Visiting the Capas National Shrine in Tarlac

04 November 2018

So on our last day in Tarlac, we didn't want to leave without going to places that we've never been and that's how we ended up going to the Capas National Shrine.

The Capas National Shrine used to be the Capas Concentration Camp where Filipino and American soldiers were detained and imprisoned by the Japanese Imperial Forces after the Fall of Bataan.  More than 30,000 of these soldiers died here and were buried in mass graves.   The Shrine was built to commemorate these fallen soldiers.

As we walked around the shrine, we saw the Obelisk, the Memorial Wall (with the engraved names of the fallen), the Esplanade and took refuge from the heat amidst the many trees.





We weren't sure if the Shrine was going to be open since it was a Sunday but we figured most museums and government historical buildings were open during the weekends to allow people the time to visit so maybe they were open.  True enough, they're open everyday, Monday to Sunday from 8AM to 5PM.

Entrance fees are P10 for students, P20 for adults and P40 parking fees for vehicles.  The parking area gets you close enough to the Memorial Obelisk and is right in front of the restrooms.

Let's take a look at the pictures.  We know that this is a memorial for fallen soldiers so we mean no disrespect when we're smiling in the pictures.  Really, it was funny that we were able to take proper selfies since we couldn't see what we were shooting at all because of the blazing sun.  What pictures you see here were shot with luck and much guesswork.

These pictures were taken in front of the Memorial Obelisk.

Right across it, you'll see the long walkway to the Flagpole and the Ceremonial Plaza near the Entrance.

Next, we headed to the Obelisk.  

On it's facade, you'll see this:

View from inside the Obelisk

Around the Obelisk is a Circular Wall with the names of the fallen engraved on it.  Here are some numbers to show you the magnitude of deaths that war has brought. And most of them who reached Capas never made it out alive.

Another solemn remnant of history is this Bataan Death March Box Car.  The Filipino and American soldiers who were made to walk 105 kilometers from Bataan to San Fernando, Pampanga were then loaded into this boxcar and others like it for transport into the Capas Concentration Camp in Tarlac.

As many as 50-60 people were crammed into this tiny box car and as much as 150 people into a larger one.  The sweltering heat of the Philippines and the heat emanating from the crammed men caused many to die from suffocation.  If you touch the walls of the boxcar, it was hot and it was already in the shade.  I could just imagine being inside and having no air and the air that you get is stale with the stench of sweat, excrement, vomit and urine. It's unbelievably torturous.   Just thinking about it makes my heart heavy with pain and empathy for all of those who suffered through this.

A little walk from the Box Car is this Defenders Hall.  It's like a little museum with pictures of those
times.

In the Hall, there is a section that shows how the Capas National Shrine came to be. 

There was also this section near the Hall.  It is a War Memorial for the fallen Filipino and American soldiers who died from starvation, disease and neglect and were buried in mass graves.  Their bodies were eventually moved to the American Cemetery and the Libingan ng mga Bayani. 

Adjacent to the Philippine Memorial is this:  The Battling Bastards of Bataan.  It is the Memorial for the American soldiers.  

This was a photo we took from the Memorial showing the Defenders Hall and the Obelisk.

This was a solemn place to visit simply because it reminds us of what war is.  What humans can do to other humans during hellish times.  I'm glad that we were able to bring the kids here.  It gives them an actual view of our history, making them remember it with empathy and seriousness and bringing history to life and giving them a chance to fully appreciate what happened.  It gives them a more in depth appreciation and understanding than what they read in history books. 

Word of advice though, bring an umbrella and lots of water because the heat can be intense.  I think there was also a picnic ground there and I think I heard someone mention a hanging bridge but we weren't able to check that out.  Maybe for next time. :)