Corregidor Island Tour in Manila - Philippines

Have you ever wondered what life was like during World War II? Boasting a rich war history, Corregidor can take you back in time when Filipinos and Americans showed bravery and heroism as they took a stand against the overwhelming Japanese forces.

Corregidor, a tadpole-shaped rocky island, is located 30 miles west of Manila. It is situated in Manila Bay. It is also considered to be the last remains of the Corregidor Caldera volcano.

At the time of the Spaniards, this island served as a docking station for naval forces, a warning post for Manila against enemy ships, and as a penitentiary institution. During the Americans, this island served as a military reservation, fortified to repel any attack from the sea. During World War II, the island was the last fortress to withstand the conquering Japanese forces. In May 6, 1942, the island fell to the enemies despite the gallant combined resistance of the Filipinos and the Americans. Almost 3 years after the fall, the island was regained by the American and Filipino forces, and was led by General Douglas MacArthur.

Today, Corregidor is a memorable battleground open for people who want to get a glimpse of the past. Operated by Sun Cruises, different tours are available. Day tour, which includes lunch buffet, shrine and entrance fees, and a guided island tour, starts at P1,999 per person. An overnight stay is also available. A package for students on a group tour, which starts from P999 per person, is also provided. There are also packages for team building activities.

Daily ferry trips start at 8:00 am at the Hoverferry terminal at Roxas Boulevard. It takes more than an hour to reach Corregidor. People use streetcars, known as tramvias, for the island tour.

There are four sectors in the island that can excite visitors. They are the Topside, Middleside, Bottomside and Tail End sectors. Aside from the many batteries that lay scattered throughout the island, each sector exhibits a number of attractions.

In the Topside sector, which is the highest area in the island, one can see the remains of the Mile-Long Barracks, a 3-storey building known to be the worlds longest barracks for the military. An old Spanish lighthouse, originally built in 1836, is also situated in this area. The Pacific War Memorial can also be found here to pay tribute to those people who served the war.

The Middleside sector houses a number of parks and barrack ruins. Friendship Park is located here to remember the friendship between Filipinos and Americans during wartime. The Aviary Park, a 3,000 sq. meter complex, is a home to several local and foreign bird species, like the red-vested cockatoos, parrots, and Philippine horned owls.

The Bottomside sector shows a number of docks and parks. In the South Dock, people can take home the bloodstones, which are white stones with blood-like stains. San Jose Chapel and the Corregidor Inn are also located in this sector. This sector also has the famous Malinta Tunnel, which used to contain huge number of ammunition, food and supplies during the war.

The Tail End sector has the Kindley Field, a small runway operated during the pre-war period. It also has the Filipino Heroes Memorial with 14 murals depicting struggles of Filipinos at different times.

Aside from the many attractions, the island also offers hiking trails, biking, camping, jungle survival programs and island boat tour.

Corregidor is the best place to reminisce the past war history. At the same time, touring the island offers a good way to relax and to have some time off from the busy life.