When one talks lengthily about Corregidor Island, the inevitable question crops up: "So, aside from seeing all those monuments and ruins, and seeing the Light and Sound show at the Malinta Tunnel, what else can you do in Corregidor?"
"Well," I say in a very pre-emptive manner, "The island is a different sort of tourist attraction. It doesn't have coral-pink sandy beaches, cushy accommodations, pulsating nightspots or entertainment places that many fancy tourist resorts boast of. But if you're looking for an unforgettable experience, then by all means, go to Corregidor."
"In fact," I add, "Personally, this is one reason I love going there. It's precisely to get away from the maddening, hectic pace of the big city. There are no noisy or smoky vehicles, no dust, no mendicants, taxi drivers, or jeepney operators pestering you with their open palms. No blaring loudspeakers, no sounds of jet engines. NO HEAVY TRAFFIC. And best of all, NO CRIME. Simply put, you go to Corregidor for an enjoyable, quiet respite from a surfeit of metropolitan living."
By then, the person I'm talking to starts to give me a perplexed look. "Okay," he says, "So it's a nice, quiet place, but you haven't answered my question. What can you do there?"
I look at him in the eye and say, "When you put a child in a sandbox with a small pail and shovel, do you need to tell him how to enjoy himself?"
These questions are normally asked by people who have not yet immersed themselves in the Corregidor experience. Those who have gone on the Day Tour will understand exactly what I'm trying to say. More so those who have stayed overnight, and gone hiking on one or more of the island's trails. The nice thing about trekking there is that one doesn't need special training or equipment. The island's geography makes it easy even for a non-hiker to enjoy moving around on foot. In fact, this is the best way to get a feel of the place. Imagine seeing everything up close! You can go through pre-war footpaths, explore bunkers, caves, air shafts, and other still-stable structures. Of course, it's advisable to be accompanied by guides who are familiar with these rarely-visited places.
Aside from being an excellent hiking destination, the place is also a biker's paradise. It's winding roads thread alternately through hills and flat areas, each place affording the adventurous rider a visual feast of verdant foliage and splendid seascapes.
Kite-flyers will rave about the constant sea breeze and the absence of electric posts and open power lines. Topside has wide, open areas that are perfect for this sport. Similarly, radio-controlled model aircraft aficionados will appreciate these terrain features.
Photographers will have a heyday with their cameras and equipment. There's nary an place where one cannot find a worthwhile shot to take. It's the classic interplay of sun, sea, and the sky, weaving their proverbial magic spell.
Nature buffs will be surprised to find that the island is not without wildlife. There are monkeys, bats, swiftlets, owls, hawks and many different species of birds that abound there.
On top of all these attractions, is the isolation aspect. I've always thought that Corregidor's lack of urban distractions is an inherent advantage. Groups that go there find out that there's more reason to stick together and bond precisely because there's "nothing" else to do. Because of this, many large corporations which held their Sales or Marketing Conventions there were surprised at the way the location added impact and long-term recall to their events.
Once regarded mainly as a side-trip for tourists are out on a short stay in Manila, Corregidor evemtually establishing itself as a "stand-alone" tourist destination. While it is true that the Philippines has its share of seaside resorts, scenic beaches, and cultural sites, so do many other countries around the world. But there is no other island like Corregidor, where history and nature combine with recreational possibilities to give you a truly unforgettable and unique adventure!