Corregidor

Corregidor is said to be one of the most haunted places in the Philippines. Some people reported of hearing moaning, footsteps, and other noises inside the hospital ruins and old bunkers.

Perhaps, these "experiences" can be attributed to the fact that several men died in Corregidor when it became the headquarters of Gen. Douglas MacArthur's Allied Forces during the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42) under WWII.

Its Malinta Tunnel was initially used as a bomb-proof storage and personnel bunker but later served as a 1,000-bed underground hospital during the said war.

But beyond these ghostly tales, one cannot argue the beauty of Corregidor and its importance to the country's history.

It is just 1 & 1/2 hour boat trip from Manila and the largest of four islands protecting the mouth of Manila Bay, the finest natural harbor in the Orient. American servicemen dubbed it as "The Rock" or the "Gibraltar of the East", in comparison to the peninsular fortress that guards the main entrance to the Mediterranean Sea between Europe and Africa.

During the above mentioned war, the Japanese had to take Corregidor because as long as the island remained in American hands, they would be denied the use of the Manila Bay, thus failure to conquer the Philippines.The fall of Corregidor to the Japanese forces was instrumental in the subsequent capture of the Philippines and the retreat of the United States in the early stages of the war. It was from Corregidor that MacArthur left for Australia where he subsequently said his famous speech, in which he said "...I shall return."

So in your next trip to Manila, spend a day or two in Corregidor. Tours from Manila include boat transfers, an island tour, admission and terminal fee. Enjoy a jeepney guided tour of the devastated military buildings, cannons, and numerous war monuments. The island also offers a good view of the Manila Bay. Stay overnight at Corregidor Hotel or Lodging Row House.

Of course, my most favorite part, try the Malinta Tunnel Night Tour which is only available to overnight tourists. Explore every inch of the tunnel and switch off your flashlight (the guide will actually ask you to, :D bwahahaha) to “feel” the moments that happened inside the tunnel during the war.

More about Corregidor:

• Corregidor Island
• Corregidor - Then and Now
• Malinta Tunnel Night Tour
• Accomodation
• Tour
• Cruise
• In Lonely Planet

Some travelogs:

• On Malinta Tunnel Night Tour
• More than Cannons in Corregidor
• From Stieglitz

Books on Corregidor:

• Corregidor: The American Alamo of World War II: by Eric Morris
• Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II's Most Dramatic Mission

Aerial view of Corregidor