empty-handed straight from Balanga Wetland or take the 20-minute trip to Mt.
Samat. “Boring. There’s nothing to see there,” the husband mentioned once. It wasn’t in the plan, but I was already in Bataan and knowing
he could never be dragged to Mt. Samat any day, I rode a jeepney to
Pilar to judge if there really ain’t nothing to see in this tourist-heavy
memorial park.
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| Beautiful altar |
For the longest time, I have been nursing this ridiculous idea of hiking Mt. Samat, all eight kilometers up, with a 15-kilogram toddler. The trail’s well-established and cemented after all. But at its foot, common sense beat me. I had no one to alternate baby carrying with, the heat was terrible and there’s no way my daughter will oblige to trekking that 3-hour long trail without throwing her signature toddler fits. I hailed a tricycle after haggling for a roundtrip ride for P350 (on the way back the driver brought me to the crossing where Manila-bound buses stop at no extra charge).
“There’s a one-kilometer trail left for you to hike,” he said upon dropping us off at the Colonnade. Private vehicles can bypass this route and proceed immediately to the parking near the Shrine, but PUJs are only permitted near the gates.
One kilometer. Should be easy peasy. That’s only half of what I treaded going to Mt. Manalmon.
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| The 1-kilometer path. Not as easy as it seems. |
That was probably the stupidest thought I had that day. For that steep, zigzagging one kilometer path albeit bloodstone-paved, made my body sore for two days. In fact, majority of ‘rents who carried their infants and toddlers up had to switch every now and then. Imagine if Lia didn’t walk on her own for half that trek.
There’s nothing to see there.
There are the usual historical articles: a gallery housing WWII
artifacts, canyons, a stained glass-surrounded altar, sculptures by
national artist Napoleon Abueva, and the massive Dambana ng Kagitingan/ Shrine
of Valor that leads to a lookout on top. That last bit can be frustrating though
with the looong queue to the elevator. There’s only one going up – the same one
that takes guests down. Per way it can only accommodate eight passengers max,
so depending on how early you get there, getting to the lookout may take up to
one hour.
That lookout however, defied the husband’s perception of Mt. Samat. It is small, most times packed, but no less impressive. It offers you a bird’s eye view of Manila Bay, Corregidor and the entire Bataan Peninsula – all while enjoying AC-like mountain breeze from the easterly mountains. I My daughter wanted to live there if she could. She shrieked and galloped like a mad horse the ENTIRE TIME we were there. Definitely our favorite at the park. More than eating hotdog and ice cream at the picnic sheds.
And of course it doesn’t hurt to pay homage to the brave forefathers, you know.
Seeing is objective. At Mt. Samat, I saw more than a slice of history. I saw happiness in my kid that I wouldn’t see had we stayed at home. That alone, is not nothing.
NOTES:
- Park is open daily from 8am till 6pm.
- You may park by the gate, by the Colonnade, or further up near the cross.
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| Path adjacent to Colonnade for private vehicle parking near the Cross. |
- Entrance fee is P20 per adult; P10 for kids. Toddlers enter for free (yey for me!)
- There are several picnic sheds near the Cross. A couple of stalls selling hotdogs, softdrinks and chips too. No rice meals though, so pack some if you intend to stay well into lunch time.
- Souvenirs are available in one of the stores. Got me a ref magnet for P55.
- Early morning visits are preferable. It can get pretty humid and hot by noon. It’s a mountain, but there’s little shade and air going up.
- Taking pictures is not allowed in the museum.
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| Scenes from above the lookout. |
PUBLIC COMMUTING:
- I came here from Balanga Wetland. Took the jeepney to Cabog-Cabog from the “ordinary bus terminal” in Balanga. There’s an ordinary bus terminal, and there’s a separate A/C bus terminal nearby for Genesis and Victory Liner buses. From Manila, take a bus to Balanga, then a tricycle to the ordinary bus terminal. Tell the barkers you’re going to Mt. Samat.
- Alight the jeepney when you see the at the Dambana ng Kagitingan Arch at the left side of the road.
- From there, you can either hike your way up (2-3 hours) or arrange for a tricycle driver to take you there. It’s P100 per head (RT) for a group of four. If you’re traveling alone you have to pay the full P400.
NEARBY DESTINATIONS YOU CAN CHECK OUT:
- Mt. Samat Zipline
Located a little ways down the road, a few kilometers from the Dambana ng Kagitingan Arch. P350 per zip ride. Currently the longest in Asia.
- Dunsulan Falls
- Balanga Wetland and Nature Park
hi! so if we're going in a private car we dont need to trek the 1km path right? need to clarify so I can ask hubby to try it out. thanky 🙂
Hi Em! Correct. If you're using a car, after the gate, turn left at the road up to the right of the Colonnade. That road will bring you to the parking lot near the Cross. Note though the altar and the gallery can only be reached when you up the Colonade (but before the 1 km zigzagging path), so if you wanna see those too, you might wanna ask hubby to park by the Colonnade first 🙂 Hope this helps.
Complete details. clap clap clap. Very excited to visit the place. Thanks for all the info. my first time to comment sa isang travel blog. 🙂
Why, thank you very much, Xenencio. Appreciate the visit and am honored to have your first (travel) blog comment 🙂 Enjoy Magalawa Island! 🙂
This is pretty comprehensive! Thanks so much! 😀
Glad you found it useful, Bea 🙂 You're welcome!
can i ask how much will it costs for two persons? :D.. by the way this info is very useful!!! 😀 planning to go there next week 😀
Glad you found it useful, Peachy. Cost depends if you're taking a car or commuting via bus. If you're coming from Manila via bus:
Transpo (bus/ lrt) = approx. 900/ head RT
Tricycle to port = 100/head
Boat ride = 100/ head
Accommodation with full-board meals at Ruiz Resort = 1,500/head
TOTAL = P2,600/head for an overnight trip
So for 2 persons it should be around P5,200 or so. Excluding extra activities of course if you plan to go snorkeling, island hopping and stuff. If you're not getting the package from Kuya Mulo, you'll only pay P1,700 for the room/night, then you could just buy food from the market, if that's more practical for you 🙂
Hope you enjoy Magalawa! 🙂
we just want to have a daytrip sana snorkel and swim.. how much would it be? is ruiz resort better than armada resort? we txtd mang mulo but he didnt reply. were bringing our own food para tipid hahah.. is it ok if we go there without even txting him?? or may bangka ba na pwede na pumunta sa isla? reply asap ! thank you soo much!! 😀
i just wanna ask about the falls din .. i sssooo love the falls kase!!! 😀
Did you try all the numbers for Mang Mulo? If he doesn't reply try the one I provided for Kuya Raymond. When I went there, I didn't see boats parked at the port. I guess you REALLY have to text him prior. I think he can better answer all your questions too. Thanks.
As mentioned, I wasn't able to visit the falls myself. I just included it here for reference. limbonis.com has more details kasi siya nakapunta na doon. Thanks.
Hello Nice Post
It seems that you really want to avoid the fast pacing
lifestyle in an urban zone. Just like me, I was once in Zambales for surfing.
It was my first time to surf. At ang pinakamaskit sa damdamin, pag uuwi ka na,
BALIK sa REALITY NA NAMAN
Keep on posting inspiring stories… I will follow you and
add you in my roll Hope to meet you someday and travel simultaneously. I love meeting people with same interest
Aaw…thank you so much Mommy Serene. I really appreciate that.
i admire your strength of heart… my condolences dear..
Si baby ko, nakatali sa likod ng papa niya nung mag explore sila sa cave hehe.. ako nagpaiwan sa isang malaking limestone dahil ayaw akong payagan ni hubby, baka daw madulas ako 🙂 malamang kaya ni hubby mo sis butchie to carry Lia, pero nakakatakot tlaga kasi ang taas ng mga limestone formations, dun ka kakapit para makapunta sa mga cave… pero dun sa 1,000 Steps mountain, pwede mo siya isama kasi may stairs naman and safe 🙂 yun lang, hingal to the max talaga haha!