Destination: Corregidor Island

A Philippine destination popular with young and old alike is Corregidor Island. One of five small islands guarding the wide entrance of Manila Bay, tiny tadpole-shaped Corregidor Island holds a famous, or maybe better described as infamous, place in both Philippine and American military history – strange for a small island covering barely three square miles.

Today Corregidor island is a popular site on the tourist trail, located 48-kilometers west of Manila, its gentry crumbling fortifications from a bygone military era remain a poignant reminder of WWII; however, while memorials for peace stand alongside the now silent mortars and cannons in remembrance of the brave souls who fought and died there, families now visit Corregidor Island for recreation and vacations, children play and laugh alongside the once deadly but now gently rusting artillery, and people laugh into the night within the confines of what was once the soldiers only safe refuge in Corregidor’s huge underground Malinta Tunnel complex. 

Corregidor Island was once divided into just two areas, but the addition of tourist attractions through the years means most people now divide the island into al least three sections. The head of Corregidor ‘tadpole,’ and the highest land on the island is still called the ‘Topside’. This area still has the undisturbed remains of the old Mile Long Barracks, Senior Officers Quarters, and the old Spanish Lighthouse, along with the Pacific War Memorial, Eternal Flame and parade grounds – and the popular modernized golf course.The newly termed ‘Middleside’ is the location of the Filipino-American Friendship Park, the Youth For Peace Campsite, and Aviary and Bird Park, filled with exotic avian species such as the red-vested cockatoo and Philippine horned owl – along with quite a few not so feathered local monkeys.

The newly termed Corregidor ‘Middleside’ is the location of the Filipino-American Friendship Park, the Youth For Peace Campsite, and an Aviary and Bird Park, filled with exotic avian species such as the red-vested cockatoo and Philippine horned owl – along with quite a few not so feathered local monkeys.

Corregidor Island Middleside is also the location of the ruins of the old YMCA, Middleside Barracks, Post Stockade, Officers Club, quarters for officers and enlisted men, warehouses, and some of the old service and utility buildings.

On Corregidor Bottomside, you can tour Battery Way and Battery Hearn, a must for most visitors to Corregidor Island. This is also the location of Gen. MacArthur Park, Gen. Wainwright Park, and San Jose Chapel, although the most popular attraction on Bottomside must be the Malinta Tunnel.

Corregidor‘s 835-foot long, 24-foot wide Malinta tunnel is where the vividly staged light and sound show takes place nightly. This depicts the events that occurred during World War II - a must see for most visitors and a poignant reminder of the islands violent past .

Corregidor Bottomside is also the location of the accommodation building, the old schoolhouse that now houses the Corregidor Foundation, who are now responsible for the islands upkeep, Kindley Field, a small, unpaved runway, and Corregidor Hotel and resort, the perfect place to relax after a long day visiting the sites. The hotel/resort is walking distance to the North Dock, wharf and beach and both western style hotel rooms and small single room separate cottages are available.

If they journey to the island didn't sour you and you feel like more time on a boat, there is a small Island banca boat tour available. This slowly circles Corregidor Island along with the nearby isles of La Monja and Caballo. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous or active, why not take one of the many safe walking trails around Corregidor Island or, if you are up to it, the more physically demanding hike the top of Malinta Hill; but be warned this may require more effort than you think as the hill is rather deceptive.

While you used to be able to cross over on small banca boats from many of the small towns at the south of Bataan, these now tend to be rather hard to find - and often quite expensive if you are traveling by yourself, so most travelers to Corregidor now arrive via the air-conditioned ferries that depart daily at 8 a.m. from Terminal 2 of the CCP Complex on Roxas Boulevard, Manila. (The old Hoverferry terminal near the Cultural Center of the Philippines).