The Challenge

Created over a decade ago, these silent white obelisks stand as mute reminders of the path taken after the Fall of Bataan by nearly 75,000 soldiers, both Philippine and American. 138 Death March markers in all,from Bataan to Tarlac. Each KM is marked by an obelisk: 97 in the province of Bataan alone, 33 in Pampanga, and 8 in Tarlac, to the gates of the former Camp O’Donnell – now the Capas National Shrine.

When these concrete obelisks were created, funds were donated to pay for the construction and installation. Unfortunately, funds collected have not been sufficient for the perpetual maintenance of the markers; due to tropical weather conditions of excessive heat, rain, as well as mildew and flooding in typhoon season, the tile plaques fade and paint peels. Further, given that these obelisks are placed beside a main road, they inevitable suffer damage, some accidental, some negligent, some intentional.

So it has fallen to us now to create a solution to provide for the perpetual maintenance of these obelisks. The original obelisks featured tile plaques that have degraded to illegible and many plaques have simply disappeared. These plaques need to be replaced. In addition, all of the obelisks should be cleaned annually and repaired as necessary. Steps need to be taken to further stabilize these markers, such as improved paint finish, new materials to replace the plaques and construction to replace damaged markers; perhaps relocating these markers further from the road.