Saturday, January 26, 2013

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:

mobile 0918-962-64-52 (that's 0918-9MANILA)
landline: (632) 711-38-23
facebook: Old Manila Walks

20 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful tour!! I would have loved to have gone!! Hope all is going well, Oman!! Enjoy your weekend!!

    Sylvia

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    1. Thanks Sylvia, Enjoy your weekend too :)

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  2. This looks fun. I'll check it out.

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  3. Is he the same guy in Bourdain's Street Food Walk? Awesome.

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    1. Yes he is. Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks Fame :)

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  4. I've always wanted to go to Corregidor. I'd like to climb the lighthouse and visit the underground tunnels.

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    1. It is an easy climb up the lighthouse where you will have an awesome view of the island.

      I will have a separate post on the Malinta Tunnel soon.

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  5. I have been there before but that was not a walking tour. We went to a tunnel where there is a light and sound show. I would love to go back there again and experience its history on foot.

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    1. Hi Uno, you are referring to the Malinta Tunnel Light and Sound Show. This time however, we didn't do the usual Malinta Tour but we went inside the laterals of the tunnel specifically in the hospital in the Malinta Tunnel.

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  6. Ang lapit lang nito sa amin pero hindi ko pa din na-vivisit...

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    1. Try to visit it one of these days and try the Walking Tour for a more historival perspective.

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  7. I love Corregidor. Been there thrice, but the last time's been eons ago. And I've never tried the walking tour; sound's interesting. I particularly like your montage header - AND the new title! :)

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    1. Thanks "Eye". This is my 2nd time in the island with the first visit similar to normal bus/tram trips.

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  8. oman, is it advisable to tag along kids ages 10 & above? ma-appreciate n kaya?

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    1. I think for 10 year old, meron naman na silang historical recognition so pwedeng-pwede ang tour sa kanila. However, check mo rin kung medyo scholarly na sila o laro lang ang gusto kasi if it is the latter baka di sila mag-enjoy.

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  9. Visited Corregidor more than a decade ago and I can't remember anything except for stalking my crush in Malinta Tunnel. LOL. This sounds like a very educational tour. But of course, that's Ivan!

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    1. Haha. Stalking in the dark. I will have a separate post for the Malinta Tunnel with some good old Pinoy wicked humor to boot. :)

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  10. The place is perfect for those history-buffs. Love the second shot.

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  11. i'd like to do this tour :)

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