Bataan Day

This year, Araw ng Kagitingan falls on Maundy Thursday, and for a practicing Catholic, it is a day of contemplation and solemnity for me.

This post is to honor our brave fallen soldiers who valiantly fought for our freedom. Day of Valor (April 09) commemorates the fall of Bataan in World War 2. The Allied Forces consisting of around 78,000 Filipino, Chinese and American soldiers surrendered to the Imperial army of Japan on the dawn of April 09, 1942.  Annually, the Araw ng Kagitingan ceremony is held at Mount Samat. I am posting pictures of the Mount Samat National Shrine war museum's extensive collection.

I also salute our modern day heroes who are working very hard to fight this pandemic - our health workers. May God continue to bless and guide you in your efforts to heal the afflicted and contain this pandemic. 

Mount Samat: Shrine of Valour

September 26, 2019: After we checked out from Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar (overnight staycation), we headed to Mount Samat in Pilar, Bataan.

Backgrounder: When D said he wanted to go to Las Casas for his advanced birthday treat, I googled local attractions within its vicinity. My search revealed museums and small markers signifying the importance of the place during WW2. Plus Mount Samat, a 545 meter mountain which was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in our history.

In early 1942, Allied Forces (American troops) fought the Japanese Imperial Army in the Battle of Bataan. I absorbed all information with gusto - the Shrine of Valour, its Memorial Cross, its museum + the zigzagging road to reach it.

Then I got afraid: can our 23 year old classic sedan survive the steep climb? For days, I kept hounding D, pestering him about it. I would also flip flop on whether we should include Mount Samat in our itinerary, at all. He studied the terrain, the mechanics of the gears for steep climbs and he reassured me it is very feasible. I was ecstatic yet still apprehensive. 

After a quick lunch at some roadside eatery which served okay food at cheap prices, we followed the sign leading us to the Memorial Park. At first, we were on the national highway,  a well cemented two lanes road. Once we turned left, the paved road was within a densely forested area, we encountered a small slopes here + few sharp curves there. We reached some steep climbs, my knuckles were white from holding very tight. I got dizzy looking at the numerous zigzag patterns on Waze so I switched my phone off. I was too nervous and held my breath the entire time as I felt the sharp turns, the steepness of the climb.

At some point towards the final stretch, our car was making noises I've never heard before, but she (yes, our car is a female) shouldered on. When I saw the white gate, the checkpoint at the entrance, I finally let go of my firm hold. We were praising our little car, when we parked I literally kissed its dashboard from relief. My anxiety level was at its highest but we made it to the top. Yoohoo!!!!

It was around 2:20 PM, a very bright, sunny and warm Thursday afternoon. There were SUVs and our tiny car was the 3rd one present at the parking slot. I had my umbrella, my portable fan, my cooling towel. I was ready for another climb, this time on foot.

Path to the base of the Cross

Look at those rocks! Quite difficult to step on and walk.

A daunting 448 steps zigzagging footpath which is said to be made of rocks from Corregidor, stained by Japanese blood. It felt like cobblestones and it was rough on my ballet flats, I had to stop several times to catch my breath even as the view from up there was quite literally breathtakingly panoramic. Two people in their 50s, drenched in sweat,  yet in high spirits finally made it to the top. =)

We stopped a bit to catch our breath and take in the view. The Memorial Cross is 95 meters tall with the Cross arms at 30 meters wide. At the base of the Cross, an 11 meter tall sculptural slabs designed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva depicting some scenes from our rich historical past.

Artist Napoleon Abueva's design

From the base of the Memorial Cross, there is an elevator to take you to the viewing gallery situated in the arms of the Cross. There is a row of chairs in the middle and from the small windows you can see a panoramic view of the entire Bataan peninsula. 

We spent about 10 minutes there then it was time to return to the cobblestone like pathway yet again in the blazing sun. Our target was to explore the marble colonnade designed by Lorenzo Castillo. An open space which includes two bronze urns, the altar of Valour and three panels of large stained glass windows designed by Ceno Rivera. 

Life in the time of pandemic.

So the entire of Metro Manila is officially under community quarantine, starting today March 15 up to April 12, 2020.  Note, it is NOT a lockdown as people can freely move around the metropolis. Those living outside of Metro Manila but working in NCR need to present their work I.D for them to enter. Checkpoints are now stationed near borders at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and towns like Marikina, Pasig, Quezon City that share borders with Rizal Province, Cavite and Bulacan. 

Everyone is encouraged to stay home. Or if they have work, they need to get home before the curfew hours 8 P.M - 5 A.M.  These are good measures implemented by the government but I believe it is a little too late as there was a massive exodus of people leaving the National Capital Region with long traffic jams at the expressways.

So while we are under community quarantine (not a lockdown), what guarantees do we have that those who left Metro Manila in a huff, are not carriers of this contagious virus?  None. All we can do is pray, it won't spread like crazy as our healthcare system is already stretched to its limits with the 140 and counting positive cases, so far.

Yesterday, March 14 D and I went to the supermarket so we could buy some essential goods like bread, coffee, rice, canned goods for my octogenarian parents who live in a condo unit. What greeted me were empty shelves where stacks of alcohol bottles, hand sanitizers, alcogels were displayed prominently just a week ago. Even the entire bread counter was depleted of any supplies.

I only had a small trolley but saw other families with 3-4 members each with their own carts filled to the brim. Panic buying, storing supplies like it was the end of the world, mind you it is not! This is being selfish because clearly the community quarantine guidelines states that groceries, supermarkets, pharmacies, hardware stores will remain OPEN during this period. So why have carts full of items?

I noticed there were only a few people with face masks because there is a huge SHORTAGE for them. D & I have a few left and gave most of them to my parents. I instructed my parents to stay indoors, and just give me a list of their maintenance medicines when they run out. But for now they have enough supply.

I have to admit I have sleepless nights worrying over them. This pandemic is further adding to my fearful days and insomnia filled nights. Valid fears but there is nothing much we can do but pray this contagion is eradicated sooner than soon. 

"Remember March, the ides of March, remember" - William Shakespeare  

So help us Lord!

Post Valentine’s Date

Last week, the day after Valentine's day, we had dinner at a restaurant. We would dine in this establishment from time to time, especially when it was pay day as it is a bit pricey. I only get to eat in above.my.budget places when my sister dearest is in town, she likes to treat the entire family. We were conversing about D's class, he just came from his Masters class, the food had arrived so we were eating and talking about a number of stuff.  Midway, I remembered we had not taken our picture, so we asked this waiter to take it for us. He got my cellphone and positioned himself across our table saying "dito ako pwesto, para payat si Ma'am!" I was shocked and blurted out "hoy payat naman ako ha!!" then smiled for the picture.

Thing is, I adjusted my exercise routine when I lost so much weight in the early part of 2019. Last year, I exercised 5 times a week at home. I did 45 minutes of aerobics complete with 2 pound dumbbells in each hand. A YouTube exercise video which was recommended by my sister dearest's endocrinologist. The mid part of 2019, I reduced it to twice a week and then around September 2019, I completely stopped exercising. Mostly because D noticed and remarked I was too thin and told me to eat more. In fact, friends I have not seen in ages, the first thing they ask is why am I so thin?

I would just shrug and say I exercise a lot. But mainly, I believe we Filipinos are the only persons on earth who upon greeting someone we haven't seen in a while, we would comment on their weight. Sure, I am guilty of doing that too. Yet I take offense when someone I don't know like a waiter, of all people would make such a remark about my weight. But I just prayed for him and told my thin self not to sweat the small stuff. 

So I didn't talk to his manager nor complain on their FB page. (1) I didn't get his name, too busy eating and chatting with my Valentine. (2) it would waste a lot of my precious time and (3) I don't like making a big fuss because people might think I am too sensitive, being righteous or snotty.

I am secure and happy with my body, and no one will break my spirit! :)

Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar

To take my blues away from not going through with our trip (yes I am still very frustrated), I shall post more pictures that remind me of an enriching & historical experience! Happy moments to add to my memory warehouse, an advanced birthday treat for my hubby, last September 2019.