QUEZON CITY — Reaffirming a shared commitment to preserving the nation’s history and artistic legacy, the Mt. Samat Shrine Site Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone Management Committee and the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the conduct of the Mt. Samat FTEZ Bas-Relief Design Competition.

The ceremonial signing was held on March 18, 2026, at the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO) in Camp Aguinaldo, marking a significant step toward honoring Filipino heroism through meaningful and enduring artistic expression.

The event also signaled the formal launch of a collaborative effort to enhance the Mt. Samat National Shrine and incorporate artistic aspects in the newly renovated Mt. Samat Entrance Gate.

The competition aims to establish a world-class bas-relief design that will reflect the bravery of Filipino veterans and the historical significance of the Shrine.

In his welcome remarks, ASec Domingo C. Carbonell, Jr., PVAO Deputy Administrator for Operations, emphasized the role of Mt. Samat National Shrine as a pillar of national identity. He commends the objective of the Competition to provide a platform for Filipino artists and designers, and to also promote the historical significance of the Site.

Serving as the event’s major sponsor, PVB First Vice President Mr. Mike Villa-Real expressed strong support for the initiative, stating, “We are truly honored to be part of this collaboration and to contribute something meaningful and worthy for our World War II veterans, especially those who served in the Battle of Bataan.”

Also in support of this initiative is the PVAO, represented by its Officer-in-Charge, ASec. Restituto L. Aguilar. In a powerful message, he emphasized that the Mt. Samat Shrine is not just a monument but a battlefield memory cast in stone. It stands on a ground where the fate of a nation was tested for the courage and suffering of soldiers who take part in an enduring national story. The Bas Relief, in particular, will serve as a powerful historical canvas. It translates the complexities of war, the valor, the sacrifice, and even the hardship into a form that speaks across generations.

In addition, ASec Aguilar mentioned that, as one who long studied military history, he saw the opportunity of the Competition to deepen public understanding of what has transpired in the Province of Bataan.

Formalizing the Vision

The highlight of the afternoon was the Ceremonial MOU Signing, which brought together

representatives from the Mt. Samat FTEZ, PVB, PVAO, and the Tourism Infrastructure and

Enterprise Zone Authority. The event was also witnessed by members of the jury from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the Philippine World War II Foundation, who signed a Membership Commitment Form to uphold the integrity and excellence of the selection process.

To formally close the event, Atty. Francis Theodore B. Initorio, Administrator of the Mt. Samat FTEZ, expressed his gratitude to partner agencies and emphasized that the Competition marks a

significant milestone in strengthening stakeholder collaboration while promoting historical

significance and national identity. “We are putting a vivid representation of what we consider our collective memory. In doing so, we are defining and affirming who we are as Filipinos,” said Atty. Initorio.

With the MOU signed and the Jury officially constituted, the Competition now moves forward,

inviting the creative community to contribute to the enduring legacy of the Mt. Samat National

Shrine.

Contributed by: Gerren G. Constantino, Mt. Samat FTEZ

The post Honoring Legacy Through Art: Mt. Samat FTEZ, PVB Inks Landmark Deal for National Bas- Relief Design Competition appeared first on 1Bataan.