Abucay, Bataan

Abucay (Kapampangan: Balen ning Abucay; Tagalog: Bayan ng Abucay) is a third-class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 37,719 people. The mainly agricultural and fishing town is located on the eastern part of the Bataan Peninsula, along Manila Bay, with a total land area of 7,972 hectares (19,700 acres). Its westernmost elevated section is located within the Bataan National Park.

The municipality is about 113 kilometres (70 mi) from Manila. It is accessible via the Bataan Provincial Expressway, off Exit 25, or the parallel National Road in Bataan.

Etymology

Abucay originated from "abu-kinaykay" meaning "digging the ashes or fire debris". A Spaniard arrived in the town amid a big fire that destroyed properties. The natives were busy digging the debris with shovel ("kinaykay").

Geography

Abucay is located in the north-eastern part of Bataan province with a total land area of 7,972 hectares (19,700 acres).

Topography of Abucay varies from the mountainous terrain of Mount Natib caldera in the west to the coastal areas of the province along the shore of Manila Bay. Six rivers with a combined length of 37 kilometres (23 mi) originate from the mountain flowing in the west-to-east direction.

Bataan

Bataan (/bɑːtɑːˈɑːn/) is a province in the Philippines situated in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the city of Balanga. Occupying the entire Bataan Peninsula on Luzon, Bataan is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north. The peninsula faces the South China Sea to the west and Subic Bay to the north-west, and encloses Manila Bay to the east.

The Battle of Bataan is famous in history as one of the last stands of American and Filipino soldiers before they were overwhelmed by the Japanese forces in World War II. The Bataan Death March was named after the province, where the infamous march started.

Located within the province is the Philippines' only nuclear power plant, the Bataan.

History

In 1647, Dutch naval forces landed in country in an attempt to seize the islands from Spain. The Dutch massacred the people of Abucay in Bataan.

Historian Cornelio Bascara documents that the province of Bataan was established in January 11, 1757 by Governor-General Pedro Manuel Arandia out of territories belonging to Pampanga and the corregimiento of Mariveles which, at the time, included Maragondon, Cavite across the Manila Bay.

Bataan (disambiguation)

Bataan is a province of the Philippines.

Bataan may also refer to:

Places

Other uses

See also

Bataan (film)

Bataan (1943) is a war film about the defense of the Bataan Peninsula during World War II. It was made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, directed by Tay Garnett and produced by Irving Starr, with Dore Schary as executive producer. It starred Robert Taylor, Lloyd Nolan, Thomas Mitchell and Robert Walker.

Historical background

The Battle of Bataan followed the Japanese December 1941 invasion of the Philippines and lasted from January 1 to April 9, 1942. The American and Filipino forces retreated from Manila to the nearby mountainous Bataan Peninsula for a desperate last stand, hoping for a relief force. However, the Allies were being driven back in all areas of the Pacific theater and none could be sent. After three months of stubborn resistance, the starving and malaria-ridden defenders surrendered and were forced to undertake the infamous Bataan Death March.

Plot

The US Army is conducting a fighting retreat. A high bridge spans a ravine on the Bataan Peninsula. After the army and some civilians cross, a group of eleven hastily assembled soldiers from different units is assigned to blow it up and delay Japanese rebuilding efforts as long as possible. The rear guard is a mixed lot, including: