Behold Bataan

Mt. Samat – Pilar, Bataan

Third day of 2025 National Flag Days. It is a period to show reverence to the National Flag, which embodies all ideals and aspirations of the Filipino nation. In accordance to Section 10 of Republic Act No. 8491 or The Flag and Heraldic Code, the National Flag shall be permanently hoisted, day and night, throughout the year, in front of sites and institutions approved and recognized by the National Historical Commission.

The Mount Samat Flag Pole stands prominently within the Dambana ng Kagitingan, or Mount Samat National Shrine, a historic landmark located in Bataan. Known by its iconic White Memorial Cross, the shrine was built to honor and commemorate the bravery of Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Its creation was initiated by President Ferdinand Marcos through Proclamation No. 25, s. 1966.

Mount Samat was the site of the intense Battle of Bataan in 1942, one of the last strongholds of Filipino and American resistance against the Japanese invasion. The defenders endured relentless artillery fire and aerial bombardment before ultimately surrendering on April 9, 1942—an event that marked the end of the battle and the beginning of the harrowing Bataan Death March. In remembrance of the fallen, the Mt. Samat Flag Pole has been designated by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) as a 24/7 flag site, where the Philippine flag is permanently hoisted as a symbol of courage and sacrifice.

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