Visiting the rock
July 15, 2006 | 12:00am
The generation that is slowly passing on knows all too well the suffering and pain, destruction and devastation brought about by the Philippine Japanese War of 1941 - 1945.
Fortunately for this generation, we relate to the war past only through stories told by our parents, from books we have read in school and through historical sites that serve as reminders of our heroic past.
On a recent out of town trip, we visited an island that stands out prominently for its historic legacy and significance in our country's history. It is a scene of many nostalgic visits by veterans of World War II and historians. The island is Corregidor, fondly called the Rock.
A fastcraft ride will ferry visitors to the island's dock where they will board tranvia buses, modeled after previously used cable cars. A knowledgeable and articulate tour guide will relate stories about each important site that they pass. Here are some of the most important settings of history that serve as reminders of the insanity of war:
GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR PARK: A larger than life synthetic statue of the General is erected at Lorcha Dock where he boarded the PT boat for Mindanao then on to Australia where he sent his famous message: "I Shall Return." And he did.
THE FILIPINO AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP PARK: A statue of a wounded Filipino soldier aided by an American soldier symbolizes the plight during the famous "Death March". It also portrays the enduring friendship of both countries.
PRESIDENT MANUEL L. QUEZON PARK: A bronze statue of President Quezon stands tall at the north entrance area of the Malinta Tunnel where he was inducted as President of the Commonwealth for a second term at the height of the Japanese invasion in Corregidor.
PACIFIC WAR MEMORIAL: Built by the Americans in 1968, it is dedicated to all allied forces during World War II. It includes a museum that houses war relics and artifacts. A dome shaped like a parachute in honor of the American troopers serves as a place of reflection and meditation. The Eternal Flame sculptured by Asistides made of steel round bars symbolizing the Flame of Freedom is also within the same complex.
THE JAPANESE GARDEN OF PEACE: Formerly a military cemetery for Japanese soldiers who perished in the war, the 2.2 hectare serves as a sanctuary for prayer by Japanese veterans and relatives. A 10 -foot Jibo Kannon stone Buddha - a Shinto Shrine - stands majestic at center.
GENERAL JONATHAN WAINWRIGHT'S MEMORIAL: The General, known as the Hero of Bataan, was given a Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the lives of his men during the Japanese siege. Beside his memorial is another marker known as the Angels of Bataan and Corregidor, dedicated in honor of the valiant American military women from the US Army and Navy who provided care and comfort to the defenders of Bataan.
The highlight of the tour is the Malinta Tunnel, which is 825 feet long and 24 feet wide with 24 laterals. Nestled beneath the Malinta Hill, the bombproof tunnel, which was used previously as an arsenal and hospital, became the headquarters for embattled Filipinos and Americans and served as the seat of the Philippine Government under Pres. Manuel Quezon.
Today, visitors can go back in time by watching the " Malinta Experience", a diorama simulating the actual events during the period from the Japanese invasion up to the liberation of Corregidor Island. The late National Artist Lamberto V. Avellana scripted the thirty-minute show. The moving scene ends with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.
Other points of interest include a statue of the Filipina that served as source of PEACE and INSPIRATION for the Filipino soldiers and also the statue of President Sergio Osmeña, as a tribute to his exemplary role as President of the Philippine Commonwealth during the liberation period, accompanying General Douglas MacArthur in his Leyte landing to start the liberation of the Philippines.
The buildings and ruins include the Mile Long barracks, the Middle Side Barracks, the YMCA building ruins and the preserved batteries such as Battery Hearn, Battery Geary, and Battery Crockett which are arsenal complexes containing big guns and cannons. Some appear intact but are riddled with Japanese bullet holes.
Once an island under relentless siege, Corregidor today sits quiet and calm amidst lush green hills and pristine blue waters. It holds the memories of valiant heroes, the rousing victories, the devastating defeats and the horrors of war etched among the shattered ruins and noble relics.
Fortunately for this generation, we relate to the war past only through stories told by our parents, from books we have read in school and through historical sites that serve as reminders of our heroic past.
On a recent out of town trip, we visited an island that stands out prominently for its historic legacy and significance in our country's history. It is a scene of many nostalgic visits by veterans of World War II and historians. The island is Corregidor, fondly called the Rock.
A fastcraft ride will ferry visitors to the island's dock where they will board tranvia buses, modeled after previously used cable cars. A knowledgeable and articulate tour guide will relate stories about each important site that they pass. Here are some of the most important settings of history that serve as reminders of the insanity of war:
GENERAL DOUGLAS MACARTHUR PARK: A larger than life synthetic statue of the General is erected at Lorcha Dock where he boarded the PT boat for Mindanao then on to Australia where he sent his famous message: "I Shall Return." And he did.
THE FILIPINO AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP PARK: A statue of a wounded Filipino soldier aided by an American soldier symbolizes the plight during the famous "Death March". It also portrays the enduring friendship of both countries.
PRESIDENT MANUEL L. QUEZON PARK: A bronze statue of President Quezon stands tall at the north entrance area of the Malinta Tunnel where he was inducted as President of the Commonwealth for a second term at the height of the Japanese invasion in Corregidor.
PACIFIC WAR MEMORIAL: Built by the Americans in 1968, it is dedicated to all allied forces during World War II. It includes a museum that houses war relics and artifacts. A dome shaped like a parachute in honor of the American troopers serves as a place of reflection and meditation. The Eternal Flame sculptured by Asistides made of steel round bars symbolizing the Flame of Freedom is also within the same complex.
THE JAPANESE GARDEN OF PEACE: Formerly a military cemetery for Japanese soldiers who perished in the war, the 2.2 hectare serves as a sanctuary for prayer by Japanese veterans and relatives. A 10 -foot Jibo Kannon stone Buddha - a Shinto Shrine - stands majestic at center.
GENERAL JONATHAN WAINWRIGHT'S MEMORIAL: The General, known as the Hero of Bataan, was given a Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the lives of his men during the Japanese siege. Beside his memorial is another marker known as the Angels of Bataan and Corregidor, dedicated in honor of the valiant American military women from the US Army and Navy who provided care and comfort to the defenders of Bataan.
The highlight of the tour is the Malinta Tunnel, which is 825 feet long and 24 feet wide with 24 laterals. Nestled beneath the Malinta Hill, the bombproof tunnel, which was used previously as an arsenal and hospital, became the headquarters for embattled Filipinos and Americans and served as the seat of the Philippine Government under Pres. Manuel Quezon.
Today, visitors can go back in time by watching the " Malinta Experience", a diorama simulating the actual events during the period from the Japanese invasion up to the liberation of Corregidor Island. The late National Artist Lamberto V. Avellana scripted the thirty-minute show. The moving scene ends with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem.
Other points of interest include a statue of the Filipina that served as source of PEACE and INSPIRATION for the Filipino soldiers and also the statue of President Sergio Osmeña, as a tribute to his exemplary role as President of the Philippine Commonwealth during the liberation period, accompanying General Douglas MacArthur in his Leyte landing to start the liberation of the Philippines.
The buildings and ruins include the Mile Long barracks, the Middle Side Barracks, the YMCA building ruins and the preserved batteries such as Battery Hearn, Battery Geary, and Battery Crockett which are arsenal complexes containing big guns and cannons. Some appear intact but are riddled with Japanese bullet holes.
Once an island under relentless siege, Corregidor today sits quiet and calm amidst lush green hills and pristine blue waters. It holds the memories of valiant heroes, the rousing victories, the devastating defeats and the horrors of war etched among the shattered ruins and noble relics.
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