The Balangiga Bells
Balangiga Church, Eastern Samar

The Balangiga Bells are three bronze church bells that became powerful symbols of Philippine resistance against American colonial rule. In 1901, the town of Balangiga became the site of a surprise attack by Filipino revolutionaries against U.S. forces during the Philippine-American War. In retaliation, American troops launched a brutal campaign across Samar and took the bells as war trophies.

Originally housed in the San Lorenzo de Martir Church of Balangiga, these bells were used to signal mass—and on that fateful day, they rang out as a warning and rallying call. After the conflict, the U.S. Army seized the bells and brought them to Wyoming and South Korea, where they remained for over a century.

After decades of advocacy and diplomacy, the Balangiga Bells were finally returned to the Philippines on December 11, 2018.

Featured in Escapades - Samar Edition - August 2025 issue
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