A little bit of history....

Located at the mouth of Manila Bay, one of the finest natural harbors in the world, are five diminutive islands known collectively as Corregidor. The largest island, from which the group got its name, is a curious, tadpole-shaped land form that seems to stand guard in the narrow channel between the tip of the Bataan Peninsula and the roundish outer edge of the provinces of Cavite and Batangas.

Early during the Spanish period, the island was shrouded in obscurity, familiar only to fisherfolk who plied the waters of Manila Bay, and marauding seafarers who used the island as a staging ground for their less than honorable activities. Probably taking a cue from the strategic aspects of these transpirations, the Spaniards eventually developed it into a forward naval outpost-cum-checkpoint for incoming galleons; hence the name "Corregidor", or "corrector".

The other four islands are called Caballo (Horse), El Fraile (The Friar), La Monja (The Nun), and Carabao (Water Buffalo), their names stemming from the central characters in a colorful tale of two star-crossed lovers who were forbidden to marry by their respective families. An unsuccessful attempt to elope brought a premature end to this misadventure, and led to the fair damsel's perpetual reclusion in an obscure nunnery.

But this folk tale is not what made Corregidor into the symbol that it is today.

During World War II, Bataan and Corregidor captured the world's imagination as they upset the Japanese Empire's timetable of conquest.

It will be recalled that the Japanese war machine had run roughshod over much of Southeast Asia, but it was only in Bataan and Corregidor where it was forced to grind to a halt. There, in the mountain fastness of Bataan, and in the tiny island of Corregidor, defending USAFFE forces, although outnumbered and outgunned, engaged the invaders in a protracted battle. The Japanese High Command's self-imposed deadline of six weeks (to conquer the Philippines), stretched out to four, long months of bloody fighting.

After Bataan's fall on April 9, 1942, the situation deteriorated rapidly, and, by May 6, 1942, Corregidor had likewise fallen into the hands of the Japanese Imperial forces.

Three long years of Japanese occupation passed before U.S. and allied forces finally liberated the island.

Today, with her guns finally silent, Corregidor Island stands as a monument to the thousands who gave their lives in World II -- a shining symbol of valor for all freedom-loving people of the world