It
was supposed to be a day spent in Tagaytay with some of my friends
(Ninette, Vangie, Ate Rose, Dodgie, Vina, & Francis) which I didn’t
confirm until last weekend. However, with everything happening — Peter’s
work, my plans of seeing a doctor, going to Alabang to check the
carpenters’ work on the cabinets, packing our stuff, our partying last
weekend, our usual laziness, and the fact that we’ve been to Tagaytay
several times already (we’re even scheduled to go there again next month
c/o our Club Panoly membership), the thought of going there on a
holiday just didn’t appeal to us so much. But the thought of seeing our
friends excited us a bit so we said yes, we’ll go.
During
the weekend, Vina told me she wouldn’t be able to come with us coz she
has to attend Francis’ sister’s wedding. Then early Monday morning, Ate
Rose texted & said that she’s sick. I felt sorry for her but at the
same time, I was beginning to think that perhaps this wasn’t such a good
idea after all. And Peter didn’t want to drive that far lately coz he’s
been tired most of the time. So I thought that perhaps, while waiting
for the others at Bluewave along Diosdado Macapagal, Roxas Blvd. (our
meeting place that morning), I could check out Sun Cruises
near CCP and see if they have a couple of boat slots for Corregidor
that day. Well, it turned out that they had almost a hundred slots
waiting to be filled. I got excited! I texted my friends and asked and
begged them if we could go to Corregidor instead! They wanted to… but
sad to say that Dodgie already made reservations at one of the
restaurants in Tagaytay plus they also have plans of visiting the wake
of Dodgie’s boss’ dad. Well, we didn’t want to spend our time eating all
day and visiting a dead guy we don’t know so it’s a good thing they let
us pursue our new and sudden plan. I love my friends! They’re so
forgiving. And Peter & I couldn’t be any happier! Blame it on my
impulsiveness! Hahaha! So off they went to Tagytay and off we went to
Corregidor! (We’ve been planning to go here for two years now. We can’t believe that it finally happened and as spontaneously as that! Weee!)
meeting place that morning), I could check out Sun Cruises
near CCP and see if they have a couple of boat slots for Corregidor
that day. Well, it turned out that they had almost a hundred slots
waiting to be filled. I got excited! I texted my friends and asked and
begged them if we could go to Corregidor instead! They wanted to… but
sad to say that Dodgie already made reservations at one of the
restaurants in Tagaytay plus they also have plans of visiting the wake
of Dodgie’s boss’ dad. Well, we didn’t want to spend our time eating all
day and visiting a dead guy we don’t know so it’s a good thing they let
us pursue our new and sudden plan. I love my friends! They’re so
forgiving. And Peter & I couldn’t be any happier! Blame it on my
impulsiveness! Hahaha! So off they went to Tagytay and off we went to
Corregidor! (We’ve been planning to go here for two years now. We can’t believe that it finally happened and as spontaneously as that! Weee!)
~~~oOo~~~
Now, let me take you on a trip back to history… We took tons of photos with both our Olympus and Pentax digital cameras that at the end of the trip, both of their batteries were exhausted. Here’s a film I made especially for you. Enjoy!
*(text taken from Sun Cruises, Inc.’s pamphlet)
One of the most celebrated battles of World War II
took place in this tadpole-shaped island more than 60 years ago, but
the thunderous roar of the guns reverberates as a whole new adventure
unfolds in Corregidor.
It
is the largest of the five islands in between the shores of the
legendary provinces of Bataan and Cavite, both homes to the country’s
beloved heroes. The reminiscence of the Pacific War, however, is one
educational attraction of a trip to the island, the best part is to
experience life here amidst luscious green hills and pristine blue
waters.
MILE LONG BARRACKS
The
most photographed area in Corregidor, this 1,520-foot barracks served
as headquarters of some 2,000 US offcials, including Gen. Douglas
MacArthur. What was once a recreational indoor pool can still be seen
today.
MALINTA TUNNEL 
The
highlight of the visit would be the 30-minute light-and-sound show at
the tunnel, which chronicles the significance of the place as it served
as center of American operations during WWII. Former President Manuel L.
Quezon and Vice-President Sergio Osmena took their oath on December 30,
1941 under this hideaway to begin their second term in office. This
passage was converted into a hospital, arsenal, and fuel reservoir,
where thousands of Filipinos, Americans and Japanese died.
The
highlight of the visit would be the 30-minute light-and-sound show at
the tunnel, which chronicles the significance of the place as it served
as center of American operations during WWII. Former President Manuel L.
Quezon and Vice-President Sergio Osmena took their oath on December 30,
1941 under this hideaway to begin their second term in office. This
passage was converted into a hospital, arsenal, and fuel reservoir,
where thousands of Filipinos, Americans and Japanese died.
PACIFIC WAR MEMORIAL
Located
at the highest point of the island, it was completed at the cost of
$1.23 million in 1968, and one of the only two memorials built by the US
government to mark the war, the other is in 
SPANISH LIGHTHOUSE
This
lighthouse used to be a checkpoint, which alerts Manila of an
approaching galleon. This spot offers a spectacular view of the Manila
Bay, South China Sea, and the whole island.
BATTERIES
The
gallant guns of the Pacific are distributed in different parts of the
island. Battery Way is armed with four 12-inch mortars that can fire in
any direction. It has the last gun to fire out before the fall to the
Japanese. Battery Hearn’s seacoast gun is the longest in the island with
a firing range of 17 miles. Battery Geary contains the most effective
guns in Corregidor. Battery Crocket has two 12-inch seacoast guns
mounted on carriages that move the guns that disappear behind a parapet.
The Americans built a total of 20 batteries in the island. 
FILIPINO HEROES MEMORIAL
This
landmark contains sculptor Manuel Casal’s 14 murals depicting some of
the country’s historic battles from the Battle of Mactan in 1521 to the
Edsa People Power Revolution in 1986.
~~~oOo~~~
The
tickets cost us P1,690 each, iclusive of boat transfers via Sun Cruiser
II, tour of the island via Tram and buffet lunch. For an additional
P150 each, we were able to watch the Malinta Tunnel Lights & Sound
show. It surely was a day we thoroughly enjoyed! As what Gen. Douglas
MacArthur said, we too, shall return. Come see Corregidor!
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