A jaunt through time

Manila, Philippines - Both of my grandfathers fought with the guerrilla forces in the Philippines during World War 2. I remember hot summer afternoons as a kid when my Lolo Roding would share his stories as a young soldier doing reconnaissance work in Tarlac.

Similarly, my Lolo Pepe, who also joined the resistance in Iloilo, often recounted to me the instances when he saved an injured comrade or when he was caught in a stand-off with an enemy soldier on a bridge. I have always felt that these stories were from a different life, stories found in history books.

The island of Corregidor, the last foothold of the Allied Forces during the second world war, is where stories like these abound and where war veterans like my grandfathers would never be forgotten. It is where one can relive history and almost hear the unbearable sound of bombs falling and artillery fire that devastated the island.

Take a walk through time in the ruins of Middleside Barracks.

The Manila Hotel, as part of its centennial efforts this year, recently launched Experience Corregidor, a new room package that includes a guided day tour in Corregidor and other exclusive privileges. During the launch, guests and members of the press were invited to explore the island under the guidance and expertise of Manila Hotel and Sun Cruises.

The connection between the Manila Hotel and Corregidor is forged by their shared history. Corregidor was one of Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s two command posts in the Philippines, with the other being the Manila Hotel. On a personal note, the feelings that the two locations evoke in a Filipino like me is quite similar. Seeing both for the first time elicits a swelling of pride and reverence.

On the day of the trip, shuttles picked us up from Manila Hotel and brought us to the small jetty behind the Cultural Center of the Philippines where a boat was waiting to take us to Corregidor. The boat ride going to the island took about an hour.

Malinta Tunnel where a light and sound show brings history to life.

At first look, Corregidor is breathtaking. Now restored as a historic monument, Corregidor is an island of exceptional natural beauty, teeming with lush vegetation and animal life. Observing it from the boat, it’s so easy to forget that it was, once upon a time in history, a formidable fortress. Dubbed as “The Rock,” the island was once a stronghold of the USAFFE (United States Army Forces in the Far East) and the de facto seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government.

Once on the island, our group boarded colorful tranvias (tram cars) that are modern-day replicas of the electric street trams operated by the Manila Electric Railroad and Light Company (Meralco) in the early 1900’s. Each tranvia had an assigned tour guide and ours regaled us with an interesting narrative about the history behind each stop.

The tranvias took us to the most notable sites in Corregidor: Middleside Barracks; Batteries Way, Hearn and Grubbs; Cine Corregidor ruins; the Pacific War Museum; the Pacific War Memorial; the Monument of the Eternal Flame; the Corregidor Lighthouse; the Filipino Heroes Memorial; the Japanese Memorial; and the Malinta Tunnel where we experienced a lights and sound show that brought to life what went on in the tunnel during the war.

EXPLORE CORREGIDOR: Tourists visit the historical ruins of Mile Long Barracks (top), Malinta Tunnel (above left), the Fil-Am Friendship Park (above).STAR Photos by Joven Cagande

At noon, a buffet lunch was served at the Corregidor Inn where you can dine on the veranda and enjoy panoramic views of the island.

We expected an all-day droning deluge of historic facts; what we got was a fascinating jaunt through the island’s rich history that made me just a little bit sentimental and very proud of being a granddaughter of two war veterans.

So if you’re a lover of history, beautiful ruins, and spectacular views, or if you simply want to try something different this summer, check out Manila Hotel’s Experience Corregidor room package. It includes buffet breakfast for two persons, free WiFi, free use of the Health Club and pool facilities, and a guided day tour in Corregidor by Sun Cruises. A night in a superior deluxe room is priced at P9,745 net and one night in a sunset/sunrise suite is priced at P 19,100 net. Experience Corregidor is available from April 19 to September 31.

For more information, call 527-0011 local 1175 or visit www.manila-hotel.com.ph.

The Pacific War Museum displays an array of artifacts.