Corregidor, Manila

If you have a day where you want to explore something different, ride a ferry to to Corregidor! This is just a short 2-3 hour ferry ride that leaves daily at 0730 from the wharf which is close to the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

What will you see? Cannons! This place has a rich history, very important in how the shipping was controlled in Manila. It was heavily fought over by the Spaniards, the Americans and of course, the Japanese...

They have an amazing memorial to those bloody times of sea warfare (War enthusiasts take note) with an old Spanish lighthouse guarding the fortress remains. Although you can do this in one day (which I advise because there is so much to do in Manila), there is also a facility for overnight stays.

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Corregidor island is now a popular site for a day trip with many boats and tours leaving from the harbour in Manila, It is interesting to look around the old gun emplacments and buildings.
During the 2nd world war there were 15,000 American and Filipino troops, consisting of anti-aircraft and coastal defences and the Battle for Corregidor was the culmination of the Japanese campaign for the conquest of the Philippines. The fall of Bataan in April 9, 1942 ended all organized opposition by the U.S. Army Forces

Corregidor is the true legacy of what American once stood for in the Philippines. Corregidor is the island that leads into Manila Bay that was the headquarters for the US military during America's Colonization of the Philippines. It is truly one of the most rare living memorial's of World War II. Any historian would appreciate the amazing footprint left from this war, and anyone who has a small appreciation for America's role in the Pacific can witness first hand what this was.

Corregidor is a living breathing monument that has not changed since the American's reclaimed their prize from the Japanese in March of 1945. It is as if time stands still. You can walk through the former quarters of General Douglas MacArthur, see the battery cannons that were fired to protect the island from its invadors and most importantly witness the memorial built by the Filipinos thanking the American's for securing their freedom.

In my opinion, there is no true World War II monument or memorial more significant than Corregidor to the United States. It was one of two territories that it lost during the war (the other being Guam). The reality was the Pacific was truly America's REAL war and Corregidor is and was its most significant link to that war. It you really want to walk through America's battlefield, then there is no greater experience that Corregidor.

Please do not miss taking the ferry for a day trip to Corregidor. That little island is packed with so much WWII history. You can choose to spend the night at the island's only hotel...that way you can explore the island on your own, take long walks, or swim at the beach.

Corregidor Island. A short boat ride into Manila Bay brings you to this fortified island that was the target of massive bombing campaigns during WWII, by both the Japanese on their way in and the Americans on their way back. Anyone with even a mild interest in history should not pass this up. The all-inclusive day packages (boat rides to/from, tour on island, lunch) are more expensive than other local attractions, but is still very reasonably priced.