By Mar T. Supnad
PILAR, Bataan — For the first time, visitors will be given free access to the elevator leading to the top of Mount Samat’s giant cross, where one can see a panoramic view of this historic mountain – the site of one of the fiercest battles in World War II.
Manny Castillo of the Mt. Samat National Shrine said fees on the elevator will be waived today as many visitors are expected ahead of the “Araw ng Kagitingan” (Day of Valor) holiday.
“This is part of the program of Bataan tourism and local officials to rekindle the spirit of nationalism as we mark the 76th Araw ng Kagitingan on April 9,” said Castillo.
While the elevator ride is free, he appealed to visitors to maintain orderliness as numbers will be assigned to each person going up the giant cross to avoid getting ahead of one another.
Upon reaching the viewing floor of the 36-story giant cross, one can see clearly the Manila Bay and parts of the coastal areas of Pampanga and Bulacan.