Roughly intact 12-inch mortars abound the island. With the help of our tour guide we learned how these artilleries constituted the defense system of World War II. Battery Way was an effective means of countering the Japanese artillery in Bataan, while Battery Hern, one of the last major additions to Corregidor's defense, was designed to frustrate naval threat from the China Sea. Battery Geary and Battery Crockett were considered the most effective anti-personnel weapons of the island. Both could fire in any direction, but Battery Crocket was mounted on disappearing carriages ---that's why it's called a disappearing battery. There are a total of six disappearing gun batteries in the island, one of which is the Battery Grubbs which is the best site for sunset viewing.
The Ruins and Shrines
On our way to the Pacific War Memorial, the main attraction on the Topside, we passed by the YMCA Building, Middleside Barracks, Senior Officers Quarters and the Topside or Milelong Barracks. Our tour guide said that these buildings were made of first class cement imported from Japan while the steel bars came from the US. Milelong, world's longest military barracks for having a length of 1,520 feet, is a three-deck hurricane proof building for American officers and served as McArthur's headquarters. The three-storey Middleside Barracks housed the 60th Coast Artillery Regiment and the 91st Philippine Scout Coast Artillery Regiment. These two buildings were among the first damaged when Japanese first attacked Corregidor.
Standing on the highest part of Corregidor is the Pacific War Memorial dedicated to the Filipino and American soldiers who fought for freedom. Forty-five minutes was given to us by our tour guide to explore the whole memorial complex. To the memorial's left side are the ruins of Cine Corregidor, the old movie theatre where its former lobby now houses the cars of two great players during that time, Pres. Manuel L. Quezon and Gen. Douglas McArthur. Opposite the Cine Corregidor are the ruins of the Bachelor Officer's Quarters, while behind is the museum that houses war artifacts. (Of all the things that interest me in the museum was the old Coca-Cola bottle that tickled my imagination on how soldiers took break-time on the battlefield!) Located at the back of the memorial complex is a wing-shaped steel sculpture designed by Aristedes Demetrios symbolizing the flame of freedom burning eternally.
Just a hop away the area is a reconstruction of the Old Spanish Lighthouse where we got an awesome view of Manila Bay, the South China Sea, the neighboring provinces of Bataan and Cavite, plus a bird's eye view of the island. The original lighthouse was built by the Spaniards in 1836 and was replaced by a bigger one in 1897 before being destroyed by the war. Beside the lighthouse is a memorabilia store where you can buy the best souvenirs from Corregidor after that wonderful experience being atop the highest point in the island. (What I brought home for you? Well, my stories!)
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