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Corregidor Virtual TourMo Ludan | May 18, 2009 | 20 comments | Print | E-mail The next stop takes us to the highlight of the tour, a visit to Pacific Memorial Shrine. The memorial was completed in 1968. A “Brothers-in-Arms” statue of a couple of battle-scarred Filipino and American soldiers greets the visitor. The statue is a constant reminder of the enduring bond that exists between the two nations. The memorial’s design resembles a World War II parachute. Radiating lines cascade from atop its white dome. Reyes points out that the shrine is positioned in such a way that on May 6 of every year (the day the island fortress fell), the high noon sun shines directly down through a hole atop the dome right smack on the center of the round marble altar. Etched on the altar is this touching prayer that starts with the lines: “Sleep My Sons. Your Duty Done. For Freedom’s Light Has Come….” The campaigns in the Pacific are memorialized on a row of huge marble tablets that line the promenade leading to the awesome Monument of the Eternal Flame of Freedom. The soaring, steel structure sits on a raised platform above a reflecting pool. Visitors are treated to a spectacular view of Manila Bay, the Bataan Peninsula, and the coastline of Cavite, former home port of the U.S. Navy in the Far East. To symbolize the flame of freedom burning eternally, the sculpture is powered by a solar-generated electric array. Next stop is the memorial’s library + visitors’ center, which contains inspiring war stories and memorabilia. The recapture of Corregidor has produced a couple of Medal of Honor recipients, including Lloyd G. McCarter, Private, U.S. Army, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (see Special Feature, July 2009, Armchair General magazine). The center features one of three recipients in the defense of Bataan (1942) named Jose Calugas, Sergeant, U.S. Army, 88th Field Artillery, Philippine Scouts (the only Filipino so honored). During a noontime break, tour guests Dr. Rudy Sabater and daughter Cecille take a respite in the colorful tramvia. Moments later, Reyes leads the tour group toward the topside flagpole, made famous in wartime newsreel. A visit to renovated Corregidor Lighthouse, built by the Spaniards in 1836, marks the tour’s last stop. Nearby is a dedication plaque from the government of Spain. Before returning to Manila, we gather for buffet lunch at the 31-room, Spanish colonial style Corregidor Inn. We are ushered into the vast veranda, overlooking Manila Bay. There the chef waits to greet us. As if on a cue, fresh breeze from the Bay starts to waft across the veranda, sweeping aside the warm, humid air that’s been gathering since noon over the lush tropical island. At 2:30 PM, Sun Cruises Day Tour is on its way back to Manila for a 4 PM arrival—plenty of time to head back to my hotel on Roxas Boulevard, freshen up, sit back, and watch from my hotel room balcony the magnificent Manila Bay sunset, a chilled San Miguel beer faithfully by my side. (I wish to thank Tour Guide Carlos B. Reyes of Sun Cruises, Inc., Manila, and my hosts, Drs. Rudy and wife Flory Sabater of Sabater General Hospital, Metro Manila, and daughter Cecille, for their invaluable assistance. Mo Ludan, Camano Island, WA.) Pages: 1 2 3Help Armchair General by bookmarking to
            Tags: Historical Figures, travel, World War II
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20 Comments to “Corregidor Virtual Tour”
An excellent article. I did the same tour earlier in Jan this year and recommend it to anyone going to Manilla. It is possible that the stubborn defence of the Philipines slowed up the Japanese (it took about 4 months longer than they anticipated) and allowed Australia and the Commonwealth nations to bolster the defence of the Pacific (New Guinea et al).
By Gavan Lim-Joon on May 18, 2009 at 10:44 pm
An outstanding virtual tour of one of the most heroic sites of any war in US history. More so than (and I’m going to outrage the Texans, including my wife, with this) the Alamo. The courage of the American and Filipino troops on Bataan and Corregidor is only stained by the perfidy of Franklin D Roosevelt in directing the bulk of the war effort to Europe, a decision that cost the lives of thousands of troops from the Phillipines and the USA. One of our family’s friends was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He only spoke of it once…he was quite drunk at the time, but his story was one that he could only tell in that condition: a tale of horror that is unrivaled in modern history. The Nazis were outmatched by the brutality of the Japanese. Nuff Said.
By Mike Halvorsen on May 19, 2009 at 9:31 pm
The visit to Corregidor was well done and awakes the importance of history being factual and not swayed by political nonsense.
WBA
By William B. Armstrong on May 26, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Excellent article! Had FDR heeded the pre-1941 pleas of Churchill for warships et al , the US war machine might have been better positioned to respond to Quezon/MacArthur in a more timely fashion, sparing the lives of many…
By Alex Odell on May 28, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Great article, I could feel the sun and the breeze just reading! These little known facts are being changed by historians that just don’t care to get it accurate. Thanks for the “virtual tour”.
By Stuart Lervick on Jun 3, 2009 at 10:42 am
Congratulations, ACG. Your Corregidor Virtual Tour has done a great service to the Filipino people. You have given them a rare recognition, now mostly forgotten in U.S. classrooms and ignored by Hollywood and the mass media (e.g., PBS, History Channel), of their sacrifices, bravery, and loyalty resisting, under the American flag, the brutal Japanese invaders.
Maritez Reyes Agag
Kapolei, Hawaii
By Maritez Retes Agag on Jun 14, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Thanks, ACG.
Your Corregidor Virtual Tour has done a great service to the Filipino people. You have given them a well-deserved recognition of their sacrifices, bravery, and loyalty in resisting, under the American flag, the brute force of Japanese invasion and subsequent occupation.
Martiez Reyes Agag
Kapolei, Hawaii
By Maritez Reyes Agag on Jun 15, 2009 at 1:50 am
Enjoyed the virtual tour – and the real one. I was there a few years ago.
K. Geyer
By Karl Geyer on Jun 17, 2009 at 6:42 pm
As to quote Captian Bob Milhelland, retired, “This is a great article and well written It sounds like a great trip
By Al Orsland on Jun 19, 2009 at 4:21 pm
You have given them a well-deserved recognition to the Filipino of their huge sacrifices, and loyalty in resisting, under the American flag, and the force of Japanese invasion.
By Al Orsland on Jun 19, 2009 at 4:26 pm
If I ever get the opportunity this sounds like a wonderful trip to Manilla lots of information makes it very enjoyable to read if you can’t get there yourself. I would love to be able to take my grandchildren so they can see the great history. Thank you Mr. Ludan
By Al Orsland on Jun 19, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Great shrine.
Grateful people.
Gorgeous beaches.
General, We Shall Return.
Emil and Ruby Helman
By Emil Helman on Jun 20, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Would FDR have a change of heart and priorities if it were Prime Minister Churchill, instead of ailing Filipino Commonwealth President Quezon desperately rallying his countrymen under the protection of the American flag, who was in that miserable hellhole called “Malinta Tunnel”?
I’d bet the ranch the answer is “Yes.”
Tim Gil
San Francisco
By Tim Gil on Jun 21, 2009 at 3:43 pm
An excellent, you-are-there virtual tour de force.
Joselito Pascual
Anaheim, CA
By Joselito Pascual on Jul 2, 2009 at 3:11 am
Who wouldn’t be ticked off by duplicitous FDR?
As described by an eyewitness at Malinta Tunnel, Maj. Gen. Charles A. Willoughby in his book, “MacArthur,” McGraw Hill, N.Y. 1954.
“(Ailing Philippine Commonwealth President) Quezon felt caged and frustraed whenever he heard the suave fireside voice telling America about the thousands of aircraft that would shortly be coming from the assembly lines and on their way – to Europe!”
Quezon was listening on a transmitter radio for daily news from the U.S.
By Roby Espiritu on Jul 25, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I finally went to Corregidor about a year ago after wanting to do it for so long. I was very impressed with the island and was trying to imagine the daily life there at that time. It made me think that at that time, they did not want military personnel to mix with the civilian population. After all, a soldier garrisoned in Corregidor would have no means of leaving the island on his own.
By andy on Aug 4, 2009 at 6:15 am
An excellent tour. I was lucky enough to be in Mr Reyes’s tranvia. His erudition added a sense of dimension to the tour. I recommend it to all visitors of Manila.
By tropicq on Aug 4, 2009 at 6:20 am
Thanks to ACG for featuring Corregidor in your july issue,This historic island is where Filipino and American soldiers shed blood ,sweat and tears in their fight for freedom and Democracy.The article and virtual tour high lights Corrgidor as a Philippine tourist destination and its war memorial tour.
Thanks a lot to Col(ret.)Jerry Morelock, Editor in chief of ACG and Mr.Romulo Ludan for the privilege of being featured in such a prestigious American magazine.
By Carlos Reyes
Tour Guide of the Dept.of Tourism and
Sun Cruises inc.(coreregidor Is.) Aug.20.2009
By carlos reyes on Aug 21, 2009 at 2:41 am
Great! Very enjoyable read.
By Drew Ellison on Nov 10, 2009 at 2:11 am