THE CHURCHES OF BATAAN

The province of Bataan is composed only of eleven towns and one component city of Balanga which serves as the capital of the province. The towns,  if one enters from Pampanga going south and rounding up the peninsula to the west, are Dinalupihan, Hermosa, Orani, Samal, Abucay, Balanga City, Pilar, Orion Limay, Mariveles, Bagac and Morong. 

The evangelization of the province dates to several centuries back by the Dominican missionaries starting in Abucay on June 10, 1588. The Dominicans were also responsible for Christianizing Samal, Orion, Orani, Balanga, Hermosa and Pilar. The Agustinians came a little bit later and evangelized the western part of the province in Morong, Bagac and Mariveles. Hence most of the churches in Bataan are quite old. Though many have been destroyed either by earthquakes or fires yet they have been reconstructed and retain their structure mostly made of adobe stones and red bricks. 

 Bataan played a historic role during the Second World War as it served as one of the last stands of the American and Filipino soldiers against the Japanese forces in the Battle of Bataan which led to their surrender on April 9, 1942. This resulted to the so called Death March where about 75,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march from Mariveles, Bataan to Capas, Tarlac and thousands died because of the brutality of the Japanese captors.

            One weekend, I took the opportunity to pay a visit to all the towns and churches of Bataan.  Coming from Manila, the first town of Bataan that greets you is Dinalupihan. It is the only town in the province that does not have a shoreline.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH CHURCH

Dinalupihan, Bataan

Founded: 1865

         The next town after Dinalupihan is Hermosa.  Its original name was Babuyan as there were plenty of wild boar that roamed the place before. It was later changed to Llana Hermosa, meaning a “beautiful plain” as it was said to be the best description of the place. The church measures 58 meters long and 18 meters wide and is made of adobe stones. It has a three-tiered retablo

ST. PETER VERONA PARISH CHURCH

Hermosa, Bataan

Founded: 1756

The next town one passes by is Orani which was formerly a part of Samal, hence it was only in 1714 that it became a missionary center by the Spanish Dominicans. The present church which is considered neo-classical dates back to 1891 as the older church was totally destroyed in an earthquake of Sept. 16, 1852. Their patron saint is lovingly called the Virgen Milagrosa del Rosario del Pueblo de Orani. The church is a diocesan shrine and in December 12, 2019 was declared a Minor Basilica. Interesting to see in the church aside from the miraculous image of the Blessed Mother are the carved bas reliefs on the doors of the church. The parish also has a museum which houses the different vestments used for the image of the Blessed Virgin. 

MINOR BASILICA AND SHRINE PARISH OF OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY OF ORANI

Orani, Bataan

Founded: 1714

 The bas relief on the doors of the church of Orani

Bas relief of the four evangelists

            After Orani one reaches Samal which was the second town founded by the Spanish Dominican friars in Bataan in 1596. The first church was destroyed during the Dutch invasion of 1647. Then during the Philippine revolution of 1898 the church was again burned by the Katipuneros in order to flash out the enemies that hid in church and convent. The present church dates back to 1906 and is made of adobe and bricks.

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA PARISH CHURCH

Samal, Bataan

Founded: 1596

            The next town from Samal is Abucay which was officially created as the first pueblo and parish of Bataan on June 10, 1588. As was customary of the Dominicans, the first convent in any area is named after St. Dominic de Guzman, their founder. Hence St. Dominic became the patron of Abucay. The church dates back to the 1870's after the church built in 1600 was burned that year. The church is made of red bricks and adobe stones.

ST. DOMINIC DE GUZMAN PARISH CHURCH

Abucay, Bataan

Founded: 1588

            The next town is Orion which used to be part of Abucay, but was separated on April 30, 1667 and made a vicariate. The church of 1680 was completely destroyed during an earthquake in September 1852. The church that was rebuilt was destroyed again when the whole town of Orion on May 3, 1893 suffered a huge conflagration. The present church was built thereafter. It boasts of the most beautiful retablo in the whole province of Bataan.

ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL PARISH CHURCH

Orion, Bataan

Founded: 1667

            Usually, I don't include barangay parish churches when I go for church visits but while on our way to Pilar, I saw this beautiful modern church of Calungusan in Orion which made me stop and take a look. It had high ceilings in a neo-Gothic style with a simple but beautiful altar with a crucifix at the center framed between two Corinthian columns.

STS. PETER AND PAUL PARISH CHURCH

Calungusan, Orion, Bataan

Founded: 1999

            The town of Pilar is named after its patroness, Our Lady of the Pillar. It became an independent town and parish (vicariate) in 1801 being separated from Balanga. It was first administered by the secular clergy until 1833 when it was turned over to the Dominicans. On May 28, 1898 the church was burned down by the local revolutionaries but the statue of the Our Lady of the Pillar was spared which was considered by the townsfolk as miraculous. The Spanish pastor was arrested and incarcerated in Cavite which also put to an abrupt and painful end the Spanish Dominican administration in the parishes of Bataan.

OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR PARISH CHURCH

Pilar,Bataan

Founded: 1801

            Balanga was a former visita of Abucay before it became a vicariate in 1739. When Bataan became a province in 1754 Balanga became its capital due to its location being at the heart of the province. 

ST. JOSEPH CATHEDRAL

Balanga City

Founded: 1739

The commercial center of Balanga is just in front of the Cathedral 

 The Clergy house of the Diocese of Balanga whre I stayed when I visited Bataan. 

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI PARISH CHURCH

Limay, Bataan

Founded: 1930

            Limay was formerly a barrio of Orion. The parish was established in 1930. 

            Mariveles is situated at the southern tip of the peninsula of Bataan. It has long been visited by Chinese traders even before the Spaniards came. The Chinese pirate Limahong landed in Mariveles on Nov. 29, 1574 with the intention of attacking Manila. A Franciscan missionary was the first priest to reach Mariveles in 1578. 

ST. NICOLAS DE TOLENTINO PARISH CHURCH

Mariveles, Bataan

Founded: 1578

Kilometer one of the historic Death March starts here in Mariveles. Signposts like this dot the roads up to Capas, Tarlac where it ends.

           Bagac used to be a barrio of Morong before until it became a parish in 1873. The town’s patron St. Catherine of Alexandria is considered miraculous that the church has become a center of pilgrimage throughout the province.

ST. CATHERINE OF ALEXANDRIA PARISH CHURCH

Bagac, Bataan

Founded: 1873

  

            The town of Morong, situated on the northeastern coast of Bataan was founded in 1607 by the Augustinian missionaries and the church is considered as the oldest Augustinian Church in the country. The church is made of limestones and corals.

OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR PARISH CHURCH

Morong, Bataan

Founded: 1607

       One of the historical sights that should not to be missed when visiting Bataan is the Mt. Samat National Shrine near the summit of Mount Samat in Pilar. This complex was built in honor and remembrance of the brave Filipino and American soldiers who fought against the Japanese Army during the Second World War. There is a marble colonnade and an esplanade in front of it. Under the colonnade is a war museum which houses memorabilia of armaments used during the battle and paintings of Philippine heroes. At the back of the colonnade is the Memorial Cross which is at the highest point of Mt. Samat and is 312 feet high. 

MT. SAMAT NATIONAL SHRINE

Pilar, Bataan

The stained glass murals at the center of the Colonnade. 

LAS CASAS FILIPINAS DE ACUZAR

Bagac, Bataan 

Another addition to the attractions of Bataan is the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar. It is a sprawling landscape of thirty restored Spanish-Filipino houses gathered from all over the country and transported piece by piece to the place becoming a living museum of Philippine heritage serving at the same time as a luxurious hotel accommodation with all the modern amenities.   

Map of the Parishes of Bataan

Sagrada Familia Sanctuary, Tala, Orani, Bataan