Vacation Made Extra Special

The Nature's Beauty in Bataan, Philippines

Bataan is the province located in the northern region of the Philippines that is famous for its “Death March”. Death March was unforgotten and was in fact, included in the history of the Philippines. Read this to give you some important info:

“In March 1942, Homma began his plans for the American and Filipino troops who would become Prisoners of War. He planned on moving them to Camp O'Donnell, about one hundred miles away. The Bataan Death March began at Mariveles on April 10, 1942. Any troops who fell behind were executed. Japanese troops beat soldiers randomly, and denied the POWs food and water for many days. One of their tortures was known as the sun treatment. The Philippines in April is very hot. Therefore, the POWs were forced to sit in the sun without any shade, helmets, or water. Anyone who dared ask for water was executed. On the rare occasion they were given any food, it was only a handful of contaminated rice. When the prisoners were allowed to sleep for a few hours at night, they were packed into enclosures so tight that they could barely move. Those who lived collapsed on the dead bodies of their comrades. For only a brief part of the march would POWs be packed into railroad cars and allowed to ride. Those who did not die in the suffocating boxcars were forced to march about seven more miles until they reached their camp. It took the POWs over a week to reach their destination. (49) Those on Corregidor would suffer the same fate as their fellow soldiers on Bataan did as they too were transferred to Bataan.”

I just felt that it is better for me to share this history to all the readers. Aside from being fascinated to the innocent beauty of this land’s nature and beaches, having a 4-day vacation in Bataan let me feel the importance of being a Filipino. The wonderful place conveys its own meaning. Simple life awaits you there. Simple yet so profound. And you know what makes my vacation extra special? It’s because I was able to enjoy a pleasurable out-of-town vacation with my special one together with his relatives. Let me share a sample pic :D