a trip down memory lanes

In a span of six months after the long plan for this most anticipated trip was first brought up, I stand to testify that our weekend stay on the island was a big hit! The tour package was a combination of discovery of the atoll’s pristine nature sanctuaries, perpetuation of the sound value of Philippine history and a highly commendable customer service. Despite a quite drizzling day, Sun Cruises and Corregidor Inn didn’t disappoint us.

After crossing the stretch of Manila Bay off to our destination, we disembarked MV Sun Cruiser II with so much ease. Smiles joyfully emerged on our faces as we finally reached Corregidor Island. A group of six wonderful tranvias―buses of Sun Cruises to transport the guests to each island spots―with individual tour guides (whom I adored so much for their brilliance in historical knowledge) welcomed us tourists.

We were first introduced to the ruins of the military barracks―the original structures of which were not restored to preserve the picture of severe damage caused by the war and to pay tribute to the dignified Filipino and American soldiers who served in the battlefield. From the relics alone of Middleside and Mile Long Barracks, we gained that notable idea how severe the exchange of bombings was during the World War II.

Visited next was the most intact of Corregidor's artillery batteries, the Battery Way. Named in honor of 2nd Lt. Henry N. Way who died fighting for independence in 1900, it was the last of the military station’s concrete artillery to cease fire before the surrender of Bataan. Battery Way is armed with four (4) 12-inch M1890 mortar carriages, each of which is fired by a standard crew consisting of 14 men. Just imagine how forceful those defense systems were!

Given only a few minutes to take our pictures, each one tries to promptly board the tram every time the itinerary bell clangs. Following the first armory tour was the stopover at one of the oldest landmarks in the island, Corregidor Lighthouse. Built at 628 feet above sea level, the light from the beacon could be seen for 36 miles out in the China Sea. We stayed a bit longer because of the shopping outlets surrounding the place. Sold were island memorabilia like novelty shirts, baseball caps, coffee mugs, ref magnets, and the most famous (and the only stuff I availed at 50 bucks each) custom-made key chains.

We explored afterward the Eternal Flame of Freedom Monument located somewhere behind the Pacific War Memorial Dome of Peace. The structure significantly commemorates sacrifices and struggle by the US and Philippines to safeguard the national freedom. The rain drenched everyone as we headed to the nearby museum. I admittedly had deeper appreciation of the coalition between the Filipino and American soldiers who fought for peace and national welfare during the Japanese siege upon getting the drift of the historical record worth remembering.

After which we were brought to Battery Crokett. As described by our seventy-two-year-old assigned tour guide, this gun emplacement was one of the six "disappearing" gun batteries that formed the interlocking field of fire which totally bordered the island. Armed with two (2) 12-inch seacoast guns mounted on disappearing carriages behind a solid bulwark, the artillery was capable of 170-degree traverse with overlapping fields. It’s located at the central of the island to fire basically south across the major southern channel into Manila Bay.

The final stop before having our lunch at the hotel was the Malinta Tunnel Light and Sound Show. Hesitations overpowered me as I saw the dark long tunnel, shield with a huge, black painted gateway we all have to enter in. But all those unwanted doubts flew away as soon as I heard the voice at the background retelling the fall of Corregidor and its heroes’ legacy of valor. The show refreshed everyone on the lives these people lived during the war.

After more than two hours of roaming around the island―which apparently was just first of the three-part tour itinerary―the tranvia came to bring everyone who then was starving for a sumptuous buffet lunch, to Corregidor Inn.

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