Corregidor Island

I was lucky to be part of a company-tour to see Corregidor Island. Thanks to the learning initiative of the management and HR Department of Dualtech Center (DC), I was invited to come with the faculty and staff of DC.

We rode a Sun-Cruises fast ferry docked at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex. It was similar to the SuperCat fast ferries in the Visayas. The boat-trip took more than one hour. I learned the passengers were divided into various groups with its own customized itinerary, tour-guide and transport. Our group seemed to be the biggest group of more than forty (40) persons.

Upon arrival to the island, we immediately boarded our assigned transport, a “Tram” or Tranvia bus said to be a replica of the tram of the pre-war American era. At the tram, we met our tour-guide. After a brief stop at a chapel, San Jose Chapel, for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we started the guided tour. We first went to an area near a beach, South Beach, where the civilian community, called Barrio San Jose, used to stand. The beach has a dock, called South Dock. Then, we proceeded to the Gen. Douglas McArthur Statue near the North Dock for a brief stop and picture-taking.


We took an early buffet lunch at the Corregidor Inn, the best hotel in the island! The meal was excellent according to my standard of quality and quantity.


After lunch, we continued with the guided tour. We stopped at the Middle-side Barracks. It was already 12 noon when we stopped there. Then, we proceeded to Battery Way, an installation of four (4) huge 12-inch (305mm) M1890 mortar carriages. It was one of the best places to take pictures. Then, we transferred to Battery Hearn, one of the long-range gun installations in the island. It was capable of firing a 1,000 pound (lbs.) shell to a target as far as 17 miles or 7.4 kms.


Then, we visited Battery Grubb, where the so-called Disappearing Gun was located. It was called as such because of its capacity to be lowered automatically down to its concrete protective encasement after firing a round.

Then, we went to the Top-side area where the Pacific War Memorial complex was located, built during the time of Pres. Ferdinand Marcos, helped by a big grant from the US government. Could be seen there were the following: Death March Statue, Museum, the Dome of Valor and the Eternal Flame of Freedom. Also in the Top-side were the Mile-long Barracks, Parade Ground / Drop Zone, Theater and Command Post.

We made a quick pass-through to the restored and functioning Spanish Lighthouse also located at the Top-side Area.

The final stop was the Light and Sound Show at the Malinta Tunnel. It was a way to relive life in the Tunnel during the war. The experience was very moving.

For me, the trip was both recreational and a learning trip. Our tour-guide was knowledgeable and amusing. There were no dull moments.

It's a good thing the government and many private persons, through the Corregidor Foundation, Inc. (CFI), are working on preserving and maintaining one of our country's historical heritage. In my opinion, the island is an eloquent though silent witness to our nation's participation in the Second World War.  Young people should find time and resources to see and learn our culture and history at the island. If given another chance and means, I would gladly visit it again together with my friends and kin. It was a trip worth the cost and effort.