Bid the island farewell

As I bid the island farewell after a day of historical rendezvous and astonishing discoveries, I recount some of the spots which captured my “patriotic spirit” the most. I consider these the more significant, or better yet, sacred places in Corregidor:

The Pacific War Memorial on the center of the island stands as one of the greatest monuments of heroism and love for freedom.

On the northern tip, outsized bronze murals were used to recount pieces of Philippine history in an artistic fashion.

In another part, a vast garden lies as a symbolic gesture of Japan’s remorse for the destruction they have brought to our people.

But nothing can compare to the “Malinta Tunnel Experience” – a 30 minute light and sound presentation inside the Malinta Tunnel itself.

The total darkness gives the perfect background to revive the episodes at play during the most important days on Corregidor. The smoke and dust effects added texture to the light and sound show, letting the tourist experience more intensely the narration about the fall of the island, the dramatic stories of soldiers during the war, and the great victory from the oppressors. The presentation ends with the playing of the Philippine National Anthem, a moment that would make every Filipino present very proud.

History is best appreciated if one can truly feel its true sense, how it contributes to the present and affects our future. These are what Corregidor has taught me, and I believe that I would be leaving the island more proud of my heritage.

Spirit Questors

Corregidor Island is not only known for its historical significance, but also noted for baffling stories of specter and unexplained sightings.

The Corregidor Hospital has been attached with testimonies of chilling occurrences and haunting encounters from thrill seekers and spirit questors who dared to explore the carcass of this once significant establishment. A stopover to this place was not a regular part of the tour, but the intriguing stories made me and my cousins want to visit the hospital. Our guide gave us directions how to reach the place, but refused to join. We left the other tourists who also declined our invite. Gladly, Tito Cesar and Tita Judith were up for the challenge.
The hospital complex lies on top of a hill, but is enclosed by thick forest trees. The main path is almost unnoticed and enclosed by entangled shrubs and enormous tree roots that sprang out from the ground. Finding the hospital itself is a daunting adventure.
What is left of the hospital are vast, dark and empty halls, punctured walls and columns resembling a skeleton of its remains. I couldn’t think but imagine how once it sheltered the injured especially during the heated moments of the war. Maybe the hallways of the hospital were filled with crying soldiers wounded from battle, while doctors and nurses run about to tend the more serious patients. I felt that Tita Judith, being a nurse herself, was moved by this experience.
Only the whistle of the wind and chirps of birds were the sounds I heard that morning. There were no more screaming and other traces of human suffering left, but these will be forever etched on the sides and pillars of the ruins. I kept on telling Greg to take pictures in conspicuous spots – chances are the ghosts we’re seeking might appear on one of his photos.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, none appeared.

Batteries are included

We have landed. This is it - the start of our day-long Corregidor Tour.

There are two choices on how to get around the island - first, for the more adventurous souls (and have booked a room or two in Corregidor Island Hotel), a day-long trek and hike. Warning though, be prepared as you would surely pass by wandering snakes and other forests creepers along the way. My group opted for the more convenient, but less cool option - colorful open tourist bus. Fiesta!

Thanks to the drizzle, the wind blows crisp, but the twisted, hilly, steep and narrow roads became slippery. The bus would stop once in a while along monuments and old ruins for tourist to take photo ops and listen to a tale or two courtesy of our tour guides. It's like grade school field trip all over again...

There were amazing spots around the island - several of which include batteries where in the old cannon-sized guns are still erected. Gigantic in proportions, these artilleries where used by the American soldiers to gun down tora-toras and battle ships - cool! There are also deep tunnels, bunkers, passage ways and underground holes which are quite daunting. I could feel the chills running through my veins (hmmm... sounds like a line from an old Alamid song). I have counted at least four major batteries visited by my tour group.

On top of one of these batteries, you could view the splendid South China Sea over the horizon, accentuated by grassy hills and lush flora that resembles a backdrop for a dramatic soap scene... where in the "bidang lalaki" would chase the "bidang babae" and chances would allow the male hero to raise his prized trophy girl by her curvy waist and spin around like there's no more tomorrow... how cheesy-romantic!

On a serious note, the batteries of Corregidor are standing monuments reminding us about the horrors of war. So many lives were lost and properties damaged by these monstrous instruments of man. But the more important thing is that we do not forget and continue to honor the courage and dignity of the heroes who have once fought for our freedom that we continue to cherish up to the present.

History 101: Corregidor, the Spanish, the Americans, and World War II

During the hour-long cruise aboard the MV Sun Cruises, backgrounders about Corregidor and related history lessons were taught to tourist and student excursionists. Let me share with you what I have gathered:

The name Corregidor comes from the Spanish word "magistrate".

The island is situated 26 miles west of Manila; it lies just off the southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula and guards the entrance to Manila Bay. It is dominated by huge limestone formation and is about four miles long and a half-mile at its widest point.

During the Spanish era, this tadpole-shaped island was a signaling station were bonfires were lit apprise Manila of an incoming galleon. Later, Spaniards built a lighthouse on the island.

Corregidor has witnessed numerous Philippine maritime highlights, among them, the destruction of a Spanish fleet by a squadron of U.S. naval convoy, and much earlier, the battle between Spain and Dutch privateers.

Photo courtesy of gregoryperez.

From 1941 to 1942, an embattled force of Filipino and American Soldiers fought one of the great delaying "tactics" of World War II. The big guns of Corregidor were used in support of Fil-Am defenders of Bataan until the island itself was invaded. The restless pounding by Japanese guns, including intermittent bombings reduced its defenses and compelled its surrender.

On January 1945, Corregidor was once again caught in the fury of war as the Americans retook the island after a bloody battle.

Indeed, this forlorn speck of land has played a pivotal part in Philippine and World War history. The stories and history lessons I heard and video clips continuously shown on monitor screens on board have made me much eager to see and experience, though the war remnants left on the island, the thrills and chills of Corregidor.

Sail away

It is a great day to sail away.

A few days ago, rain clouds and continuous drizzle overcast Manila. Today, I had no worries even if I need to take a ship to my destination - Corregidor Island.

November 12, 2004, Friday, around 8:15 am, aboard the MV Sun Cruises, I embark on a journey that will take me more that 60 years back in history during a period in time that most people would probably want to forget because of the tragedies and horror war has brought upon them. But it is also a trip that would remind me of the bravery, courage and heroism of our forefathers that has brought us to where we our today - a free nation.

I wouldn't probably be on this trip if it were not for my balikbayan relatives who wanted to visit Corregidor. I haven't been to this tiny but historically significant island along the southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula, yet I volunteered to be their "tour guide" for the rest of the day. Good thing, Sun Cruises provides very skillful and trained personnel who took care of everything during our tour of the island. My relatives, Tita Judith and her husband, Tito Cesar, haven't been home for more than 30 years. They have been living in Florida for almost half of their lives. This balikbayan trip was courtesy of their son, my cousin, Gregory, who wanted to spend an unforgettable 30th birthday by bringing his parents and his younger brother, Joe, here in the Philippines. Actually, it is Greg and Joe's first time to visit the country, and are both exited to discover the history and culture of their heritage.

Photo courtesy of gregoryperez

Manila Bay was gorgeous! The view of the city from afar is breathtaking - ang ganda pala ng Maynila sa malayo! The sea air was a breather especially for my balikbayan folks who were complaining much about the smog in the city. The one-hour cruise was quite enjoyable too.

I am confident, even I myself haven't been to Corregidor, that they will enjoy the place and will have a great historical blast!

Sagada is the "it" place

Big caves, big falls, big mountains, big everything… Sagada is one big adventure for city dwellers like me. But the metro habits of sight-seeing, shopping and dinning are things not to be belittled in Sagada. The town is not a commercialized place – thank God! You won’t find gaudy looking fast food outlets, expensive shops, fancy restaurants or banks here. But still, Sagada is the “it” place in these remote region of the Cordillera Mountain ranges.

After scrubbing off all the dirt from the long hike in Bomod-ok Falls, some friends and I hit the streets of the town to find fab souvenirs and take pictures of the town’s landmarks. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get good photos since I ran our of batteries & my camera won’t flash anymore… that’s why I’m borrowing photos from fellow Sagada travelers to show you some of the places I crashed into.

St. Mary’s Church

You wouldn’t miss this prominent structure that is visible from town proper. Situated within the Mission Compound, St. Mary’s is actually an Episcopal Church. Also found within the compound are St. Mary's School, the town cemetery, Calvary and the alleged bottomless pit of Kingkitongan. It is also in St. Mary’s wherein my friends and I met Dominic – our fury friend living within the vicinity of the church. He would follow us wherever we would go. Dominic does not beg for alms or food - he is actually an adorable sheep! It’s quite amazing - my first time to see and touch a live sheep – and it happened here in Sagada.

Souvenirs and Pasalubong

I bought a couple of shirts and wooden key chains as pasalubong from a side store near the Sagada Hospital. But for travelers with taste for better native stuff, the Sagada Weaving Store is the place for you. While shopping, you can witness an actual demonstration of old-fashioned weaving. Take note though, Sagadans don’t like to have their pictures taken. To them, having their photographs taken is tantamount to losing a part of their soul. So don’t get offended when they refuse to be photographed while weaving.

A grand feast
A celebration is just fitted to conclude our Sagada voyage. So we have decided to have our final dinner at one of the town’s prominent hotel/resto – a European Inn near the town hall. We had such a grand feast – a banquet of fresh vegetables, pasta, imported cheese and bread, exotic dips, roasted beef and wine. To continue our merry-making, we decided to buy additional drinks from a local store and brought it to our rooms after the sumptuous dinner we had.

We had all the reasons to be merry – we have enjoyed our moments in Sagada to the fullest!

I know there are still places left unexplored during this visit. Nevertheless, I know, one day I will be back and will not fail to visit these spots that I have missed:

The Kiltepan Rice Terraces are arguably the most extensive found in Sagada. The name was derived from the three bounding barangays: KIlong, TeTEP-an, and ANtadao. Though I managed to take a picture of this valley, it’s another great feat if I could trek the terraces the next time I visit.


The Echo Valley Hanging Coffins takes a little bit of adventurous spirit to be able to reach it. Hidden in the dense foliage of the valley, the hanging coffins are "hanged" from the limestone cliff using slabs driven into the rocks. Again, pictures where only taken and I promise not to miss this place again when I get back.


Visitors may follow the underground river in Latang upstream leading to Bokong waterfalls (or “small falls”). There are three natural diving spots - the highest of which require for the diver to run and jump far enough over some bushes to be able to reach the pool below. It’s much easier to reach the small falls compared to the big falls in Banga-an.

I should also visit Lake Danum located on the outskirts of Sagada. On the road going to the neighboring town of Besao, you can already take a glimpse of this dying lake.

And lastly, Mount Ampakaw – the tallest mountain in Sagada; locals say that this is an ideal picnic place during the months of April and May when the summer sun is pleasant and the blackberries are ripe for picking. Can't wait for that to happend. See you next time, Mt. Ampakaw!

That concludes my Sagada Blog series. Well, it’s only the beginning, there’s so much more places that I would be sharing and blogging about. So just hang on…

The Grandeur of Bomod-ok Falls

Big Falls
Originally uploaded by RyanG.

Let's have a picnic at Bomod-ok Falls!

After taking our breakfast from a local pancake house within the Sagada town proper, our group decided to embark on our next target, the Bomod-ok Falls. Bringing along our packed lunch, bathing suits and towels, we rented a jeepney inclusive of a tour guide that will bring us approximately five kilometers away in the town of Banga-an, where the falls, popularly known as "Big Falls" because of its enormous size, is located.

It took our group almost two hour to trek down the mountain (with a height equivalent to two-28 storey buildings) and hike through the rice fields. Hearing the sound of flowing water as we approach our destination is like sweet music to our ears. From afar, we could already see traces of mist that was carried by the strong air current through the mountains covering Big Falls.

The grandeur of Bomod-ok Falls - what a site to behold! Enclosed by two mountains, the falls is approximately 300-ft. high. No one among us dared to go to the pool directly beneath the falls, except for my friend, Dexter, who actually went up to the mid level and jumped off straight into the bottomless basin. It was such a crazy act - nevertheless, it was an unforgettable experience for Dexter.



There was a smaller pool surrounded by large rocks connecting the fall's basin with the rapid rivers flowing down through the other parts of the Banga-an valley. In both case, they have viciously frigid running water.



We had a pleasant time bathing, eating our lunch, and relaxing until we started our hike back. I was also surprised to see young Sagada, probably aged 9 to 12, swimming and diving in Bomod-ok. The falls is one big playground for these kids, which I quite envy because you'll never have this kind of fun and access to such great wonder back in the city (or anywhere near Manila even).

Walking and climbing back to Banga-an is yet another arduous task. We have no choice since our jeepney taking us back to the Sagada is waiting for us up there.

Before entering the town proper, we stopped by the Echo Valley for some drinks and pictures amidst the exotic flowers of the garden. We decided not to go up to the Hanging Coffins also located at Echo Valley since we were all beat from our Big Falls trudge.

This was our last afternoon in Sagada. We shall be leaving for Baguio the next morning. But I have still time for one more exploit before the sun goes down - souvenir-hunting, Sagada style!