This year, I decided that I will climb as many Philippine mountains as my weak and physically inactive body can. When Ate Marco suggested we go to Bataan for a day trip to climb Mount Samat and visit Dambana ng Kagitingan (Shrine of Valor) in Pilar, Bataan, I immediately said yes.

We originally planned to go last month, but our plan didn’t push through. It almost didn’t materialize again when Ate Marco couldn’t make it, but Kimpee, Ayessa, and I decided that we have to go no matter what! So without our trip organizer, off we went to Bataan.

Last Saturday, we met up early in Pasay to board the bus going to Balanga, Bataan. After misunderstood landmarks and missing each other, we ended up leaving Manila at around 7 in the morning. We were an hour late in the itinerary, but it was okay. [Read more…]