Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2012 18:38:10 GMT 8
Hello all, a rookie here.
I'm a peacetime Marine Corp vet 86' - 90' and visited Olongapo / Subic Bay in 1989 aboard LHA-1 Tarawa, then again in 1990 on LHA-5 Peleliu.
While there, A few friends and I always wanted to get away and see other parts of the country, and were always denied because of N.P.A. activity ( mostly near Clark ) . I don't really think that the N.P.A. had that much interest in us, but that it was a way for our command to keep us close by. Regardless, orders are orders, and we weren't permitted to go any further than Subic City while on liberty.
I was able to spend some time on Grande Island. I roamed around around Fort Wint, not knowing it was Fort Wint , because someone told me that I was looking at the ruins of an old Spanish prison. I know better now, but at least I can say that I was there and saw it. I remember asking a national what was on Chiquita island just offshore to the west, and she replied that Chiquita was where the trash from Grande Is. was taken.
Fast forward to 2012. I returned on vacation with three things in mind. 1) to visit a Filipino family in Zambales whom I had befriended 22 years before, 2) to experience the beaches of Western Bataan , and 3) to fly to Davao City to meet a woman that I met online.
Just before I departed for my vacation , I stumbled upon the story of Lt. Edwin Ramsey , 26th Cavalry , and his actions during the war. I learned about the delaying action he fought at Lyac Junction. Afterwards, It was a race between the 26th, and the Japanese to the town of Moron ( changed to Morong 1955).
On January 1st ( I think ) 1942,
Reinforced with Filipino Scouts, Ramsey beat the Japanese to Moron, and set an ambush..... It worked.
Ramsey with about 27 cavalrymen, wheeled their horses around the western wall of " Our Lady of the Pillar" Catholic church and charged a Japanese Infantry unit, scattering them .
Ramsey and his men charged to the Batalan river ( bout 200 yards) , dismounted , and inflicted more damage on the bewildered Japanese infantrymen.
Ramsey went on to become a guerilla fighter, and was later awarded the Silver Star by Wainwright for leading the last ever mounted Cavalry charge in U.S. history.
After reading this, I had to see this place.
On or about April 11, I took a private cab from S.B.M.A to Morong.
I had a picture print-out of the church, and told my driver that's where I wanted to go.
He dropped me off in Poblacion, Morong at 9 am. before the oppressive heat kicked in.
Immediately, I started snapping shots of this beautiful church.
The Spanish named this place " Moron " because upon arriving, they discovered Moro Pirates hanging out here.
In 1607 , the Spanish built the church out of coral.
While taking pictures, I noticed a Filipino guy on a bicycle had stopped and was watching me. He looked disheveled, had on ragged clothes , and had a runny nose. This 'ole boy looked like he'd been " rode hard, and put up wet " , but he was cool.
He answered a lot of my questions, and offered to fetch some administrative workers for the church to meet me.
I declined out of politeness.
He proceeded to show me damage to the exterior of the church that he claims are bullet holes from the January '42 battle. ( I have my doubts ).
Nevertheless, the church is beautiful, and certainly worth a look.
Afterwards, I walked down the street from the church, that led to a dirt road , that led to a path , that led me to the beach. All in about 300 yards. There , I rented a cabana for 200 pesos ( $ 4.70 ) , swam , then befriended another Filipino family. It was still before noon when we were grilling some freshly caught calimari, and drinking San Miguel light. They were on a mini-vacation from Pampanga, and typical of friendly Filipinos.
I noticed some very charming beach bungalows going for 700 pesos a night ( $ 16.50 ) that made me regret my 2,975 pesos a night ( $ 70. ) hotel room at S.B.M.A. ( Subic Bay Metro Authority) .
The next day, I met up with a friend, and we explored Bagac.
Again, I rented a cabana in the early morning, and the well intentioned owners tried to make me comfortable by wheeling out their Karaoke machine and BLASTING Frank Sinatras' " I did it my Way " . It is my opinion that Frank Sinatra's music should not be blasted anywhere. Especially on a gorgeous beach in Bagac , Bataan ...in the morning.
I decided not to object.....Until they requested that I sing it.
I very politely declined, and they got the hint.
It wasn't long before I drew the attention of all the neighborhood, who all showed up to view and greet me.
I recieved a few propositions, decent and otherwise.
Eventually my friend and I visited the Japanesse- Filipino " Friendship tower " ( 1975) , and were able to track down a rifle and helmet monument ( 1968 ) .
I also whitnessed a Km. 00 marker. for the Death March.
It was only then , that I learned that the Bataan Death March originated from two areas ( Mariveles and Bagac ) .
I've heard Bagac described as " Beautiful " . I tend to disagree. Bagac town ( that I saw ) is grid-like , and non descript.
Bagac's beaches however are certainly beautiful !
Anyways , I visited the Phillipines for 19 days ( April 7 - 26 ) and had a great time. My excursion to Davao amounted to nothing unfortunately. I didn't want to return home early, so I travelled quite a bit in Southern Mindanao. Some places I visited, I shouldn't have gone to at all. I can give details to anyone who would like to know.
Western Bataan struck me as one of the most beautiful and interesting places I've ever been. Specifically Morong.
Actually, I'm entranced. I can't wait to return. I hope to visit the P.I again before years end, or very early next year. Only Bataan. I lost my camera in Bagac, and so have no pictures of my Northern trip except for those that my friend took.
* " Our Lady of the Pillar " Catholic church in Morong has a presence on Facebook for those members interested.
I'm happy to have found this website. Please accept this submission of my trip report to the P.I. April 7-26, 2012.
I'm a peacetime Marine Corp vet 86' - 90' and visited Olongapo / Subic Bay in 1989 aboard LHA-1 Tarawa, then again in 1990 on LHA-5 Peleliu.
While there, A few friends and I always wanted to get away and see other parts of the country, and were always denied because of N.P.A. activity ( mostly near Clark ) . I don't really think that the N.P.A. had that much interest in us, but that it was a way for our command to keep us close by. Regardless, orders are orders, and we weren't permitted to go any further than Subic City while on liberty.
I was able to spend some time on Grande Island. I roamed around around Fort Wint, not knowing it was Fort Wint , because someone told me that I was looking at the ruins of an old Spanish prison. I know better now, but at least I can say that I was there and saw it. I remember asking a national what was on Chiquita island just offshore to the west, and she replied that Chiquita was where the trash from Grande Is. was taken.
Fast forward to 2012. I returned on vacation with three things in mind. 1) to visit a Filipino family in Zambales whom I had befriended 22 years before, 2) to experience the beaches of Western Bataan , and 3) to fly to Davao City to meet a woman that I met online.
Just before I departed for my vacation , I stumbled upon the story of Lt. Edwin Ramsey , 26th Cavalry , and his actions during the war. I learned about the delaying action he fought at Lyac Junction. Afterwards, It was a race between the 26th, and the Japanese to the town of Moron ( changed to Morong 1955).
On January 1st ( I think ) 1942,
Reinforced with Filipino Scouts, Ramsey beat the Japanese to Moron, and set an ambush..... It worked.
Ramsey with about 27 cavalrymen, wheeled their horses around the western wall of " Our Lady of the Pillar" Catholic church and charged a Japanese Infantry unit, scattering them .
Ramsey and his men charged to the Batalan river ( bout 200 yards) , dismounted , and inflicted more damage on the bewildered Japanese infantrymen.
Ramsey went on to become a guerilla fighter, and was later awarded the Silver Star by Wainwright for leading the last ever mounted Cavalry charge in U.S. history.
After reading this, I had to see this place.
On or about April 11, I took a private cab from S.B.M.A to Morong.
I had a picture print-out of the church, and told my driver that's where I wanted to go.
He dropped me off in Poblacion, Morong at 9 am. before the oppressive heat kicked in.
Immediately, I started snapping shots of this beautiful church.
The Spanish named this place " Moron " because upon arriving, they discovered Moro Pirates hanging out here.
In 1607 , the Spanish built the church out of coral.
While taking pictures, I noticed a Filipino guy on a bicycle had stopped and was watching me. He looked disheveled, had on ragged clothes , and had a runny nose. This 'ole boy looked like he'd been " rode hard, and put up wet " , but he was cool.
He answered a lot of my questions, and offered to fetch some administrative workers for the church to meet me.
I declined out of politeness.
He proceeded to show me damage to the exterior of the church that he claims are bullet holes from the January '42 battle. ( I have my doubts ).
Nevertheless, the church is beautiful, and certainly worth a look.
Afterwards, I walked down the street from the church, that led to a dirt road , that led to a path , that led me to the beach. All in about 300 yards. There , I rented a cabana for 200 pesos ( $ 4.70 ) , swam , then befriended another Filipino family. It was still before noon when we were grilling some freshly caught calimari, and drinking San Miguel light. They were on a mini-vacation from Pampanga, and typical of friendly Filipinos.
I noticed some very charming beach bungalows going for 700 pesos a night ( $ 16.50 ) that made me regret my 2,975 pesos a night ( $ 70. ) hotel room at S.B.M.A. ( Subic Bay Metro Authority) .
The next day, I met up with a friend, and we explored Bagac.
Again, I rented a cabana in the early morning, and the well intentioned owners tried to make me comfortable by wheeling out their Karaoke machine and BLASTING Frank Sinatras' " I did it my Way " . It is my opinion that Frank Sinatra's music should not be blasted anywhere. Especially on a gorgeous beach in Bagac , Bataan ...in the morning.
I decided not to object.....Until they requested that I sing it.
I very politely declined, and they got the hint.
It wasn't long before I drew the attention of all the neighborhood, who all showed up to view and greet me.
I recieved a few propositions, decent and otherwise.
Eventually my friend and I visited the Japanesse- Filipino " Friendship tower " ( 1975) , and were able to track down a rifle and helmet monument ( 1968 ) .
I also whitnessed a Km. 00 marker. for the Death March.
It was only then , that I learned that the Bataan Death March originated from two areas ( Mariveles and Bagac ) .
I've heard Bagac described as " Beautiful " . I tend to disagree. Bagac town ( that I saw ) is grid-like , and non descript.
Bagac's beaches however are certainly beautiful !
Anyways , I visited the Phillipines for 19 days ( April 7 - 26 ) and had a great time. My excursion to Davao amounted to nothing unfortunately. I didn't want to return home early, so I travelled quite a bit in Southern Mindanao. Some places I visited, I shouldn't have gone to at all. I can give details to anyone who would like to know.
Western Bataan struck me as one of the most beautiful and interesting places I've ever been. Specifically Morong.
Actually, I'm entranced. I can't wait to return. I hope to visit the P.I again before years end, or very early next year. Only Bataan. I lost my camera in Bagac, and so have no pictures of my Northern trip except for those that my friend took.
* " Our Lady of the Pillar " Catholic church in Morong has a presence on Facebook for those members interested.
I'm happy to have found this website. Please accept this submission of my trip report to the P.I. April 7-26, 2012.