CORREGIDOR ISLAND... a portal to the past

   RUINS OF CORREGIDOR

Corregidor is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese forces during World War II.

Also known as "the Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan. Corregidor became the headquarters of the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government. It was from Corregidor that Philippine President Manuel Quezon and General MacArthur left for Australia in February 1942, leaving behind Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright in command.

Although Bataan fell on April 9, 1942, the Philippine and American forces held out at Corregidor for 27 days against great odds. On May 6, 1942, their rations depleted, the Allied forces were forced to surrender Corregidor to Lt. Gen. Homma Masaharu of the Japanese Imperial Army after having successfully halted the Japanese advance on Australia. It was only two years and ten months later in March 1945 when the Allied forces under the command of General MacArthur recaptured Corregidor ... making good his promise to return to the Philippines.

The big guns of Corregidor are now silent and the ruins of buildings, structures, and tunnels in the island tell a very moving story of a war that has claimed so many lives. 

A visit to this former battleground is a memorable experience especially for those who cherish and value peace and freedom. In his speech delivered at the signing of the surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri at Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur said, "It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past - a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice." 

Island Hopping in ZAMBALES...

               They say that traveling to different places is good for you learn so many things and at the same time you also learn to love your own country. As a self -proclaimed LAKWATSERA, the places I loved to visit are the places that are not yet discovered by so many people or foreign tourists from all over the world. The places which are soon to bloom and be discovered by its unique beauty.

               Last summer of 2010, I, together with my buddy tried to visit and experience the unique ambiance of the different islands or islets (i can say) in Pundaquit ZAMBALES. This place is very accessible if you are coming from Manila because its just 3 hours drive away from the place.

               Once you're there, a lot of little islands/islets will welcome you. You can choose whatever islands you wish to visit or stay for a while to chill and relax. For us, we opt to stroll to Capones Island and Anawangin Cove.

                In Capones Island, you will see beautiful rock formations and old lighthouse. In Anawangin, you will be amazed by its unique beauty. You will be surprised because at the back of its white sand beaches, tall pine trees will welcome you around the vicinity together with its natural spring. On this trip, I learned so many things. I discovered that the white sand in anawangin is a lahar from Mt. Pinatubo's eruption.I also discovered that before there were no pine trees around the vicinity but after the eruption they surprisingly grew into the forest that made the island more unique among any islands in the Philippines.          

A view of Anawangin cove from our boat

This is the island where Marian and Dingdong shoot their commercial for San Marino Tuna.

The Capones Island from afar

me,, at the capones island

A breathtaking view on top of the lighthouse

The big and slippery rocks of Capones Island

me,, at Anawangin Cove

              There are lots of activities you can do ones you're there. You can do island hopping, swimming, hiking, or even camping. Most people  go there by groups like company outing or even family outing.  Most of them do swimming and hire a tent for an overnight stay in anawangin.

              So, if you are planning to have a trip and want to see a unique place and soothing ambiance this summer, ZAMBALES is the best place to visit.

I SURVIVED SAGADA PHILIPPINES

            

              Last week of October is another week for families or group of friends/co-workers to relax and have a break to lessons, assignments, and many paper stuffs in school and in work. On this week we also commemorate our loved ones who already past away. So as a busy person who wants to have a break, relax, unwind and escape from the four walls of classroom me and my pals decided to go to a unique place that is free from STRESS!!!

              Since we know that beaches will surely be full during that week, we decided to go to another part of the country and visit the mountain range in the northern part of Luzon which  is SAGADA. I've read a lot of beautiful posts and comments about this place. I got curious every time I read articles about it so I tried to convince my friends to go there.

                On October 28, 2010 at exactly 8:30 pm we left at my friends' house to catch a bus to Banaue but since we are very unlucky because lot of people go home to their provinces, we end up riding on a bus to Baguio. We left Manila at 12:30 pm and we reached Baguio at exactly 7:30 am. After a minute, we ride in a cab to the Dangwa Terminal where we can catch a bus to Sagada. When we reached the Dangwa station we were shocked by the long line of people going to the ticket booth. Since we believed that "patience is a virtue" we tried our very best to fall in line. Imagine we are in line for almost 3 hours without eating anything... well that's life, if you really wants something you must really work hard to earn it.

               On our way to Sagada, we were so amazed by the beauty of the mountain range in Northern Luzon. As we are in the bus we felt like we were riding on a plane because of the sea clouds that surrounds the way. 

                After a long trip we already reached Sagada at exactly 4:30 pm. We immediately find some place to stay  for two days and we have chosen the Sagada Hotel (I forgot the exact name of the place). The place is fine for a practical traveler like me because its cheap yet neat and cozy. After putting down our bags and arranging our things, the first thing we did was to find a place where we can eat. We found one fastfood there and we ate red rice, adobo, and brewed cofee (delicious). After eating, we took a bath, took some pics and rest.

BURIAL CAVE

CHOCOLATE CAKE

SAGADA MAP

THE BELL NEAR THE CHURCH

RICE TERRACES INSIDE THE CAVE

HANGING COFFINS view from the ECHO VALLEY

WAY TO THE ECHO VALLEY

VIEW ALONG OUR WAY TO THE SUMAGING CAVE

                  The next day, we woke up early to eat some breakfast and stroll around the place. Once you're there you will really forget the busy life in manila for the place is very peaceful. There, you will appreciate the people who lives their life away from malls or high and huge infrastructures yet  people who have smiles on their faces because they are  happy and contented  with what they have. After eating, we go to the municipal hall to ask for a tour guide. There are lots of places that you can visit in Sagada. In the hall, we chose to have a tour guide to sumaging cave. While waiting for our tour guide we opt to stroll around before going to the cave. We went to the St. Mary's Church which is a model from the old church in New York, the Echo Valley, St. Mary's School, and the Hanging Coffins. While we are strolling we met a couple who are also traveling like us. They asked if they can join the tour so it will be less expensive for them since they are only two. So at exactly 10:30 am, we went back to municipal hall to meet Kuya (i also forgot his name) our tour guide and the couple.

                Our first stop is the Burial Cave. We saw different coffins there and its really amazing how they preserved the coffins for many years. From that tour I learned that the coffins were put only at the mouth of the cave so that it can be lightened by the sun's shine to the belief that the soul can travel easily to heaven. I have also learned that before, that place is believed to be part of the water for you can  see lime stones and seashells around the place.

               Our next stop is the Sumaguing Cave. Big and  slippery rocks will welcome you down to the cave so  for safety we need to put off our slippers and walk down barefooted. I felt nervous as we go inside that I almost thought that it we would be the end of the world because I can't see any light. But the little butterflies in my stomach changed into amazement and excitement by the beautiful lime stones and rock formations on the way. There, we have seen the prince, the king, the queen and the princess which is called as the Porn Cave. Why Porn Cave? it's for you to find out. We also saw chocolate, curtain, pig pen and its lost pig. By the way the activity that we did was called spelunking. On the tour I learned that the people there are really preserving the place by making it clean. I also learned that the people there are friendly and hospitable (how I wish that it will also be like here in Manila). After the tour we already go back to our hotel and took a bath. After that, we decided to have a dinner and buy some pasalubong for our families and friends. The next day, we woke up early to catch a bus from Sagada to Baguio and from Baguio to Manila. Again it was a long trip. We reached manila at exactly 8:30 pm. 

      
                Our adventure in Sagada was really great. Yes it's true that to travel from that place is very exhausting because of the long trip but very rewarding once you're already there because of its abundant beauty and grace. After the trip, I can really say now that I SURVIVED SAGADA PHILIPPINES!