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 join 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 over an hour. I learned the passengers were divided into various groups, each with its own customised itinerary, tour guide, and transport. Our group seemed to be the largest, consisting of more than forty people.

Upon arrival on the island, we immediately boarded our assigned transport, a "Tram" or Tranvia bus said to be a replica of the tram from the pre-war American era. On the tram, we met our tour guide. After a brief stop at San Jose Chapel for a celebration of the Holy Eucharist, we started the guided tour. We first went to an area near 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 MacArthur Statue near North Dock for a brief stop and to take pictures.

We had an early buffet lunch at the Corregidor Inn, the best hotel on 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 at 12 noon. Then, we proceeded to Battery Way, an installation of four huge 12-inch (305 mm) M1890 mortar carriages. It was one of the best places to take photographs. Next, we transferred to Battery Hearn, one of the long-range gun installations on the island. It was capable of firing a 1,000-pound shell at a target up to 17 miles (7.4 km) away.

Next, we visited Battery Grubb, where the so-called Disappearing Gun was located. It was named as such because of its capacity to be lowered automatically down into 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 presidency of Ferdinand Marcos with the help of a large grant from the US government. The following could be seen there: the Death March Statue, the Museum, the Dome of Valor, and the Eternal Flame of Freedom. Also in Top Side were the Mile-Long Barracks, Parade Ground / Drop Zone, Theatre, and Command Post.

We made a quick pass-through to the restored and functioning Spanish Lighthouse, also located in 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 educational. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and amusing; there were no dull moments.

It is a good thing the government and many private individuals, through the Corregidor Foundation, Inc. (CFI), are working to preserve and maintain a key part of our country's historic 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 the time and resources to visit and learn about our culture and history on the island. Given another chance and the means, I would gladly visit it again with my friends and family. It was a trip well worth the cost and effort.