To commemorate the 83rd anniversary of Araw ng Kagitingan, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), through the Mt. Samat Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone (MS-FTEZ) Office, proudly unveiled the newly completed Underground Museum at the historic Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. graced the viewing of the newly curated Bataan Legacy Underground Museum on April 9.
The Mt. Samat Shrine, first inaugurated on April 9, 1970, stands as a powerful symbol of the bravery of Bataan’s defenders and the country’s dedication to remembering its past.
Located beneath the Shrine’s colonnade, the redeveloped museum has been transformed into a state-of-the-art educational and heritage center under TIEZA’s MS-FTEZ initiative. With the theme “The Legacy of Bataan and Its Heroes,” the museum offers a deeper, immersive narrative of World War II.
Through virtual and augmented reality, holograms, and interactive storytelling, the museum offers a 20– to 30-minute journey through the events of the Second World War. The museum now features nine interconnected exhibit themes, including Bataan as a Battlefield, War Heroes, The Fall of Bataan, and The Heroism in Bataan.
A significant point of interest is the original 1970 marker, symbolizing the enduring commitment to preserving history.
The exhibit also paid tribute to veterans and their families whose sacrifices helped shape the nation.
To mark Philippine Veterans Week, TIEZA – MS-FTEZ also joined the “Parada ng Kagitingan” float parade on April 8 and will launch the “Faces of Valor” photo exhibit at the University of Santo Tomas from April 23 to 30, showcasing past and prospective Congressional Gold Medal awardees.
The Mt. Samat Underground Museum is set to reopen its doors to the public this June, offering a vital space for education, commemoration, and reflection within the Shrine of Valor.
