Blogs from Corregidor, Philippines, Asia
March 19th 2011
We left Bali several hours behind schedule due to newly boarding passengers whose flights were delayed arriving. We were supposed to make a call in Sandakan, Malaysia. However, with the late departure and an adverse current, the ship could not make up the lost time. Because of the shallowness of the entry channel into the port it is mandatory for the ship to cross the bar at high tide and since we couldn’t make it in time the call was canceled and we set course directly for Manila. This area around Borneo is infested with pirates--nothing on the scale of the Gulf of Aden--but enough to be of concern to the shipping industry. Thus the high powered hoses were were set out around the ship and security guards were patrolling the outer decks day and night. ... read more
January 6th 2011
Jan 5-Last night we went to the Mall of Asia, a gigantic mall located on the Manila harbor. The mall reminded me of one of the malls in downtown San Diego. Luckily we did not walk around the entire mall--I don't think any of us had the energy to. We took a few pictures, looked in a few stores, and exchanged some more money in one of the department stores. After being approached by a very eager but very polite young saleswomen, Papa decided to buy a short sleeve polo shirt. He said he had brought too many long sleeve shirts and it was way too hot for those. After the mall we went to a nearby restaurant called Sis Seafood Palutuan. Here you buy your own freshly caught fish from the outdoor market next door, ... read more
Corregidor: The little island that could
Published: November 24th 2010Asia » Philippines » Corregidor
September 24th 2010
Corregidor is a small island about an hour from Manila that has played a very important role military-wise in their history, particularily WWII. Technically no one lives on the island and you can only visit as part of a tour. The tour is only run by one company and is therefore slightly overpriced, but we had a great day and a fun experience! A word of warning: My journal was filled up and sent home so I don’t recall many specifics about this trip. I’ll update later! After an hour-long boat ride, we arrived in Corregidor on a beautiful sunny day. The island is well maintained and landscaped and was a welcome sight! We were welcomed by a big statue of General MacArthur saying "I Shall Return", his famous words before he left the island to ... read more
August 21st 2010
Being from the Leyte-Samar provinces, I am well aware of the annual url=http://www.tourisminthephilippines.com/city/Tacloban/leyte-landing-memorial/leyte-landing-memorial.phpLeyte Landing celebration which commemorates the return of Gen. Douglas McArthur to the Philippines. Who isn’t familiar with the line “I Shall Return”? He is probably one of the most loved expat in our history books, and our fascination to the American culture may as well be associated to him. Whilst the Spanish brought the Roman Catholic faith, Americans on the other hand brought chocolates, McDonalds, Pepsi, pizza, the American English language, and our fascination to ‘state side’. As it was a long weekend, we’ve decided to make a weekend trip to the Corregidor Island. I usually get seasick and the one hour ferry ride was the least of my favorite. Back on its glorious days, Corregidor was a... read more
February 19th 2010
Corregidor Island This is where HISTORY happened. A huge chunk of Philippine history occured on this historic place. This was were the Americans and Filipinos united in fighting against the Japanese. Corregidor is a good 1.5-2 hr ferry ride from Manila. The place is also known as the ROCK. It is a small island shaped like a tadpole. The island is strategically located in the mouth of Manila Bay. This was the reason the Japanese and Americans fought for this island, because of its wonderful location. A lof of soldiers - Japanese, Americans and Filipinos, died on the island making it a creepy place to visit. No one is allowed to permanently reside on the Island as it is a very significant historic site for Filipinos, as well as for Americans. People can visit the island ... read more
December 5th 2009
December 4, 2009 (Friday) CCP Bay Terminal A, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City (near Harbour Square) Parking Fees: Php35 for 1st 3 hours and Php10 for every succeeding hour Sun Cruises Day Tour - Php1,999.00 Inclusions: Roundtrip ferry transfers/shrine, entrance and terminal fees, guided island tour, buffet lunch Overnight Package - Php1,999.00 + 500.00 for Twin/Double sharing Optional: Lights and Sound Show inside Malinta Tunnel - Php150/person Schedule (estimated time): 7:00am - Check in at the terminal 7:30am - Boarding 8:00am - Departure from Manila 9:15am - Arrival in Corregidor Guided tour 2:30pm - Departure from Corregidor 3:45pm - Arrival in Manila Corregidor is a tadpole-shaped island strategically located at the mouth of Manila Bay. It is also aptly named as "the rock" and is 48 kms. West of Manila or 30 miles from the ... read more
April 28th 2009
Corregidor Island, Philippines My trip to Corregidor Island was outstanding! 2 of my roommates and I got up at 0300 in order to catch the bus which left at 0500. To keep spirits high, Helen sang "It's time to make the donuts" (from the old Dunkin Donuts commercial) while we all got ready for the day. The tour group consisted of about 14 people and we all crammed into 2 vans. It was rather tight making the 2 hour ride to and from Manila a bit uncomfortable. One in Manilla we all boarded a ferryboat to Corregidor Island and it lasted about 1 hour. After debarking the ferryboat, we hopped onto a trolley car and began the tour. On the way to our first stop our tour guide provided us with a bit of background in ... read more
April 8th 2008
Yesterday, Dona and I went on a great adventure. We went to Corregidor Island. This is a small island, shaped like a tadpole, in Manila Bay. It has been used to protect Manila Bay since the Spanish. As such, it was the scene of many battles in WWII. First, the Japanese struggled to take Corregidor, the last place in the Philippines to fall into their hands. Then, the Americans had to take it back, after first winning many other battles in the Pacific. General MacArthur vowed "I Shall Return" and despite the opposition of America's president, he did so at last. The island is home to American fortress ruins, both the base that was there in peacetime, and the bomb-proof shelters of wartime, and many Japanese tunnels. Visitors can also enjoy the beach and the jungle ... read more
November 15th 2004
By 8am, we were already aboard MV Sun Cruises at CCP Manila Bay dock. An hour later, we arrived the tadpole-shaped island of Corregidor on the province of Bataan. During the one-hour ferry ride, our historical trip already started, as a historian, gave us a brief history of the island. Corregidor is also called "the rock" as it saved as a fortress of Manila Bay, during World War II. Soon as we sat foot on the island, we hopped on tramvia buses w/c will get us around the island for our day tour. We had a very funny tour guide, coz we really can't help ourselves from laughing whenever he delivers his punch lines.. (my bad) :D Corregidor is a very relaxing place, w/ all its fresh forrests and and very green grass. We really enjoyed ... read more
