Constructing the Dambana ng Kagitingan

The Dambana ng Kagitingan (File Photo)

Perched atop Mt. Samat in Pilar, Bataan, the Dambana ng Kagitingan—or Shrine of Valor—stands as one of the Philippines’ most iconic historic landmarks.

Architect Lorenzo del Castillo designed the monument, while Engr. David M. Consunji and his construction company, D.M. Consunji, Inc. (DMCI), completed its construction.

“This was a monumental cross built to honor the Filipino fighters of World War II,” Engr. Consunji said in his memoir, A Passion to Build.

Constructing the Dambana ng Kagitingan was not an easy undertaking.

The terrain of Mt. Samat posed significant challenges for Engr. Consunji and his construction firm.

Engr. Consunji—recognized as the “Grandfather of the Philippine Construction Industry”—recalled the project as particularly difficult because of the mountain terrain.

Despite these challenges, the Dambana ng Kagitingan was successfully completed by DMCI in 1970.

Today, the monument stands as a national landmark and a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Filipino soldiers.

It is one of the many historic landmarks and large-scale infrastructure projects DMCI has built over the past 70 years.