Experience Corregidor

A Filipino tourist in the Philippines - quite oxymoronic if you ask me. But that was exactly how I felt last February 5, 2011.

When I was in first grade, our teacher asked us to collect postcards of top tourist spots in the Philippines. My classmates rushed to buy postcards of Banaue Rice Terraces, Boracay, Chocolate Hills and Mayon Volcano. I, on the other hand, have settled with a postcard of Corregidor – thus depicting its famous grime-colored cannons and armory. I was not aware of anything remotely significant about this island, except it was a war-ridden sanctuary somewhere in southwest Luzon.

I have never been to Corregidor until that fateful Saturday in early 2011.

Firstly, I was thoroughly impressed with how the government (probably the National History Institute) preserved bits and pieces from the wars the island has endured in the 40s – its triumphs and pains, atrocities and grandeur, historicity and technologies – it was all there. I thought the Malinta Tunnel Show was brilliantly woven, as the raconteur’s booming voice captured every fiber of attention among its spectators. The dark, claustrophobic feel the place evokes senses of fear and apprehension probably felt by its Filipino and American dwellers before. No wonder President Quezon’s tuberculosis worsened during his stay there.

Secondly, the ruins of the barracks showed tourists on how the American government invested in their militaristic ventures in Asia. The presence of cinemas, churches and conjugal houses gave our soldiers a semblance of a normal life, despite recurring attacks from the Japanese contingent.

Next, the Pacific War Memorial and museum serve as reminders on how each drop of blood, sweat, toil and tear protected the Philippine nation. Impressively, the museum features all sorts of military paraphernalia and tools for daily life. One can laugh at the pervasiveness of American capitalism early on, as the Coca Cola bottle displayed under glass withstood the mayhems.

Of course, one cannot ignore the grime-colored cannons and war equipment famously illustrated in postcards. Their enormity are not well-justified in photographs, as well as their monstrosity in killing multitudes with one strike.

For a Filipino tourist in the Philippines, Corregidor is too much to absorb in one day. Indeed, how can a significant percentage of the population not go to this historical site? Before going to Rome’s Colosseum and Athen’s Parthenon, I think it is imperative for all Filipinos to spend an afternoon at our very own sites.

Corregidor was just a war-ridden sanctuary to me before February 5. But now, I realized that this island is more than cannons, ruins, tunnels and war: the island is a cornucopia of painful and sublime memories made by the valorous men from Philippines, United States and Japan.

With this trip, I do hope I cease to be a tourist in my own country, and just be one thing: a proud Filipino.

Written by: Bianca Baluyut, 4-BS CTM

A trip to Corregidor could really be memorable and unique experience with its breath taking views and rich history to both local and foreign tourists. Despite being a very small island, it contains a lot of architectural and military structures – which withstood the Second World War and endured the passage of time – that will surely overwhelm our hearts and make us feel small before such wonders.

However, just like any other soldier who is going to engage in a battle, we should be prepared enough to be able to successfully conquer the island and emerge victorious at the end of the journey. Below then are some of the proven and tested skills and weapons that you should possess to have a triumphant and worthwhile journey.

Tip#1: BE A SPY

Skill: An eye for beauty

Weapon: Camera with a fully charged battery

To ensure that your experience of Corregidor is immortalized, bring a decent camera.  A simple point-and-shoot camera would be enough to capture the moment, although the place could also be a haven for the professional photographers as they would have a wide selection of objects to capture. Although convenient, resigning to bringing a mere cellphone camera might become resentful once you have arrived in the island.

However, having a camera is not enough. Most of the tourists take pictures of themselves and any random scenery so often that they ran out of batteries even before the journey ends. Thus, it would be wise either to be prudent in taking pictures – a single shot or two in a particular place would be enough – or bring extra batteries so that you can take pictures as often as you wish. Of course make sure that all your batteries are properly working (they do not drain easily) and are fully charged! 

Tip#2: BE ARMOURED

Skill: Alertness on emergencies

Weapon: First aid kit

The island of Corregidor could be considered one of the safest place in the Philippines since it is being administered by the government. However, it would still be prudent if you bring some first aid kit just in case you get some scratches because you get so excited during the tour and accidentally wounded yourself.

Moreover, do not forget to bring medicines that would help you have a hassle-free adventure. Some of the must-not-forget medicines are paracetamol (e.g. Biogesic – pain reliever/ fever reducer), meclizine (e.g. Bonamine – prevents nausea caused by motion sickness while travelling) and loperamide (e.g. Diatabs – to treat diarrhea). Bring other medications that you need to take as well if you have other health issues such as inhalers if you have asthma or anti-allergy medications.

Tip#3: STOCK UP!

Skill: Carrying enough snacks and drinks to munch on

Weapon: Travel-friendly snacks and drinks

Even if the island is small, travelling through it could be very tiring and having sustained energy throughout the journey could be challenging. To prevent this, you may bring food and drinks in your backpack. This will not only save you from hunger, but also from the very expensive food in the island (one bag of chips that is only around 25 pesos in a grocery in Manila is worth 40 pesos in the island!). Just make sure that you bring food that are easy to bring and eat to have a hassle-free munching experience.

Tip#4: CONQUER WITH STYLE

Skills: Purposeful dress up

Weapon: Comfortable and protective clothes and footgear

While it would be nice for a tourist to be stylish while travelling, it should be done alongside comfort and practicality. It is highly encouraged to wear tops made of cotton to withstand the heat of the scorching sun. Partner it with pants or shorts made of jeans or any durable material that are loose enough to make you walk (and run) comfortably. Lastly, wear rubber shoes or sandals that can provide enough protection and support to your feet. You may also bring extra shirts if you become too sweaty and an umbrella or cap to protect yourself from the sun (or rain).

Written by: Grey Diamante and Gerard Valena

A vanguard haiku by Victor P. Gendrano, a member of a member of the Haiku Society of America, the World Haiku Club, World Haiku Association, Tanka Society of America, and the Anglo-Japanese Tanka Society

…………………………….

made to movie
Bataan death march
too real for me

my brother
at fifteen learns
to shoot and kill

my sisters
still in high school
became first-aiders

through jungles
I carry their
provisions

my parents
hide their tears
on lonely nights

bayonets do not
discriminate
they only kill

women brigade
smuggling food
to prisoners

barely fourteen
she suffers silently
in nakedness

against their will
young girls became
comfort women

take your pick
bayonet or malaria
or play dead

wayside graves
no sign nor cross
long way from home

he dies
with the natives he helped -
Japanese soldier

in war
everybody loses
but war itself

Bataan, Corregidor
Capas, Manila
remember them

(Source: athenaeum-haiku.blogspot.com)