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- For other places by the name, see Pilar (disambiguation).
Pilar is a town in Bataan, Central Luzon, the Philippines. It is best known as the location of Mount Samat National Shrine.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Pilar is one of the oldest towns of Bataan. Spaniards in the galleon landed in a sitio of Balanga and were greeted by the natives. The place was named in honor of the image of the Our Lady of the Pillar, hence the town was called "Pilar".
During World War II, Pilar was the site of the final defensive line of the Filipino-American forces during the Battle of Bataan against the Japanese in 1942. After a bloody struggle, a section of the line in Mount Samat was breached by the Japanese, which eventually triggered the Fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. Since then, the Philippines' main war memorial has been in Mount Samat.
Pilar is located to the south of Balanga, the capital city of the province. Its downtown is connected to that of Balanga by the Camacho Bridge over the Talisay River. It is home to about 47,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
[edit | edit source]To get to Pilar, take either of these highways: Bataan Provincial Expressway (or more commonly called Roman Superhighway) and Bataan National Road, a narrow two-lane thoroughfare which passes through the town center.
Governor J.J. Linao Highway begins at the junction with Bataan National Road in front of Pilar Municipal Hall in the town center. It leads west towards the highland areas of Pilar, including a junction with Roman Superhighway and Mount Samat, and continues through the South China Sea coast towns of Bagac and Morong until it terminates at Subic Freeport in Olongapo, Zambales.
From Metro Manila, Genesis and Victory Liner operate daily bus trips on their way to Mariveles. Alternatively, disembark at Balanga and take a tricycle or even a jeepney heading to Mariveles, Limay, Lamao or Orion, which passes through downtown Pilar.
Get around
[edit | edit source]Tricycles are the main form of public transportation between barangays.
See
[edit | edit source]Historical sites
[edit | edit source]- 1 Flaming Sword, Barangay Panilao. This is a landmark depicting a hand holding a flaming sword up in the air, which symbolized the Filipino patriots' courage and gallantry as they face the adversary and threats to their democracy and freedom. The ESPADA was inaugurated on April 8, 1967.
- 2 Mount Samat National Shrine, Mount Samat Road, Barangay Diwa, (Turn at the junction from Governor J.J. Linao Highway), ☏ +63 920 174 5556, mtsamatshrine.vmhd@pvao.gov.ph. 8AM-5PM. Also known as Dambana ng Kagitingan or Shrine of Valour, it is a 92-meter-high War Memorial Cross and a national shrine atop Mount Samat, built to honor and remember the gallantry of the Filipino and American soldiers who fought during World War II. Memorial services are conducted every April 9, which is commemorated nationally as Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valour) and known in the province as Bataan Day. Parts of the shrine, including the museum and the cross, are closed for renovation until 2027 to 2028. P75 entrance fee, P60 for seniors, disabled and students, P75 parking free for small vehicles and P200 for buses.
- 3 Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church (Pilar Church), Bataan National Road, Barangay Poblacion, toll-free: +63 47 633 5176. Pilar's main Roman Catholic church, built during the Spanish-era in 1834 using adobe bricks.
- Death March markers. Pilar was the confluence point of Allied POWs from Bagac in western Bataan and Mariveles during the Bataan Death March. Their routes are marked by the life-size white obelisks lining Bataan National Road and Governor J.J. Linao Highway.
Natural attractions
[edit | edit source]
- 4 Dunsulan Falls, Barangay Liyang. This is a waterfall located at the foot of Mount Samat, northeast of the National Shrine.
Do
[edit | edit source]Buy
[edit | edit source]- 1 Pilar Public Market, Panilao.
Eat
[edit | edit source]- 1 IMA Flora's Pamangan, Gov. JJ Linao Highway corner Roman Superhighway, Ala-uli, ☏ +63 998 545 4627. 7AM-9PM, closed on some holidays. A fixture in Pilar since 1979. The family-owned restaurant's strategic location at the junction of two major highways, a buffet of Filipino and Kapampangan dishes for prices less than mall buffet chains and its two expansive mess halls have made it a popular stopover for tourists and regular motorists as seen in the tour buses parked outside. A la carte dining available. Can get crowded at lunch time. Also sells takeaway snacks and pastries. Buffet ₱299. A la carte ₱200–400.
- 2 Marres Kitchen, Gov. JJ Linao Highway, Ala-uli, ☏ +63 998 959 8098, toll-free: 047 612 2042Country code missing. 10AM–8PM Wed-Mon. Filipino cuisine.
- 3 Lingling Garden Restaurant, Burgos Street, Santa Rosa Village, ☏ +63 917 503 5464, toll-free: 047 237 2282Country code missing, linglingrestaurant@gmail.com. 11AM-9PM Tue-Sun. Filipino and Chinese cuisine. Their specials are the crispy pata (pork knuckle), fried pork belly and kare-kare (peanut stew). ₱130-1100.
- 4 Tabing Ilog Bistro, Panilao (beside UCC Convention Center), ☏ +63 926 738 1279, toll-free: 047 613 3609Country code missing.
Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 The Garden Galleries Boutique Hotel, Gov. JJ Linao Highway, Ala-uli, ☏ +63 977 711 7135, gardengallerieshotel@gmail.com. Check-in: 24 hours.
- 2 Nolette's Inn, Gov. JJ Linao Highway, Panilao, toll-free: 047 237 5622Country code missing.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]The lowland areas of Pilar are prone to flooding during the rainy season.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]| Routes through Pilar |
| Olongapo/San Fernando via Dinalupihan ← Balanga ← | N  S | → Orion → Mariveles |
| Morong/Olongapo ← Bagac ← | W  E | → END |