Corregidor

Arriving after a ferryboat ride that lasted for approximately twenty-five minutes and taking my first few steps on the well-known island of Corregidor, I immediately felt the echoing aura of the events that unfolded in the historical island move my soul through an emotional spectrum. Corregidor, once a host to military strongholds due to its’ tactically advantageous position, is a tadpole shaped island in the entrance of Philippine’s Manila Bay. Aside from its’ rich history, it is also a location one may find beauty in. Although the site hosts much evidence of destruction and decay, the island has a beauty truly unique to it. From the eerie remains of hospitals and military bases to dormant guns and turrets, the island is a unique tourist destination and historical landmark in the Philippines.

In my tour of the awe-inspiring island known as Corregidor, I encountered the battery areas. Here, one I saw remnants of old guns used during the time of World War II.  They were used to repel the invading Japanese soldiers. However, faith was not kind to the American and Filipino soldiers and upon the destruction of the battery areas by means of air bombings, and the military might of the Japanese soldiers, the island of Corregidor was taken and consequently, the Philippines was captured by the Japanese. In my tour I was given the chance to see the destroyed bombshells, guns, and turrets. I was even able to get a close look at some of these and touch their rusty surfaces. The texture of the metal and paint was enough to let me know that these guns were very old. Some of these artifacts, however, were interestingly undamaged by the war. Of course they did lose their capability of being used in combat as the years passed. Battery Way and Battery Geary some of the main landmarks the island and its’ historical background has to offer every tourist who visits.

One other landmark in Corregidor is the Pacific War Memorial located on the western areas of the island of Corregidor. I visited this place and noticed that it had a distinct solemnity about it. The place seemed peaceful and beautiful; a perfect resting spot for souls lost to war. The memorial was built by the United States Government in 1968 to honor the deceased Filipino and American soldiers who sacrificed their lives in an effort to protect the country from its enemies during the second World War. The memorial features monuments that honor these heroes. One of these is an altar where at exactly noon every year on the sixth of May, sunlight strikes the center of the altar. Visitors are asked to take a moment of silence to mourn, as this is the moment when the Philippines fell into the hands of the invading Japanese. I really wished I could have witnessed that as it would have been an awe-inspiring scene.

Although there are many locations to visit in the small and mysterious island of Corregidor, there is one location that I found most interesting. My experience in touring the Malinta Tunnel was probably the more enjoyable event of my tour. Instead of using the built-in lights within the tunnels, we were allowed to travel the tunnels using only our flashlights. It was truly an enjoyable experience, as the deeper parts of the tunnels had no source of sunlight. This was undoubtedly proven when we all turned off our handheld lighting devices. In the darkness and silence, we felt what it was like when the United States soldiers and the Filipino soldiers lost electrical power during the war as the tunnels served as one of the more secure military strongholds. I could relate to their feelings of helplessness as they were blinded by the darkness. There is absolutely no source of light for the deeper parts of the tunnels. In fact I even hit my head on one of the walls as I foolishly moved around.

Before leaving the island, I visited the museum. This is an important portion of the island to visit as it really gives one the “full experience.” Here, one can learn more about the stories of the past through the articles contained in the museum. Here I found rusted swords, old handguns, paintings, maps, and other curiosity inducing items. Within that small room, so much history was contained. I am glad I did not miss out on visiting this part of the island.

The island of Corregidor is a true “must see” location as it is both a tourist destination and a historical landmark. It hosts beautiful sceneries and historical facts. One should definitely visit this island, as it is a truly unique experience to do so.

- Antonio Daniel M. Bernas 090476