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I have lived most of my life in Metro Manila and every time there is an opportunity to escape the city, Bataan rarely comes to mind. Bataan, dubbed as the country’s historical hub, has been an underrated tourist destination despite the fact that it is only approximately three hours away from Metro Manila by bus. A number of bus companies service this province. Among them are Genesis, Bataan Transit, and Victory Liner.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d494049.8222360091!2d120.31227951308517!3d14.669381363770649!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x339614e301987889%3A0x6ae0cb8f5ee13d48!2sBataan!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sph!4v1533910332297&w=600&h=450]

Bataan is a province located in Central Luzon, a peninsula facing the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). It is so close to Manila that it actually encloses the Manila Bay. In fact, there is a ferry (via the 1Bataan Integrated Transport System) that services the Bataan-Manila route. A one-way ferry ride takes only about one hour.

Below are the ferry fares:

• Php 450 per way per head for online bookings
  • With bus drop off from Port of Capinpin to Mariveles and Dinalupihan routes
  • Senior Citizen discounts are not applicable
• Php 799 per way per head for walk-in
  • With bus drop off points to various bus stations in Bataan
  • Senior Citizen discounts are applicable
  • Tickets may be purchased at the ticket booths located at the Port of Orion, Bataan and SM MOA Esplanade Seaside Terminal, Pasay City

Click here to book online.

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From August 2 to 3, I had the opportunity to discover the richness in history, culture, beauty and resources of Bataan when I got invited to witness the launch of the Behold Bataan Escapade Tour Packages by the Bataan Provincial Tourism Office. Instead of traveling to Bataan by sea, I took a land trip together with the other travel bloggers because of inclement weather. Darn.

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I go where the valiants go

A post shared by Joel Jaws Andrada (@jawsandrada) on Aug 1, 2018 at 3:19pm PDT

We arrived at the Bataan Tourism Center in Balanga City safe and sound. Thanks to the exceptional driving skills (naks!) of Roberto Manabat, more popularly known as Vandolph among his peers at the Bataan Tourism Center. Special thanks to Paula Erika Gayeta for seamlessly arranging everything.

We joined other travel bloggers, members of the media and representatives of the different travel agency associations in Central Luzon.

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We were welcomed by the Honorable Governor Alberto S. Garcia himself no less. He briefly shared to us Bataan’s progress as the province having the lowest poverty incidence of 1.16% in the country! Note that the country average is ~22%. During my short visit, I witnessed the people’s enthusiasm to succeed and the provincial government’s dedication to service. There is no doubt that Bataan will be soaring to new heights in business and tourism in the coming years, if not months, to come.

https://www.facebook.com/bataan.tourism/photos/a.2166645323547558.1073742034.1495108960701201/2166676073544483/?type=3&theater

After the short but sweet launch of the Behold Bataan Escapade Packages, we boarded the bus to know, see and experience what Bataan has to offer. We visited the following places of interest in Bataan:

• Bataan Tourism Center, Balanga
• Sinagtala Farm Resort, Orani
• Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Orani
• Museo ni Maria, Orani
• Mt. Samat, Shrine of Valor, Pilar
• Imas Pamangan, Pilar
• The Oriental Hotel, Mariveles
• Camaya Coast Beach Resort, Mariveles
• Bataan World War 2 Museum and Surrender Site Monument, Balanga
• Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga and Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph, Balanga

Bataan Tourism Center, Balanga

Sinagtala Farm Resort, Orani

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Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church, Orani

Museo ni Maria, Orani

Mt. Samat, Shrine of Valor, Pilar

Imas Pamangan, Pilar

The Oriental Hotel, Mariveles

Camaya Coast Beach Resort, Mariveles

Bataan World War 2 Museum and Surrender Site Monument, Balanga

Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga and Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph, Balanga

Below are the exciting Behold Bataan Escapade Tours:

1. Fun-Filled Histo-Cultural Tour – perfect for history buffs

• Duration: 2 days and 1 night
• Package Prices:
  • From Bataan: Php 4,035
  • With round trip ferry: Php 4,935
• Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar
  • With one-hour guided heritage tour
  • Calesa Ride
  • River Cruise
  • Hotel de Oriente Tour
  • Php 500 dining credit in any available dining outlet
• Includes visit to the following places of interest:
  • Bataan Tourism Center
  • Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga
  • Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph
  • Surrender Site Memorial
  • Bataan World War 2 Museum
  • Rolling Tour at Flaming Sword
  • Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor
  • Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower
  • 00 Km Death March Marker (Bagac)
  • Bataan Technology Park

2. Amazing Island Tour – perfect for beachcombers

• Duration: 2 days and 1 night
• Package Prices:
  • From Bataan: Php 3,855
  • With round trip ferry: Php 4,755
• Playa la Caleta
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Beach Tent (1 to 3 persons)
  • Waterfalls Trekking or Miguelito Island
  • Slip N Slide
  • Kayak or Stand Up Paddle
  • Bonfire
• Includes visit to the following places of interest:
  • Bataan Tourism Center
  • Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor
  • Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower

3. Adrenaline Rushing Water and Adventure Tour – perfect for water-lovers

• Duration: 2 days and 1 night
• Package Prices:
  • From Bataan: Php 2,855
  • With round trip ferry: Php 3,755
• Camaya Coast
  • Inflatable Island
  • Banana Boat
  • Kayak ( 1 hour)
• Includes visit to the following places of interest:
  • Bataan Tourism Center
  • Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga
  • Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph
  • Surrender Site Memorial
  • Bataan World War 2 Museum
  • Rolling Tour at Flaming Sword
  • Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor
  • Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower
  • 00 Km Death March Marker (Bagac)
  • Bataan Technology Park

4. Thrilling Outdoor Adventure Tour – perfect for adventurers

• Duration: 2 days and 1 night
• Package Prices:
  • From Bataan: Php 2,885
  • With round trip ferry: Php 3,785
• Sinagtala Farm Resort and Adventure Park
  • Sky Bridge
  • Sky Bike
  • Sky Swing
  • Zipline
• Includes visit to the following places of interest:
  • Bataan Tourism Center
  • Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga
  • Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph
  • Surrender Site Memorial
  • Bataan World War 2 Museum
  • Rolling Tour at Flaming Sword
  • Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor
  • Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower
  • 00 Km Death March Marker (Bagac)
  • Bataan Technology Park

5. Journey To Historical Churches Tour – perfect for the faithful

• Duration: 2 days and 1 night
• Package Prices:
  • From Bataan: Php 2,115
  • With round trip ferry: Php 3,015
• Via Dominicana
  • St. Peter of Verona Church (Hermosa)
  • Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church (Orani)
  • St. Catherine of Siena Church (Samal)
  • St. Dominic De Guzman Church (Abucay)
  • Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph (Balanga)
  • Our Lady of Pillar Church (Pilar)
  • St. Michael de Arcangel Church (Orion)
• Via Sagrada Familia
  • Sto. Cristo Chapel
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel Residencia Sacerdotal
  • Divine Mercy Shrine
  • Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Chapel Bahay Puso
• Includes visit to the following places of interest:
  • Bataan Tourism Center

6. Special Tours

• Educational Tour
• Bataan-Corregidor Tour
  • with DOT Accredited Tour Guide
  • includes all entrance fees
  • Morning and Afternoon Snacks
  • Lunch with Bottled Water
  • Transfer during the whole tour via an air-conditioned van
• Rate applies to a group of ten persons or shared tour
• Private tours will have varying rates depending on the number of guests
• Accommodation may also be arranged upon request
• Additional rate during Holy Week, Christmas, New Year and other holidays
• Pick up areas will be within Balanga City or nearby towns; additional charges for long distance travels
• Price may change without prior notice

Bataan Day Tour Packages

1. Historical Tour

• Rate Per Person: Php 1,250
• Includes visit to:
  • Bataan Tourism Center
  • Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga
  • Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph
  • Surrender Site Memorial
  • Bataan World War 2 Museum
  • Rolling Tour at Flaming Sword
  • Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor
  • Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower
  • 00 Km Death March Marker (Bagac)
  • Bataan Technology Park

2. Historical + Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Day Tour

• Rate Per Person: Php 2,710
• Includes visit to:
  • Bataan Tourism Center
  • Plaza Mayor de Ciudad de Balanga
  • Diocesan Shrine and Cathedral Parish of St. Joseph
  • Surrender Site Memorial
  • Bataan World War 2 Museum
  • Rolling Tour at Flaming Sword
  • Mt. Samat Shrine of Valor
  • Philippine-Japan Friendship Tower
  • 00 Km Death March Marker (Bagac)

3. Eco-Tour

• Rate Per Person: Php 1,405
• Includes visit to:
  • Bataan Tourism Center
  • Lumutan Falls
  • Ambon-Ambon Falls
  • Pawikan Conservation Center or City of Balanga Wetland and Nature Park

You may also watch the short video posted on the Bataan Tourism Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/bataan.tourism/videos/2167883440090413/

For inquiries and bookings, contact the following DOT accredited agencies:

• Aura Mosca Travel Co.
  Manelle Sison
  +63917 – 535 – 3198 / +63998 – 588 – 7715
  sales@auramosca.com

• Punto Travel and Tours
  Esmie Punto
  +63916 – 761 – 6716 / +63995 – 203 – 0680
  puntotravelandtour@gmail.com

• Zseanne Travel and Tours
  Anetthe Montefalco
  +63920 – 967 – 6676 / +63917 – 583 – 2484
  zseannetravelandtours@gmail.com

So what are you waiting for? Book that spectacular Behold Bataan Escapade Tour now and discover Bataan’s rich heritage and captivating beauty. I am preparing a travel video featuring my 2-day visit in Bataan and will publish it soon. Stay tuned!

Signing out for now. Peace!

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