Capas National Shrine

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Capas National Shrine

Temple

Capas National Shrine in Barangay Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac, honors Allied soldiers who died after the Bataan Death March and the Camp O'Donnell internment. Travellers come to see the obelisk, memorial walls, small museum and the tree-planted commemorative grounds.

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Capas National Shrine essentials

Address: Barangay Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines

The Capas National Shrine stands on the site of the former Camp O’Donnell, the concentration camp where many Allied prisoners were held after the Bataan Death March in 1942. The shrine was proclaimed by President Corazon Aquino in 1991 and occupies about 54 hectares of parkland, with roughly 35 hectares planted with trees each representing those who died.

A 73-metre obelisk symbolizing peace and a black marble memorial wall engraved with the names of more than 30,000 Filipinos incarcerated at Camp O’Donnell were unveiled in 2003. Three smaller memorials nearby honor the Philippines, the United States and the Czech Republic for nationals who died at the camp, while a modest museum and monument built by the veterans group Battling Bastards of Bataan displays rosters and POW-related relics.

Visitors will find open, largely landscaped grounds with a quiet garden reached by a hanging footbridge and displays that include an old Philippine National Railway livestock wagon and railings. The site was formerly under United States Navy control until 1989, and government plans have identified the shrine as part of the wider New Clark City area.

  • 73-metre obelisk and memorial wall: The tall obelisk is the shrine’s focal point and sits beside a black marble wall engraved with names and statistics about the prisoners held at Camp O’Donnell.
  • Tree-planted commemorative grounds: About 35 hectares of the park are planted with trees, each representing those who died at the camp, creating a deliberate, contemplative landscape.
  • Battling Bastards of Bataan museum: A small museum and monument preserve rosters, accounts and artefacts documenting daily life and suffering inside the POW camp.
  • Country memorials: Separate memorials honor Filipino, American and Czech nationals who died while interned at the site.
  • Hanging-bridge garden and railway relics: A quiet garden across a creek and an old PNR livestock wagon help illustrate the conditions and transport used during the wartime period.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Capas National Shrine#

Capas has a tropical savanna climate with a distinct dry season and a pronounced wet season; the driest months are November to February, while the heaviest rains fall in June to September.

Dry season (best)
November - February · 21°C - 32°C (70°F - 90°F)
Lower rainfall and milder conditions make walking the grounds and reading the outdoor memorials more comfortable.
Hot season
March - May · 22°C - 35°C (72°F - 95°F)
These months are hotter with increasing humidity and sunshine, so early-morning or late-afternoon visits are advisable to avoid the heat.
Wet season
June - October · 23°C - 32°C (73°F - 90°F)
Heavy rain and possible muddy conditions can make parts of the park harder to visit and some outdoor displays less comfortable to linger at.

Weather & Climate near Capas National Shrine#

Climate

Capas National Shrine's climate is classified as Tropical Savanna - Tropical Savanna climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 35°C. Abundant rainfall (1963 mm/year), wettest in August with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 59 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JanuaryFebruaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
15°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 21° - 31° 26° 9 mm partly cloudy 78% 1.7 m/s 1.7 very high 11.2h
February Excellent 21° - 33° 27° 5 mm some cloud 72% 1.6 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.5h
March Excellent 22° - 34° 30° 22 mm some cloud 66% 1.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 11.9h
April Very Good 24° - 35° 32° 56 mm some cloud 64% 1.7 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.4h
May Good 24° - 34° 34° 178 mm partly cloudy 73% 1.4 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.7h
June Acceptable 24° - 32° 33° 262 mm overcast 84% 1.6 m/s 2.2 extreme 12.9h
July Acceptable 24° - 31° 32° 387 mm overcast 88% 1.7 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.8h
August Acceptable 24° - 31° 31° 428 mm overcast 90% 1.6 m/s 1.9 very high 12.5h
September Acceptable 24° - 31° 32° 309 mm overcast 89% 1.2 m/s 2.0 very high 12.1h
October Good 23° - 31° 31° 194 mm partly cloudy 87% 1.6 m/s 1.9 very high 11.7h
November Good 23° - 31° 27° 85 mm partly cloudy 87% 1.9 m/s 1.7 very high 11.3h
December Excellent 21° - 31° 26° 28 mm partly cloudy 84% 2.3 m/s 1.6 very high 11.1h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Capas National Shrine#

The shrine is located in Barangay Aranguren on the plains of central Luzon and is accessed from the town of Capas; the larger provincial centre is Tarlac City.

The nearest major airport is Clark International Airport serving the Clark/Mabalacat/Angeles City area; from there or from Tarlac City, the last stretch to the shrine is normally by taxi or local jeepney from Capas town. Rail services in the region are limited or subject to change, so use road transport for the final approach and check local services before you travel.

Tips for Visiting Capas National Shrine#

  • Observe quiet, respectful behavior throughout the grounds and especially near the obelisk and memorial walls.
  • Plan visits outside the hot midday hours in the dry season and bring sun protection and water for walking the open grounds.
  • Araw ng Kagitingan (Valour Day), on 9 April, is the main annual commemoration and the site can be busy on that date.
  • Parts of the park are open-air and can get muddy in heavy rain, so wear appropriate footwear and check weather conditions.
  • Confirm access and any visitor restrictions locally before arrival, as hours and services may change.