In one of my trips to
Manila, my friends and I decided to embark on yet another adventure, this time
to the famous Corregidor. We wanted to
get acquainted with the island knowing it is a memorial for the valor and heroism of
the Filipinos and Americans who defended the island against the invading
Japanese forces during World War II.
Our memorable
trip started at the CCP Complex Terminal in Roxas Boulevard where we took a ferry going to the island. We traveled on calm waters for about an hour and a half before we finally reached the North Dock,
Corregidor's main docking facility located at the Bottomside sector of the
island. I was filled with great
anticipation of finally setting foot and seeing the very historic place.
Upon arrival, we
were given our welcome drinks and had our lunch by the Bloodstone Beach. The beach got its name because it is littered with red-speckled stones. The buffet lunch, which is included in the
tour package, was a delicious mix of Filipino and Continental food complete
with fruits and salad as dessert.
Apparently the little glass of welcome drink was the only drink that
went with the lunch, so we had to purchase our water and softdrinks.
Our group's tramvia |
With stomachs
full, we climbed on our tramvia, one of the colorful Spanish-era style coaches
which are the only transportation used for the guided tours. The tourists have
an option of choosing from English-speaking, Filipino-speaking and
Japanese-speaking guides. Our group got
lucky because our Filipino/English-speaking guide is not only very informative
but also has a great sense of humor.
Throughout the tour, he would throw jokes, which made the tour a lot of fun.
Mile-Long Barracks |
TOPSIDE SECTOR
The island is
divided into sectors with the Topside being the highest sector since it is
elevated about 400 meters or so above sea level. It is here where we found the ruins of the
Mile-Long Barracks and the Cine Corregidor.
The Mile-Long Barracks is a three-storey concrete building where the
headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur was located. It is also where the American officers and
enlisted personnel detailed at the garrison were billeted. It is known to be the world's longest
military barracks and although it is only less than a third of a mile long, it is
still referred to as the Mile-Long Barracks.
The Cine Corregidor used to be a movie theater that catered to the
entertainment needs of the soldiers and their families.
The writer in front of the ruins of Cine Corregidor |
Also found in
this sector are the Spanish Flagpole, Eternal Flame of Freedom, Pacific War
Memorial, and the Spanish Lighthouse.
The historic Spanish Flagpole is a mast from the Spanish warship
captured by the fleet of Gen. George Dewey during the Battle of Manila Bay in
1898. It is where the Filipino flag was
finally hoisted during a very moving ceremony in 1947 when the Americans turned
over Corregidor to the Republic of the Philippines.
The Eternal Flame
of Freedom is a large red steel structure which was erected to commemorate the
sacrifices, courage and heroism of the American and Filipino servicemen.
The Pacific War
Memorial was built in honor of the many American and Filipino soldiers who
served during the Pacific War. Its major
structure is a rotunda where a circular altar is located at its center. Inscripted at the altar is this very poignant message: “Sleep my sons, your duty done, for Freedom's light has come;
sleep in the silent depths of sea, or in your bed of hallowed sod, until you
hear at dawn the low, clear reveille of God.”
It also has a museum where war regalia and memorabilia are on display.
The original
Spanish Lighthouse was destroyed during the war, and the current one was
constructed at exactly the same site.
The lighthouse is the highest point in the island being 628 meters above
sea level. At the top, we were greeted
by the breathtaking view of Corregidor and Manila Bay.
It is also here
in the Topside where most batteries are located, the most popular of which are
the Battery Way, named in honor of 2nd Lieutenant Henry N. Way; Battery Geary, which was named after Capt. Woodbridge Geary; Battery Crockett; Battery Hearn; and
Battery Grubbs, named in honor of 1st Lieutenant Hayden Y. Grubbs. All of these
servicemen the batteries were named after died in the country during World War
II.
MIDDLESIDE SECTOR
The ruins of the Middleside Barracks and Army Hospital are located here. The Middleside Barracks are two
three-storey buildings where personnel of the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment,
91st Philippine Scout Coast Artillery Regiment and the 4th Marine Regiment were
billeted. The Army Hospital was the only medical
facility in the island and shaped like a cross when viewed from the air to make
it easily distinguishable from the other buildings.
The
Filipino-American Friendship Park is also located in the Middleside Sector of
the island. It was built to commemorate
the friendship between the Americans and Filipinos who fought side by side
against the Japanese forces. The major
structures in the park are the statues of an American and Filipino soldiers
holding on to each other.
TAIL END SECTOR
We were able to
visit the Filipino Heroes Memorial, which is one of the latest landmarks constructed in
Corregidor. It was built in honor of our
Filipino forefathers who fought for our country's freedom and independence. There are several murals that tell the
stories of the many struggles the Filipino people underwent from the Battle of
Mactan in 1521 to the People Power Revolution in 1986.
We also got to
drop by the President Manuel Quezon and President Sergio Osmeña Parks. The President Manuel Quezon Park is located
directly across the north entrance of the Malinta Tunnel, while the President Sergio Osmeña
Park is located beside the Filipino Heroes Memorial where the
statue of the late president stands.
MALINTA TUNNEL
Malinta Tunnel
was the island's bomb-proof storage and personnel shelter. It also served as the headquarters of Gen.
Douglas MacArthur and President Manuel Quezon who stayed there together with
their families and countless Filipino and American soldiers during the worst
bombarding from the Japanese forces. One
of the highlights of our tour was the Lights and Sound Show that dramatized the
events that took place during the war.
After the show, we had a chance to see and take pictures of the ruins of
the lateral tunnels, which gave us goosebumps.
It was quite an experience to actually be in the tunnel and envision what
our forefathers endured.
TOUR PACKAGES
Our group availed
the Day Tour package which includes round trip
ferry transfers, entrance fee, guided tour, buffet lunch with welcome drink. We had to pay a separate fee for the Malinta Tunnel Light and Sound Show. Kindly visit the Sun Cruises website at http://www.corregidorphilippines.com for different tour packages and rates. Sun Cruises operates the ferry service and tours in the island.
If you are a
history buff, a relative of a war veteran, or simply a person who loves to
travel and see places, Corregidor promises an unforgettable adventure.
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