With the aggressive market for adventure seekers, the
historical and war memorial island of Corregidors is opening their another side
to its visitors, this is the adventure trail as part of 584 hectares of island
that usually skip by many due to their time limitations or visit purpose in
this Cavite territory place.
Announce during a Bloggers Tour last March 9 and 10, Sun
Cruises, the sole tour operator of Corregidor Island aims to attract more of
millennials and adventurist crowd to showcase sites that usual guests didn’t
get to see, this attractions are not new but in terms of having new activities
and go to see sites, they recommend the following as come on for those who
visit Corregidor in the past, and aims to go back and explore hidden gems of
this tadpole shape island.
 |
| Malinta Tunnel |
The Night Lateral
Tour
For overnight staying guest, this is so far the most
exciting excursions you could do inside Malinta tunnel, this is after you
witness the lights and sounds show during afternoon tour. Night Lateral tour
takes place after sunset, it is exciting in a way after hearing historical
facts from tour guides, your interest level went up to see more of those dark
passages.
In the night tour you will explore more of tunnels in the
deepest darkest possible, power with flashlights and helmets, facts and datas
from guides are non-stop enough for you to imagine what is life inside it way
back time immemorial, highlights of it are the secret way Gen. Douglas
Macarthur used before he fled to Australia, the temporary hospital at the time
of bombing, the air passage from the outside will make you cringe due to its
coldness, President Manuel Quezon chamber in one of laterals, and some unearthed
portion of laterals that even your guides cannot explain what’s underneath it.
Amidst it’s gloomy darken episode, there will always fun
in every curves and turn, our group is lucky to have Mr. Ed Gorion as our
guide, his antics in directing you in every lateral is a fun mix with handful
of information overload.
My tips for you here is to wear a very light outfit, expect
sweat and heat inside laterals which is part of adventure, no need to worry if
you will fit in in those passages, its American built tunnel so expect a huge
opening in most areas, by the way bullfrogs are notable tenants in some
laterals.
 |
| Sunrise View in Corregidor Island |
Sunset to Sunrise
chasing
We all know how beautiful sunset in Manila bay,
Corregidor is part of that and sunset viewing is best to this island, a viewing
deck is set in Battery Grubbs wherein you can have the full view of the sun
bidding goodbye for a day, a tip here is don’t blink your eyes during the last
golden hours where the colors of the sky change seconds per seconds.
Wake up early the next day is awesome to catch the new
day thru sunrise chasing, this time the view is more breathtaking at the end
part of Eternal flame, this part is the best area to see the end tail of the
island.
 |
| Entrance to Japanese Tunnel |
 |
| Going up from Japanese Tunnel |
Japanese Tunnel
Besides sunrise viewing area is the short trail going to
the Japanese Tunnel, this part is a good way to start your day, hiking a little
bit and passing to some old ruins is amazing, nearest to this is the Senior
Officers house where the Balete tree invade the old ruins.
 |
| Ruins with Balete invasion at Senior Officers House |
The Japanese tunnel has a small opening, you have to duck
walk a little in order to fit in, a part of going up is where the adventure
begins, you have to hold on tight to the ropes in order to complete the
journey, last part is the ladder with human size fit opening, it’s just a short
way up but it’s worthwhile.
 |
| South Beach Area. (Special Thanks to Dermcare Sunscreen Lotion) |
Swimming Area
Many impressions for Corregidor is just a historical
sites, but hey look for more and they have a good spot for swimming area right
at the South Beach, which is a good walk away from Corregidor Inn. Even though
it’s not a perfect white sand, the Stoney start leading to good swimmable part
is fun while you try to beat the heat of the sun.
Just a note, if you swim in the morning up to noon, just
ready yourself because the salt water is extremely cold at those time, kayaking
is also offer in this area.
Other Adventures
Sun Cruises also encourage and pushing for Bike and
Walking tours, it’s a healthy lifestyle for traveler and Corregidor is the perfect
spot to do this, they have roads and trails so it will be easy to navigate the
whole island, it’s an add on and a separate fees for those who want to avail, a
special skilled guide will be assign to manage the ins and going around the
sites.
Take note that as for now, Corregidor don’t have bike units
for rentals, you need to bring in your bikes so it will be best for you since
you know best in riding your own bikes. Bike tour and walk tour has a minimum
of 5 persons. Walking tour rates start at P2, 100 and P2, 500 for bike tour.
Camping is also offered especially for big tour packages,
they have hostel that can accommodate almost a 60 pax and the Hotel that can
house 60 pax, they also have game areas to do held sports fest or adventure
race. Children ages 3 to 11 are free of charge in entrance and in ferry.
 |
| Corregidor Inn |
The Plan for Corregidor
The island is manage by Corregidor Foundation where
members are from Department of National Defense, Tourism Infrastructure
Economic Zone Authority and others while Sun Cruises from Magsaysay group of
companies is the only supplier for tour and manage the Corregidor Inn, annually
they are targeting 57,000 tourist both domestic and international.
TIEZA already prepared a master plan for the future of
this glorious valor venue, for the Sun Cruises they are developing the soon to
open swimming pool as added amenities they can offer to their guest, their La
Playa Restaurant offers best tasting Filipino foods that is so yummy and
perfect for hungry stomach after a full day of exploration around the island,
it is buffet most of the time.
 |
| War Memorial Museum |
Janet Borlangadan, General Manager of Sun Cruises told us
that for past 30 years they been in Corregidor, they assure the public that
they are doing a good business especially now a days that Manila Bay is
undergoing rehabilitation, they are not contributing any harm to its seas and
to the environment, their sewerage treatment facilities are in good condition along
with their waste segregation program, as well as their ferries which is
strictly monitored and evaluated by numerous government agencies.
“We are in conformant to all government mandated regulations,
I’m banking on the fact that we belong to Magsaysay group of companies we
wouldn’t trade our reputations like 70 years in the industry that we are not
complying, even yung mga boats namin in compliance yan sa DENR regulations, how
we throw away our garbage na hindi kami sa dagat nagtatapon, ang permits namin
all are updated, and then we welcome yung mga Government agency to do spot
checking, I’m proud to say that for the past 30 years or so we haven’t had any
issues.” Borlangadan said.
One weakness the island has is the supply of water, they
have good potable water system enough to maintain the needs of their staff and
guest, this are the main reason why until now they haven’t put up any backyard or
organic garden that can help in their food supply, if time comes for the TIEZA
Masterplan to be implemented, this is one thing she assure that they will do
since its their dream to put up green houses for herbs and vegetables.
 |
| Ms. Janet Borlangadan, Mr. Ed Gorion and Precy Mendoza of Sun Cruises |
This past years, most of the tourist they have aside from
Filipinos, are Americans, Japanese and Chinese, they have huge arrival also for
Indonesians, and European tourist courtesy of shore excursions via Cruise Ship
Liners that visits Manila. Field trip by schools is still one loyal market they
have for Corregidor.
Loyalty program will soon be launch according to Ms.
Janet, this will give advantage for returning guests of Corregidor.
“Main product of Sun cruises is the Corregidor, aside
from business etu eh advocacy na rin ng company to preserve Corregidor that a
younger generations should not forget about the heroic deeds of our forefathers,
mga veterans.” Janet added in closing.
 |
| Sun Cruises |
The rates
Sun Cruises number best-selling package is a day tour,
rate start at P3,358 for weekdays and P3,629 for weekends, inclusion of this
are round trip ferry, buffet lunch and tour via Tranvia. Overnight package rate
is at P7, 500 for two person that comes with ferry round trip ticket and full
board meals, add ons are P650 per persons for outdoor activities like the Night
Lateral tours.
“If you do overnight it’s a total package because you
have the tour, you can do activities, you can do night swimming.” Gorion said
who happen to be the Resident Manager as well of Corregidor Inn.
Sun Cruises leaves daily at 7 am in Esplanade Seaside
Terminal, Seaside Boulevard, SM MOA Complex in Pasay City. ETA in Corregidor is
9 am and the start of guided tour, Fery depart from Corregidor is at 2:30pm and
4pm ETD in Seaside terminal.
Comments