WHAT : PILGRIMAGE
(Our Lady of Pillar,
Pilar, Bataan)
Where : Side-trip
(Mt. Samat),
Refreshing trip,
The Raven Resort
When : May 23, 2009
Who : everyone

Wow! Last year, we had a pilgrimage at Our Lady of Turumba, Pakil, Laguna. This was my first time to join and made a big impact in my life particularly my religious life.. I told myself, if ever there would be another one, I would take again the chance of joining.

OUR LADY OF PILLAR- As early as 10:00 am, almost everybody were inside the church, Fr. Ernest de Leon and Bishop Soc Villegas welcomed us and so grateful for choosing Bataan as our destination for this year’s spiritual and historical journey. Msgr. Arnel gave his message and his thanks to Fr. Ernest, Bishop Soc, the people of Bataan, our Lady of Light Parish Organizations especially The Spirit of Love who spearheaded the activity and all those who didn’t miss the opportunity of involving themselves in this spiritual journey.

Rev. Msgr. Arnel celebrated the Holy Mass.OLLP different ministries- MUSIC, Ushers, LCP, Knights of the Altar assisted our parish priest. He explained the meaning of pilgrimage, particularly The Marian Pilgrimage. “Ito ay isang paraan ng pagsasakripisyo. Isang paala-ala na ang buhay natin ay isang paglalakbay pabalik sa tahanan ng Ama.”

Msgr. said that Our Lady of Pillar was the last church built by the Spaniards before the start of the Katipunan, a revolutionary organization.Afterwards, we went to St. Joseph Cathedral.

TREKKING MT. SAMAT- a national shrine located at Diwa, Pilar, Bataan. The Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor), the 92-meter high cross was raised by our ex-Pres. Marcos, a Bataan defender. This historical cross commemorates the heroism of the Filipino and American soldiers who sacrificed their lives when they surrendered to the Japanese government. After the Pearl Harbor, the Philippines was attacked by the Japanese soldiers on December 8, 1941.On January 2, 1942, Manila was declared as open city. Fil-American soldiers started losing their directions. Mac Arthur left the country on March 11 saying ” I shall return!” The bloody battle began at Mt. Samat on April 6, 1942 but the Fil- American soldiers were conquered and they were forced to march all the way- 140 km. from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac. (Death March- April 9, 1942)Most of them died of starvation, illness and disease, wounds,
dehydration.

The shrine is almost like a park with the following amenities- gazebo, store, museum, altar,etc. One needs to pay ten pesos to reach the summit. The money being collected is allotted for the electricity of the elevator.


The Raven Resort- to complete the day, freeing oneself from the hustle and the bustle life of the city, this could be the right place! With lodging house, swimming pools, air-conditioned restaurant and videoke bar.