The Main Battle Position
-(Abucay Town) The battle position of the USAFFE, known officially as the Abucay - Morong Line, under the War Plan Orange 3. The then second Lieutenant Alexander R. Miniger, Jr., 57t 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 acute highest military decoration.
Pasukulan Falls
A natural wonder at the valley of Mt. Natib which has fresh vegetation and unexplored area.
Fall of Bataan Marker
This commemorates the Fall of Bataan, in memory of war veterans living and dead.
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.
Roosevelt National Park
A forest reservation ideal for outdoor adventures and Boyscout Camporal area with facilities for irrigation and game hunting.
Sibul Spring
A tourist potential with sulfuric swimming pool and wide area for outdoor recreation.
Philippine- Japan Friendship Tower
This symbolizes that after a war, there is a period of reconciliation, peace and friendship.
Bankal Settlement
A newly created barangay where the Actas still maintain their traditional customs and usages in accordance with our cultural heritage.
Battle of Tuol Pocket Marker
This marks the significant pocket where a battle ensued as teh prelude to the final defense of Bataan.
Bataan province together with the province of Zambales is in the western part of Luzon. The smallest in the region in terms of land area, it has a rugged terrain of interlacing uplands, hills and mountains. The finger-shaped peninsula just cut into the China Sea, forming the Manila Bay within a cove. The sea lines its east, west, and southern portions while in the north are the provinces of Pampanga and Zambales.
The province is drained by the numerous rivers and small streams with very few meanders radiating and sloping from the mountain groups down to the sea.
Soil in Bataan are classified into 3 groups: the soils of the plain, are suitable for agricultural, industrial and residential purposes, the soils of the rolling areas, steep hills and mountains are grayish brown in color and occupies the largest part with a total of 114,911 hectares; the miscellaneous; types comprise the hydrosol and beach sand suitable for fishing grounds and recreational purposes.
Bataan has 12 towns, with Balanga as its capital. The province is drained by the numerous rivers and small streams with very few meanders radiating and sloping from the mountain groups down to the sea. The climate in this province is of the forst type which is composed of two pronounced season starts in November and ends up in April, and the wet season from May to October.
Brief history. The mention of Bataan rings a memorable chord in the heart of every Filipino. It is today a symbol of democracy and freedom, having been the last fortress of Filipino and American soldiers against invading Japanese forces until it fell captive on April 9, 1942.
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 which 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, Orano, Llana Hermosa and San Juan de Dinalupihan. The latter group was under the charge of the Dominican Order.
The Dominican founded Abucay on June 10, 1588; Samal on April 20, 1641; Orion on April 30,1667; Orani and Balanga on April 21,1714; Llana Hermosa on May 8,1756 and Pilar in March 10, 1801. The three towns on the western side of the province, namely: Mariveles, Bagac, and Morong were founded by the Franciscans in about 1576.
Bataan has had more than its share of significant historical events. In 1647, the Dutch Naval Forces perpetrated the Abucay massacre; the dreaded Chinese pirate, Limahong, ised Lusong Point on the western side of Bataan as a landing place; the infamous Bataan Death March to Capas, Tarlac commenced in the municipalities of Mariveles and Bagac. Today, a touching commemorating shrine marks the spot called Camaya Point, poignantly depicted by a bayoner, thrust to the ground with a helmer symbolically slung over the rifle butt. An imposing " Dambana ng Kagitingan" memorial cross on the top of Mount Samat in Pilar, Bataan is dedicated to the memory of all thosw who fought in the last battle to resist Japanese Occupation.
Climate. The climate in this province is of the forst type which is composed of two pronounced season starts in November and ends up in April, and the wet season from May to October.
Religion. Roman Chatholicism is the predominant religion followed by Protestantism and others.
Language / Dialect. Tagalog as their common language is widely used followed by Pampango and Ilocano.
Major Industries. Bataan remains basically an agricultural province in spite of the rapid industrialization during the last decade. Major products are rice, corn, sugarcane, fruits, root crops, and vegetables.
Fishing is an industry considered next to farming. Marine barrios numbering 70 along four areas for municipal fishing: 4,329 hectares of inland fishponds; 53 deepsea fishing boats; 5,938 motorized and nonmotorized fishing bancas and about 9,959 municipal and commercial fishermen.
Major Industries: Bataan Refinery Corp., Bataan Pulp and paper Mills, Inc., Planters products, Columbian Carbon, (Phil.), Petrophil, DND Ammunition Plant; Phil. Explosives Corp., Bataan Therminal Plant, BPWQuarry and Mill, BEPZ Industries, and BASECO.
POINTS OF INTERESTS
Tomas Pinpin Monument - A memory of the first Filipino painter.
First Abucay Catholic Church - A living witness to the massacre of 200 Pampangos from the hands of the Dutch Invaders.
Abucay Municipal Building - A historic relic of one of the largest town of Bataan.
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.
Bagak Town - Zero Kilometer Marker. The start of the infamous Death March that also marks the beginning of Japanese control over the nation.
Camaliw Falls - This natural falls presents a project idea for tourism and recreational development.
Kaytibong Falls - This natural waterfalls remains to be developed.
Surrender Site Marker - Found at the compound of the Balanga Elementary School is the site of th formal surrender of Bataan and Corregidor.
First Line of Defense Marker - Situated at Layac Junction, it marks the first strong line of defense of combined Philippine/USAFFE troops against Japanese invasion during World War II.
Mt. Malasimbo - A cinica-shaped mountain considered as a weather forecasting device predicting a coming typhoon when its summit is covered with dark clouds.
Democracy Marker - Situated at the provincial boundary between Pampanga and Bataan, it depicts the role of Bataan in the fight for freedom in the preservation of democracy.
