The Corregidor Walking Tour: Of Bombs, Big Guns & Lost Gold!

I first met Ivan Man Dy in 2009 when he invited me along with several travel bloggers in a tour in Malacanang Palace. It was an educational tour where we do the walking and Ivan do the talking. It was an informative day highlighted by the fact that we actually met and was greeted by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. So when Ivan sent me an e-mail for another Walking Tour, this time in Corregidor, I instantly said yes.

Spanish Lighthouse

A Flip-Board and the Mile-Long Barracks

'Of Bombs, Big Guns and Lost Gold: WWII Tales Declassified ' is the 6th installment in the Old Manila Walks historical tour series. This is a collaboration between Corregidor's main logistical and tour provider, Sun Cruises and Old Manila Walks- the city's leading historical/cultural tour outfit. Unlike the bus tour which takes you on a general overview of the whole island, this historical hike is essentially concentrated on the war memorial zone (aka the historic core) of the island and uses this setting as a backdrop in the discussion of the WWII theme of the walk.

The Brothers in Arms Statue as Seen from Cine Corregidor

Inside Bachelor's Barracks

This tour provides for a broader,more chronological, contextual, insightful and perhaps even critical understanding of WWII in the country through the use of creative visuals backed by a multi-discilpinary approach to historical interpretation (e.g. combining millitary as well as social,cultural and architectural history). It's an exercise for both the body and for the mind.

Big Guns of Battery Way

Sun Cruise Tram in front of the Old Hospital

The Walking Tour starts at the Spanish Lighthouse which is located at the highest point of Corregidor Island. The tour will then walk you through several historical landmarks such as the Spanish Flagpole, Bachelor's Barracks, Cine Corregidor, Mile-Long Barracks, Battery Way, Old Hospital, Pacific War Memorial and Museum and will culminate at the Eternal Flame Monument.

Walking in the Outskirts

Pacific War Memorial

In every step of the way, Ivan will tell you stories about military strategies, enemy invasions, lost treasure and conspiracy theories. I am even tempted to tell you some of the historical ironies, secrets and deceptive propaganda about the war that Ivan has excitingly told us but that will spoil the fun.

Eternal Flame Monument

The tour costs an affordable Php 1,750.00 per head and is inclusive of the Guided Tour, Ferry Transfers and Island Entrance Fee. Buffet Lunch at Corregidor Inn is OPTIONAL (not inclusive) and maybe availed prior at P450.00 per head. Plated lunch options are available too. The tour is scheduled to be offered by February 2013 with initial runs every weekends (Sundays).

For more information including inquiries and reservations, you may contact Ivan at the following:

website: www.oldmanilawalks.com

e-mail: fun@oldmanilawalks.com

mobile 0918-962-64-52 (that's 0918-9MANILA)

landline: (632) 711-38-23

facebook: Old Manila Walks