Every May 6, descendants of American and Filipino World War II veterans make a pilgrimage to the island of Corregidor in a poignant remembrance of World War II and those who perished in it.
At high noon, they gather at the Pacific War Memorial in the island’s topmost portion along with day-tour guests, for a floral offering and moments of silence at the exact moment when defenders of Corregidor surrendered to the more superior Japanese forces after nearly five months of fierce fighting.
Reinvention
The island is called The Rock or Gibraltar of the East. Historical records show it suffered one of the heaviest bombardments during the war.
This sentry at the mouth of Manila Bay has been reinventing itself in recent years into an adventure, nature and recreation destination, and no longer just a mere war memorial.
Sun Cruises Inc. (SCI), the integrated leisure provider in Corregidor, is promoting it with a unique blend of history and adventure, something other tourist spots cannot replicate.
It has rolled out new activities and tour packages to make it a more fun tourist hotspot.
Sun Cruises Inc. has been offering fast ferry transfers, hotel and restaurant services, and guided tours around the island’s historic spots for the past 25 years.
Adventure challenge
One of the hottest activities being offered now is the Adventure Challenge, in which guests can explore the ruins, navigate the fortress’ hidden tunnels and decipher clues, and see the historic spots in the mold of reality TV show “Amazing Race.”
The Challenge tests the participants’ creativity, planning skills, logic and team work in winning the race to earn them some bragging rights, and a dinner cruise at the equally historic Manila Bay. This is an ideal bonding activity for students, friends, office mates and families.
Visitors can also glide on the 300-meter long, 40-feet high Rocket Zipline, which takes them from Corregidor Inn to South Beach in about 30 seconds.
The beach is likewise a playground for kayaking and watersports-lovers.
Overnight guests can take a romantic sunset tour at Battery Grubbs, one of the disappearing guns perched on a hill overlooking Bataan peninsula and a crater of an extinct volcano.
They can take a night tour of the Malinta Tunnel which contains the 1,000-bed Fort Mills hospital and other vital chambers which became the wartime refuge of the Commonwealth Republic.
At daytime, the Malinta Tunnel Light and Sound Show can be viewed for a comprehensive narrative of the war’s crucial periods.
Guests can island-hop and view the neighboring isles of La Monja, Caballo and El Fraile (Fort Drum), then stop over at fishing spots.’
Fitness island
Corregidor is also a “fitness island.” Bikers are encouraged to pedal around its splendid and challenging road network and trails.
And with only a handful of motor vehicles, all roads on this idyllic isle are virtually bicycle lanes.
The Rock is ideal as well for marathons and fun runs, being home to the Corregidor International Half-Marathon since 2010. The 21-km race brings runners through a demanding combination of paved uphill and downhill slopes and dirt trails while passing through key historical hotspots.
Another activity is birdwatching. The species spotted here include the White-
Collared Kingfishers, Asian Glossy Starlings, Eurasian Tree Sparrows, Blue Rock and Philippine Cockatoos.
Walking tours
Visitors have the option of exploring the island on foot via the walking tours, offered occasionally by noted tour guide Ivan Man Dy, which provides a different take on the island’s intriguing history.
Because of its Old-World charm, it is a favorite venue for prenuptial pictorials, photography boot camps and fashion shoots.
In 2010, it hosted the special screening of the popular HBO TV series “The Pacific,” which tells the exploits of the Allied Forces in liberating the Pacific island chain in 1944 before landing on Philippine shores.
Seventy-two years after Corregidor’s heroic stand, it is worth revisiting, to appreciate it as an island of valor and adventure.
Visit www.corregidorphilippines.com or add Sun Cruises Corregidor on Facebook.