Corregidor Island

At the CCP Complex in Pasay City, visitors can proceed to the historic Corregidor Island 26 nautical miles across the sea via a ferryboat. The 5.6-kilometer long island, also known as the “Rock” because of its huge limestone formations, played a significant role during World War II.

During the Spanish regime, all ships entering or leaving Manila Bay were required to stop at the island to have their documents checked. Corregidor is the Spanish term for “corrector”.

Fortifications were later put up on Corregidor, until the island came to be known as a bastion of defense for the city of Manila.

Corregidor was the largest of four islands at the mouth of Manila Bay that had long been fortified by the Americans. On it were ten 12-inch mortars, eight 12-inch guns (all but 2 being disappearing guns which were covered by concrete parapets until it was time to fire), and a variety of smaller caliber guns. Most of the guns were for coast defense, designed to fire against hostile ships at a distance. Many of these defense guns, however, could fire into Bataan and Cavite, as what was done during the Bataan campaign.

Inside Malinta Hill, in the center of the island, was a complex tunnel system which provided for headquarters and supply spaces, as well as a complete hospital. Malinta Tunnel was invulnerable to bombing and shelling, and this could hold out almost indefinitely until food ran out, or until the Japanese invaded the island and forced their way through. A hospital, barracks, headquarters buildings, and many other structures above ground were made of reinforced concrete, which were supposedly bomb-proof. An electric railroad linked the various parts of the island, and extensive communication lines permitted the instant relay of orders.

Besides Corregidor were three other fortified islands at the mouth of Manila Bay. These were Caballo Island, on which was situated Fort Hughes; El Fraile, on which was Fort Drum; and Carabao Island, on which was Fort Frank. Fort Hughes and Fort Frank were, like Corregidor, armed with an array of disappearing guns, mortars and a variety of smaller caliber guns. tunnel systems had also been built on these islands. Fort Drum was different from them all. The island proper had been leveled to water's edge, and on top of this base was built a reinforced concrete structure on which two armored turrets were emplaced. The fort looked like a battleship, and was often mistaken as one by ships entering Manila Bay.
Corregidor Island in Manila Bay
During World War II, Corregidor served as the last stronghold of American and Filipino soldiers against the invading Japanese army. The war left the island fortress in ruins, and until now, a tour of the island depicts the ravages of war. However, many facilities built by American forces have been restored for the tourists.

A tour of the island starts at General Douglas MacArthur Park, which features a life-size bronze statue of the American general; Manuel L. Quezon Park, in honor of the president of the Philippine Commonwealth; the Malinta Tunnel, an 835 foot tunnel which served as headquarters of General MacArthur and President Quezon; and the Filipino Heroes Memorial, a 6,000-square meter complex with 14 murals of heroic battles from the 15th century to World War II.

Then, there are the 2.2-hectare Japanese Garden of Peace, the smaller Filipino-American Friendship Park, a 3,000 square meter aviary, and the famous Middleside Barracks, composed of two three- storey buildings.

A continuation of the tour brings the visitor to Battery Way, which during the war was armed with four 12-inch mortars; the Battery Hearn, a 12-inch seacoast gun; the Mile Long Barracks, reputedly the world’s longest military barracks; the Pacific War Memorial built by the United States; the Eternal Flame of Freedom, a wing-shaped steel sculpture; Spanish Lighthouse; the Battery Geary; and the Battery Crocket.

Getting around is not a problem, as buses and jeepneys are available for tourists. You can choose between day and overnight packaged tours or make your own way around. There is much to see on Corregidor and it is best to make a weekend of it if you have the time. Visitors can go Jupiter Street, Pasong Tamo and Pasay Road in Makati; and Timog, West and Quezon Avenues in Quezon City.

Many cheap and cheerful diners are conveniently located in large shopping malls like the Power Plant, Glorietta and Rustans in Makati City; and Shangri La Plaza, SM Megamall and Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City. Food at these places is usually quite good but be careful of uncooked dishes such as the local “buko” (coconut) salad. Stomach upsets from eating such dishes in food halls is not uncommon. Foreign stomachs are generally not so forgiving.

Corregidor Island, locally called Isla ng Corregidor, is a lofty island located at the entrance of Manila Bay in southwestern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines. This is not the place to make specific recommendations for dining but if you are in the Ermita/Malate area we suggest you head for Adriatico while if you are in the Makati area you may wish to start along Jupiter Street, at the Greenbelt. The major malls of Power Plant and Glorietta are also worth checking out.

Getting To Corregidor Island:

Via Fast Ferry from Manila
Fast ferry passengers daily to and from Corregidor under Sun Cruises, Inc. (Mobile No. 0922-3370068) or from Manila to Orion, Bataan using SuperCat (Tel. No. 528-7000) at SM Mall of Asia Jetty Port. Take a jeepney ride to Camaya Point Marina, Brgy. Alasasin, Mariveles, Bataan for a boat ride of M/B El Corregidor with 48 passengers capacity. Please check below map.

Via Bataan
From Camaya Point Marina, Brgy. Alasasin, Mariveles, Bataan take a boat ride of M/B El Corregidor with 48 passengers capacity to Corregidor (Mobile No. 0916-3063693)

For more information, please call or visit:

Corregidor Foundation, Inc.
Room 212 Department of Tourism Building T.M.Kalaw, Manila, Philippines
Tel. Nos.: 525-3429/523-5605;
Mobile No.: 0917-4439368
Fax No.: 525-3420
E-mail: corregidorislandphil@yahoo.com; agm...@gmail.com

List of Concessionaires:

Sun Cruises, Inc. (Magsaysay Maritime Corp.) - providing ferry services, tours and hotel in Corregidor, and its latest product the Manila Bay Cruise
Sales Manager: Ms. Kristine P. Castro
Tel. No.:527-5555 loc.4515, 4511
Mobile No.: 0917-8681762
http://www.corregidorphilippines.com/
Mac Arthur’s Café and Souvenir Shop
General Manager: Ms. Antonina Traballo
Tel. No.: 911-4939; 721-6987; Mobile No.:0917-8532399
Sea Calm Inn
Contact Person: Mr. Nicanor Laguda
Mobile No.: 0918-2083171

Leisure Guide

Corregidor Island

Getting To Corregidor Island:

For more information, please call or visit: