Corregidor Island

Corregidor is an island in the entrance of Manila Bay in the Philippines. Because of its strategic location in the bay, it served as a focal point for the naval defenses of the capital city, Manila.

The island is about 48 kilometers west of Manila and is part of the municipality of Cavite City. It is shaped like a tadpole, with its tail running eastward, and has a land area of 9 km². Along with Caballo Island (which lies 2 km south of the tail's tip), it partially blocks the entrance of Manila Bay, and thus has strategic importance.

Because of its rocky landscape and the fortifications of Fort Mills, Corregidor Island is also known as "The Rock". Corregidor is 6 km long and about 2.4 km at its widest point. Its bulbous head, which points toward the South China Sea rises prominently to a large flat area called the Topside. This was the nerve center of the island during World War II and here were located the headquarters, barracks for enlisted personnel, officers' quarters, the traditional parade grounds, underground ordnance shops and the bulk of batteries that constituted the military strength of Corregidor. A small plateau that interrupts the upward slope from Bottomside to Topside is the Middleside and was the location of barracks for the enlisted men, a hospital, quarters for non-commissioned officers, a service club, and 2 schoolhouses. The Bottomside is the lower part of the island and is the neck that connects the head and the tail of the island and east of it is where the Malinta Tunnel can be found. The Malinta Tunnel, which is the last stronghold of the joint Philippine and American Military forces, is now home to a Light & Sound presentation by national artist Lamberto V. Avellana of the events that took place on the island during World War II. There were 23 batteries installed in Corregidor, consisting of 56 coastal guns and mortars. In addition, Corregidor had 13 anti-aircraft artillery batteries, 76 guns (28 3-inch and 48 50-caliber), and 10 60-inch Sperry searchlights. The longest range coastal pieces were the 2 12-inch (305 mm) guns of Batteries Hearn & Smith.

Sun Cruises, Inc. provides 2 fast ferries to cater to the daily round trip transfers to and from Corregidor Island. Baycruiser II is 145-seater fast ferry with a top speed of 23 knots while Suncruiser II can accommodate as many as 285 passengers and has a top speed of 22 knots. Both fast ferries are docked at the CCP Bay Terminal A, inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex, just beside Harbour Square.

Daily schedules are as follows:

• 7:00AM — Check-in at CCP Bay Terminal
• 7:30AM — Boarding
• 8:00AM — Estimated Time of Departure Manila
• 9:15AM — Estimated Time of Arrival Corregidor
• Guided Tour
• 2:30PM — Estimated Time of Departure Corregidor
• 3:45PM — Estimated Time of Arrival Manila

During week-ends, the leaving time from Corregidor is postponed for approximately one hour to give more time for visitors on the island.

The "Trams" or "Tranvia" buses of Sun Cruises, Inc. are the major means of transportation in the island.

The island is regarded as a must-see for any history buff who is visiting Manila. Tours are run from the docks in Manila (near the Philippine Cultural Center), and cost approximately US$40. The fee includes the boat out and back, the guided tour, and a lunch. The gun emplacements are still there, as are the skeletons of several of the buildings, all with evidence of battle damage.

Several activities are proposed on the island:

• Biking A newly-introduced activity in the island. It gives the biking enthusiast the opportunity to conquer the well-paved biking trails and get a glimpse of the island's scenic and historic spots.
• Sunset experience Catch the lovely sunset at Battery Grubbs, one of the "disappearing" guns perched on a hill overlooking Bataan.
• Sunrise viewing Brave the chilly mornings in Corregidor and go to the island's tailside to catch the sunrise.
• Night lateral tunnel visit This is done inside Malinta Tunnel's 1000-bed hospital area during World War II. A walking tour of the tunnel's unexplored side.
• Hiking Hike along the woodland trails of Corregidor on a wondrous adventure game. Grab your compass, check your map, and be ready to hack through vines or to drop down into mysterious tunnels. First-time hikers could enjoy an easy hike through rediscovered trails to forests and hillsides and discover ruins. Follow the trail of pink Cadena de Amor with a sweeping view of Manila Bay reaching the island's tail.
• Camp adventure Live and learn about the great outdoors in a specialized camp training program designed to enhance your knowledge and skills about nature. With jungle survival and exploration instructors, you will learn to respect and develop the confidence to survive in a world of trees, bushes, and man-made underground caverns.
• Birdwatching Birdwatchers have spotted species of birds at Corregidor Island such as white-collared kingfishers, Zebra Dove, Blue Rock, Asian Glossy Starlings, Eurasian Tree Sparrows, and black-naped Orioles. Philippine Cockatoos have been spotted flying over the grassy area near the Eternal Flame Monument.
• Rock balancing Corregidor, also knows as the "Rock" boasts of unique rocks called "bloodstones". These rocks have been aptly called because they are white in color with nice splatters of red.
• Island runabout Circle the island on sturdy outrigger boats and view the neighboring isles, La Monja, Caballo (Fort Drum), and the scenic coast of Mariveles.

There is only one way to get some food on the island:

• The La Playa Restaurant serves local and international cuisine.