CORREGIDOR ISLAND

Corregidor is a tadpole shaped island on the mouth of Manila Bay. When the Philippines was yet a
colony of Spain, Corregidor served as a fortress; an early warning
outpost to warn Manila of any hostile ships; a customs outpost; and a
correctional (prison). Because of the corrective effect of hard labor on
prisoners, the island was named Corregidor, from the Spanish word
"corregir" meaning the corrector. Corregidor is also known as "the
rock" because of its rocky landscape and heavy fortifications.

Corregidor island is approximately 4 kilometers long, 1.5 kilometers at

its widest and a total area of approximately 3 square miles. At the tip
of the tail, 2 kilometers south, lies Caballo island. Both Corregidor and Caballo islands are part of the
province of Cavite.

Corregidor History
In 1898, after almost 400 years of colonization, the Philippines was
ceded by Spain to the United States after
payment of US$20 million. Soon after, the
Americans used Corregidor as an army post
and named the it, Fort Mills in honor of Brig.
Gen. Samuel M. Mills. The Americans built
bomb-shelters, concrete emplacements, a
hospital and trails around the island. In 1922
construction of the Malinta Tunnel started to
protect military installations and wares in case of war. In addition, 56
Coastal guns, 13 anti-aircraft artillery batteries and 10 searchlights was
installed.

In 1941, hours after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, the Japanese invaded the
Philippines. Corregidor served as the last resistance point of the retreating
Filipino and American forces fighting the Japanese. Gen. Douglas MacArthur used Corregidor island
as a base for the Allied forces form 1941 to 1942. Corregidor also served as the temporary shelter
for the government of President Manuel L. Quezon and his family for two months (December 24,
1941 to February 19, 1942) prior to the eventual exile of the Philippine Commonwealth government
to the United States. After the fall of Bataan to on April 9, 1942 to the Japanese, Corregidor
surrendered after holding out for 27 days.

Corregidor Today
Today, Corregidor is a historical site and a tourist destination. The island is divided into sections, the
"head" is called the "Topside". This is the main part of Corregidor where the headquarters, barracks,
war memorial, lighthouse, Eternal Flame, parade grounds, golf course and all the major
emplacements are located here. Then there is the "Middleside", where the campsite, aviary, bird
park and some ruins are located. And the tail end of Corregidor island is called the "Bottomside". The
hotel, administrative building, Gen. MacArthur Park, Gen. Wainwright Park and San Jose Chapel can
be found here.

Many of the war ruined buildings have never been reconstructed, and
instead was left as is, so as to serve as a memorial to the Filipino &
American solders who died here in World
War II. Corregidor today is not only a
place to contemplate and learn history, it
is also a place to relax and enjoy. There
are many things to see and do. A
highlight of a visit to Corregidor is the
audio-visual presentation at the Malinta
Tunnel of the events that occurred during World War II, including the departure of President Quezon
and Gen. Douglas MacArthur on a submarine from Corregidor to Australia - Quezon and his family
exiled to the United States during the war.

One can also avail of the island tour of Corregidor on a motorized boat or do some hiking on through
the hills and forest and discover some landmark ruins along the way. For those who will stay
overnight at Corregidor, take the night tour with a walk around of the Malinta Tunnel, it is different
and more stimulating.

Places of Interest in Corregidor:

● Malinta Tunnel
● Pacific War Memorial
● Filipino Heroes Memorial
● Spanish lighthouse
● Gun emplacements
● Eternal Flame of Freedom
● Aviary and Theme Park
● Filipino-American Friendship Park
● Barracks ruins

Where to stay in Corregidor:

● Corregidor Hotel is a comfortable place to stay for visitors and tourist
who would like to relax after a long day visiting the sites. The hotel has
a pool, souvenir shop, bar and restaurant. For those who still have
energy to spend, the hotel has tennis and basketball courts. Corregidor Hotel is walking distance to
the North Dock, wharf and beach.

How to go to Corregidor:
● An air-conditioned ferry departs daily at 8:00AM from the ferry terminal at the CCP Complex,
Roxas Boulevard, Manila and returns in the afternoon. Day tour includes the ferry transfers, fees,
lunch and guided tour of Corregidor. Extended or overnight stays can be arranged with the ferry's
operator, Sun Cruises at telephone # (632) 834-6857 and 831-8140. Package day tour is priced
P1,690/pax (as of August 2007).