Wawa, Pilar

Pilar, officially the Municipality of Pilar ( tl, Bayan ng Pilar), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Bataan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 46,239 people.

The Bataan Government Center and the historic Mount Samat National Shrine (''Dambana ng Kagitingan'') are both situated within the municipality in Barangays Diwa and Ala-uli, respectively.

Etymology

The town was named in the honor of the image of the Our Lady of the Pillar, hence the town was called "Pilar".

History

One of the oldest towns of Bataan, Pilar was previously part of Pampanga. Spaniards in the galleon landed in a ''sitio'' of Balanga and were greeted by the natives.

Geography

Pilar is located in eastern part of Bataan Peninsula, bordering Balanga (the provincial capital) to the north, Orion to the south, Bagac to the west, and Manila Bay to the east.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the municipality has a land area of constituting of the total area of Bataan.

Climate

Barangays

Pilar is politically subdivided into 19 barangays.

Demographics

In the 2020 census, Pilar had a population of 46,239. The population density was .

Economy

Government

Pursuant to the Local Government Code of the Philippines", the political seat of the municipal government is located at the Municipal Hall. In the Spanish period, the ''Gobernadorcillo'' was the Chief Executive who held office in the ''Presidencia''. During the American rule (1898–1946), the elected Mayor and local officials, including the appointed ones held office at the Municipal Hall. The legislative and executive departments perform their functions in the Sangguniang Bayan (Session Hall) and Municipal Trial Court, respectively, and are located in the Town Hall.

Elected officials

Pilar, Bataan's elected officials are Mayor Alice D. Pizarro ( National Unity) and Vice Mayor Marino Caguimbal ( National Unity).

The eight Sangguniang Bayan Members led by the Vice Mayor hold office at the Pilar Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall.

Tourism

Landmarks and festivals of Pilar include:

* Mount Samat Zipline — longest zipline in Luzon
* Veterans Park — located in Poblacion, Piazza Della Virgen del Pilar
* Mount Samat National Shrine — War Memorial Cross some above sea level.
* The Flaming Sword — located at Panilao, 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.
* Dunsulan Falls
* ''Araw ng Kagitingan'' — celebrated every April 9

Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church

The 1801 Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church (Nuestra Señora del Pilar Parish Church, belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Balanga (''Dioecesis Balangensis'') Suffragan of the Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga.

Notable personalities

* Mel Tiangco — Barangay Santa Rosa - news Anchor of GMA7
* Manuel C. Herrera — lawyer, an instructor in the University of the Philippines

Gallery

File:Pilar,Bataanjf3772_06.JPG, Health center
File:01195jfBurgos Hall Center Offices Shrine Pilar Bataanfvf 03.JPG, The Flaming Sword Shrine
File:Pilar,Bataanjf3783_10.JPG, Port and bancas
File:0945jfAlauli Poblacion Rizal Park Pillar Church Pilar Bataanfvf 03.JPG, Our Lady of the Pillar Parish Church
File:PilarBataanjf3804_01.JPG, Light house

References

External links

*Philippine Standard Geographic Code

{{Authority control

Municipalities of Bataan
Populated places on Manila Bay