A perfect weekend getaway – full of amazing stories of the World War II.
Corregidor – also known as “The Rock” was formerly an island fortress, fortified with massive mortars or batteries and high-powered guns. It entails a very rich history on World War II which revolve on the battles between the Japanese and the American soldiers. Alongside the Americans, come the Filipino people that fought bravely on those days.
Today, it is one of the National Heritages of the Philippines. It focuses on retelling the historical battles and stories to tourists that come visit the island. It is really a different experience for these stories to be told on the place where it actually happened. Not only do the place enlive the memories of the battle, but also protrude the military strategies, tactics, and courage of the soldiers.
How to Get Here
Via Suncruises
A ferrying service company -located near the Cultural Center Complex in Roxas Boulevard Pasay City, that provides guided tours and hotel accomodation to tourists wanting to visit Corregidor. You could visit there website here to see specific rates and services offered.
Via Bataan
If you are not in a hurry or far from Manila, you could try public transportation going to Bataan. After reaching Bataan, you would be presented with a lot of options (boating companies) going to Corregidor. Villa Carmen will charge 2000 Peso for a day trip per boat and their boats can handle 10 persons. 3500 Pesos to get you there and pick you up a few days later. It is 4000 Pesos to Carabao Island and Fraile Island, the concrete Battleship. Reference: http://corregidor.proboards.com/thread/692
The Budget
The listed budget only include expenses related to the travel and exclude miscellaneous expenses like food tripping, shopping, bars, etc..
Suncruise day tour: 2300php – This includes guide, lunch, and a complete day tour at Corregidor.
Overnight Room Rate: 1500php – Single bed with breakfast inclusion.
Other Activities: refer to this link – Ask your guide/hotel receptionist for the rates. (Kayaking, ATVs, Zipline, Lights show, Lateral Tour)
Corregidor may be called a historical warehouse, not only because of thousands of stories stored in it, not only because its relevance goes beyond our freedom itself, but for reasons that its existence could bring you back to the past.
For starters, you could begin the journey following your guide around the Island. On the other hand, you could opt to bring your own bicycle and explore the island at your own pace. Tip – If you are going to spend the night here, then better go with your guide the first day, cycle around the island before it ends, go ghost hunting at night inside Malinta Tunnel, watch the sunset set, then spend the next day to look around or take other tour packages! You could explore all 23 Batteries (series of guns) and see how Corregidor defended itself from attackers.
Malinta Tunnel
The main dish on the island! This is the tunnel that survived almost 600 pounds of bombs dropped in just one day – Not counting the succeeding days yet! Because of its bomb proof characteristics, this is where most supplies were kept during the war. This is also where wounded soldiers were brought for treatment. You could explore its magnificent laterals and sub-laterals, and go ghost hunting at night!
Withstanding throughout the time, the Malinta Tunnel remains standing – reminding us how freedom was hardly fought.
Inside one of Malinta Tunnels Laterals.
Battery Grubbs
Battery (series of guns) Grubbs is also known as the “Disappearing Gun” – or at least one of the six disappearing guns. It uses a counterweight in order for it to be hidden after firing! It even uses a smokeless powder for enemies to hardly detect where a shot was fired!
Though this may be a logically great tactic, it was not as affective in World War II where planes already existed. It was initially made for World War I as the newer guns were not yet installed at this time (about a year delayed). Nevertheless, soldiers at Corregidor fought with what they got and fought bravely with all these disadvantages.
One of Battery Grubb’s 10-inch gun.
Battery Hearn
The biggest gun installed in Corregidor. It’s 12-inch seacoast guns have a maximum range of 6 miles and could fire in all directions.
Interestingly, this gun was captured by the Japanese when they invaded Corregidor, and forced an American to repair it. Though this American sabotagged the repair to alter its aim.
One last major addition to the 23 guns installed in Corregidor – the 12-inch Battery Hearn.
Battery Way
Probably the best artilleries that serve Corregidor at that time, these 12-inch mortars were designed to pierce thick deck warships and protect the island from paratroopers that try to land on it.
A nice trivia on these mortars is that it requires 14 men just to load its 700 pound explosive mortar! Talk about fire power! Sadly, only three of these mortars were actually working when the war started. Then two were destroyed by a bomb that killed almost 50% of the Battery crew.
These 12-inch mortars serve as Corregidor’s bread and butter against ships and paratroopers.
Mile-long Barracks
The longest barracks in Asia by that time. It actually measures only a third of a mile end to end. Though since it has 3 floors in it, well… you get the point.
The mile long barracks serve as a soldier’s haven by that time.
Aboard the Trams which were designed based from the early ways of navigating around the island.
Japanese Garden of Peace
After the war ended, a photograph emerged that contains a man standing by a cemetery in Corregidor. Japan saw it, and requested to bring back all Japanese soldiers back to their land. This was where peace all starts.
A memorial for the Japanese soldiers who fought in Corregidor.
The statue refers to the Buddhist embodiment of Mercy.
Filipino Heroes Memorial
See Philippine Heroes’ contributions and relevance accross the park. It also features several paintings inside a small room, which depict the lives of Filipinos in the Japanese regime. Each painting represent several events during the Japanese era. From the bayonetting of babies, the services of sex slaves, the death march, to the cruel burning of soldiers. It instills how war will never have a winner.
Filipino Heroes that gave way to our freedom.
Pacific War Memorial
The War Memorial serves as a reminder of the bravery the soldiers shown at Corregidor. This dome interestingly contains an open center where the sun would only shine on the exact center of the shrine at 12 noon on the 6th of May – The time Corregidor fell into Japanese hands.
A moment of silence for those who gave up their lives at Corregidor.
Eternal Flame of Freedom – symbol for the determination and sacrifice to uphold freedom for generations to come.
Corregidor Inn
The one and only Inn at the island. If you opt for a night adventure, better stay here for awhile and enjoy Corregidor’s sunset and early sunrise atop the Inn.
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