Corregidor

I was there, May 15, 2011.

The Managing Editor of the University Press of First Asia, Ms. Cho Fernandez, organized a tour among the her authors to the historic Corregidor Island. It was a hot day but it was a day I realized the severity of World War II in terms of material and human costs. I shall forever remember these scenes.

The tourist buses were designed after the tram cars which once ply to and fro the island. Each bus had an assigned tour guides who simply loved to talk. 

In December 29, 1941, Corregidor was bombed and strafed by the invading Japanese. And in April 1942, it was subjected to bombardment from land and air such as no other area (of its size) in the world ever received. By May 6, it fell into the hands of the Japanese.

The Ruins of a theater. The island fortress, during its heyday, was replete with facilities to make to life of the inhabitants comfortable.

The island fortress was well-protected from attacks from the seas. However, it has no aerial cover.

The aggressive and non-stop attacks of the Japanese Army can be seen from the gashes of these walls.

The famed Malinta Tunnel. Pres. Manuel L. Quezon's health deteriorated in this tunnel and was advised by his physicians to leave for the United States. There, he eventually died of tuberculosis.

 

The Mountains of Mariveles, Bataan as viewed from La Playa Restaurant. What lies behind those mountains? The island's proximity to Bataan plus their interconnected histories almost made me believe that it is a part of the Province of Bataan. But no! It is a part of the Province of Cavite.

The Lorcha Dock, this is where Mc Arthur departed for a submarine ride to Australia.