Corregidor sits on a strategic location at the mouth of Manila Bay and its fortifications have always managed to defend the entrance of Manila Bay. As a result, when the Japanese invaded the Philippines, Corregidor was the last remaining U.S.-Filipino stand. The defenders held out for a significant time, but in the end the island fell to the Japanese.
Nowadays Corregidor is a national shrine, where visitors can see the network of underground bunkers and the rusty relics of the old fortress armaments. The ruins serve as a military memorial to American, Filipino and Japanese soldiers who slost their lives there.
The ruins of military buildings and equipment can still be seen all over the island.
Bottomside is the lower part of Corregidor. During WWII, Barangay, or Barrio San José, was South of Bottomside. To the north was Army Dock with three large piers. The Malinta Tunnel is now home to an audio-visual presentation. It is to the east and it runs through Malinta Hill, which separates Bottomside from Tailside.
The island's largest area points towards the west Philippine Sea and rises prominently to thr large flat area of Topside. During WWII, the army headquarters and the communications center were located just beneath Topside. The lighthouse on Topside is one of the oldest landmarks in Corregidor. It dates from 1853.
Middleside is a small plateau that interrupts the upward slope from Bottomside to Topside. Constructions, such as the officers' quarters, the barracks for the enlisted men and a hospital were located there during WWII.
Tailside consists of the rest of the island. It is home to several memorials and shrines to sommemorate the fallen soldiers. Corregidor's airstrip of Kindley Field is also located there. It was built in the 1920s.
Every day at 8 AM, the MV Sun Cruiser ferry to Corregidor leaves from the dock near Manila's cultural center. On weekends extra services are available. Corregidor is part of Cavite City and it is about 48 km (30 mi) west of Manila's coast, across the Bay of Manila.
Corregidor Island ©Precy Salazar
Corregidor Island ©Precy Salazar
