Experience a taste of Spain in Balanga, Bataan, Philippines!
- The ARC Lifestyle
- Dec 13, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 15, 2025
By RB Borinaga
A short walk from Victory Liner Bus Terminal in Balanga, we arrived at The Plaza Hotel on JP Rizal Street at 6:20 a.m.
This hotel exudes old-world European charm, with its Spanish-style architecture becoming truly enchanting at night, as classical buildings light up and the lively dancing fountain entertains visitors.
Next, we visited the Instagram-worthy Plaza Mayor De Ciudad De Balanga along Aguirre Street, a notable tourist spot thanks to its Spanish colonial design. The buildings resemble a foreign enclave nestled in this quiet Bataan town.
"Why travel to Spain when replicas of its structures are right here in Bataan and other parts of the Philippines?"
Opposite Plaza Mayor De Ciudad De Balanga is the Cathedral-Shrine Parish of Saint Joseph, an architectural gem with design elements reminiscent of some Parisian cathedrals. Did you know that during the Japanese occupation, the cathedral served as an artillery base to bombard Mt. Samat, where Filipino-American troops made their final stand?
At 11:00 a.m., we reached Mt. Samat Road in Pilar, where a jeepney took us closer to the shrine, followed by a trike ride.
After a 20-peso entrance fee and a quick briefing, we reached the Memorial Cross, the second tallest concrete cross in the world, located atop a hill with breathtaking views. The shrine also showcases artworks by national artists like Napoleon Abueva and Maximo Vicente.
From the colonnade and cross, enjoy sweeping views of Bataan, Corregidor Island, and, on clear days, Manila across Manila Bay, 50 km away.
We concluded our demanding trek around 3:00 p.m., reflecting on historical moments as we descended the foothills.
For more adventure, check out the zip-line and Dunsulan waterfall nearby.
The Shrine of Valor is open daily from 8 am to 5 pm, but Bataan offers many more attractions, including The Flaming Sword, Bataan World War II Museum, Surrender Site Marker, Balanga Nature and Wetland Park, Tanato River Park, and the Tortugas Bird Site.
After our trek to Mt. Samat, we had the opportunity to dine at Mesa Feliz Restaurant, where we experienced a truly memorable meal.
The restaurant offers a cozy, welcoming ambiance and a diverse menu of intercontinental dishes. A highlight of the dining experience is their signature in-house smoked meats, which are slow-cooked for 8 to 12 hours using Mahogany or Santol wood. This careful process imparts a rich, deep flavor and a distinct smoky aroma. Mesa Feliz prides itself on making nearly everything from scratch—from their soups and dressings to breads, sauces, dips, and even thick-cut bacon—ensuring a top-notch, no-compromise dining experience
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