Capas National Shrine

Capas National Shrine is a 54-hectare memorial park in Barangay Aranguren, Capas, Tarlac, Philippines, built on the former Camp O'Donnell concentration camp site. It honors Filipino and American soldiers who died during the Bataan Death March and subsequent imprisonment in World War II. Centered on a 70-meter obelisk, the shrine features memorial walls engraved with names, a museum, and landscaped grounds commemorating the sacrifices of prisoners of war.

Visitors can expect a large, open and solemn memorial park set on flat terrain with landscaped gardens and tree-lined paths. The central feature is a 70-meter obelisk with an eternal flame, surrounded by a circular memorial wall engraved with names of those who died. Areas to explore include the museum with wartime artifacts and photographs, a small chapel, and the former camp grounds. The atmosphere is quiet and reflective, suitable for sightseeing, photography and learning about World War II history.

Capas National Shrine stands on the site of Camp O'Donnell, the final destination of the Bataan Death March in April 1942. After the surrender of Bataan, tens of thousands of Filipino and American prisoners of war were marched to the camp where many died due to harsh conditions. The shrine was established to honor the estimated 30,000 Filipino and American soldiers who perished at the camp and was proclaimed a national shrine in 1991.

The shrine is a national memorial and focal point for annual observance of Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor) every April 9, honoring the courage and sacrifice of Filipino and American veterans. It serves as a place of remembrance, education and pilgrimage for families, veterans and visitors.