrine of Valor or Dambana ng Kagitingan symbolizes the thirst of the Filipino people for freedom: freedom fought effectively by guerilla campaign of the Philippine Resistance Forces in World War II, my father was one of them; reason enough for America to finally release the Filipinos from centuries of bondage: bondage that caused our country the precious lives of our heroes, heroes who could have brought our country to its greatest heights, greatest heights that we are now pinning on our youth: the hope of our country.
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