Bataan Peninsula has been an important place in the history of the Second World War, when it was bitterly fought over by the Japanese and the Allies. The Fall of Bataan ion April 9, 1942 is remembered with respect and has been designated a national holiday. There are seven memorials and monuments to remind one of the terrible loss of life such as the 300ft high cross on Mount Samat, near the provincial capital Balanga. Corregidor Island, the scene of another great World War II battle, lies off the south coast of Bataan. It can be reached from Manila by hydrofouil. "The Rock" as it is called was made famous by the allies stubborn defense of it against Japanese bombardment in spring 1942. Corregidor has been rehabiliated into a war memorial, and offers aside from World War II memorabilia, a good hotel, attractive surroundings in which to walk and hike, a small golf course and a beach