Corregidor Island is such an interesting island. Other than its being remnants of a volcanic crater called Corregidor Caldera, it’s also rich in history, from Spanish colonial era to the late 1960s with tales and secrets awaiting to be discovered. Other than that, the island is a haven for the adventure enthusiast, birdwatcher and anyone who needs a break from the monotony and just have fun! Check out this top 10 list!
1 Visit and check out the various ruins and batteries
These are the enduring and iconic images that comes to mind or what we remember of Corregidor Island: the different barracks ruins and batteries that dot the island. There’s Mile Long Barracks, the hospital, Middleside Barracks, the soldiers quarters, Cine Corregidor and many more, with even some found inside the forest or covered with vegatation.
The mortars are also found around the island like Batter Way, a collection of big guns, Battery Grubbs, Battery Hearn where the biggest can be found and still many more awaiting for you to discover.
These ruins and mortars makes for an interesting tour of Corregidor Island, be it as a guided tour or as something that you want to explore for yourself on foot or bike.
2 Malinta Tunnel Light and Sound show
Perhaps the centerpiece of the tour, although its optional and has a separate fee (at P200 as of this writing), it’s an interesting light and sound show that specifically focuses on what happened inside this historic tunnel. Get to see footage, hear historic tracks and narrations. It’s the quickest way to know and understand Corregidor especially during World War II.
3 Spanish era lighthouse
One of the historic lighthouses built in the Spanish colonial era, this is one of the few structures that reminds of the history of the island during this period. The grounds is now a mini museum. The area is picturesque with two flanking buildings and a way point. At the farther end of the road, a flagpole that used to be a Spanish galleon’s mast is booty by the Americans.
4 Monuments, sculptures a museum and memorials
From the Eternal Flame of Freedom, museum and dome at the Pacific War Memorial, the Japanese Memorial Garden, the Filipino Heroes Memorial to different parks and gardens. Each of these gives you a quick picture of the events, the heroes, the victors and the vanquished who all made this island hallowed ground.
5 Do a walking tour of Corregidor
Old Manila Walks have a walking tour on one section of Corregidor Island and its named Of Bombs, Big Guns and Lost Gold! There are lots of stories and secrets for you to discover in this walking tour! When I had mine, Ivan Man Dy was the guide and that just means you’re in for a quite interesting walk!
Check them out at http://oldmanilawalks.com/corregidortour.htm
6 What is the Jabidah Massacre?
Did you know that the problems besetting the Philippines on Muslim autonomy had its beginnings in Corregidor? The infamous Jabidah Massacre was supposed to be a covert operation that recruited Muslims from Sulu and Tawitawi for a retake of Sabah back in the late 1960s. But word leaked out and the authorities tried to erase all trace of the operation and had the recruits killed. Except for one, who was able to escape, swim off to Cavite and lived to tell the tale. In one of the rooms of the Fort Miller Hospital, are graffitis that were made by these recruits. NOTE: The Jabidah Massacre is said to be a hoax cooked up by a Marcos enemy.
7 Fun and adventure!
Have a great time sliding from the Cordillera Inn to South Beach or rough it up via an ATV ride in marked and designated trails. If you want to know more about the avian population, embark on a birdwatching tour of the island. For a start, eagles start their thermal flying during sunrise and many can be seen while you wait for the sunrise at the tailside.
8 Hike, bike or run a marathon around Corregidor
Get down from the tramvias and hit the road! More than about history, Corredigor is crisscrossed with hiking trails, tunnels and well paved roads. Get to experience these on foot or on bike, it’s another way to experience the island. Yearly, the Corregidor Marathon and the Corregidor International Half Marathon are held here.
Check these two running events: https://www.facebook.com/CorregidorMarathon and https://www.facebook.com/corregidor21
9 Stay overnight in Corregidor and avail of the best and memorable tours of the island
There’s more to Corregidor than just availing the day tour package. It’s not enough to go there in the morning, tour, have lunch and back to Manila. Extend! Experience the best of Corregidor at night or early in the morning. The sunsets and sunrises are just awesome, the Japanese tunnel walk is interesting. And the best part of touring in Corregidor? Fort Mills Hospital ruins that can get creepy or the lateral tunnels tour!
READ MORE: 6 reasons to stay overnight in Corregidor
10 Take a dip at the beach and try stonebalancing
South Beach and Resort Beach are good for a swim, beachcombing or stone balancing, especially the latter where round and smooth stones, including bloodstones of various sizes and colors abound. Each has scenic views of Caballo Island in the distance. Not your typcial white sandy beach though but still perfect for a dip.
READ MORE: Stone balancing at a scenic beach in Corregidor
Corregidor Island
via Sun Cruises
Reservations Office
Fernando Ma. Guerrero corner Paseo Palisoc (near Coconut Palace)
CCPÂ Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City
Tel. (632) 834-6857 to 58, (632) 831-8140
Fax (632) 834-1523
Mobile (63)917 513-2625, (63)922 337-0068
E-mail: suncruises@magsaysay.com.ph
http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/
10 things to do and have a great time in Corregidor: Corregidor Island is such an interesting island. Other th… http://t.co/4xNx0j6yB5
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