Symbolizing the re-established friendship between the Japanese and the Filipinos.
The Province of Bataan does have one of the Philippines' most darkest histories to it. Nevertheless, beautiful monuments have transpired because of that history, and the Philippine-Japanese Friendship Tower is definitely one of them...
Located at a 3-way junction not far from Bataan coast, a monument stands tall; commemorating, celebrating, and sealing the friendship between the Japanese and the Filipino people that is meant to last forever. 89 ft (27 m) high, the Philippine-Japanese Friendship Tower is the Municipality of Bagac's monumental pride. The landmark is in fact also known as the Bagac Friendship Bell Tower.
Part of Bataan's history is definitely the Death March. About 76.000 American and Filipino soldiers that were captured by the Imperial Japanese Army were forced to walk some 120 km through the Province of Bataan. At gunpoint they were told to do that, until they either collapsed to their death, or ultimately reached Camp O'Donnel, one of the most gruesome concentration camps of World War II. Getting back to the Philippine-Japanese Friendship Tower; the Death March started only 200 meters from Bagac's most famous landmark, where the first Death Marker is also located.
After WWII, the Japanese and the Filipinos strove to re-establish friendly ties. Ultimately in 1975, a Japanese Buddhist organization erected and inaugurated the Philippine-Japanese Friendship Tower, which from then on was symbolizing the renewed friendship between Japan and the Philippines.
The Philippine-Japanese Friendship Tower has three pillars that are interconnected by multi-layer rings. It's quite the architectural jewel indeed, and is there for everyone to admire (day and night). Located at a major road and a three-way junction in Bagac, you are very unlikely to miss out on this charming landmark while passing through this municipality in Bataan.
