Cavite: Malinta Tunnel (Day Tour)

Located in the island of Corregidor in the province of Cavite, Malinta Tunnel is a tunnel that became popular during the Second World War because it housed several important people in Philippine history like President Manuel L. Quezon, future president Sergio Osmenia, and General Douglas MacArthur.
Malinta Tunnel

 Construction of Malinta Tunnel started in 1922. The tunnel was finished 10 years later in 1932. It was said that the tunnel was constructed using mostly the manpower of Filipino inmates. It was also said that it was them who named the tunnel after the Tagalog word malinta which means leech infested because of the huge population of the said bloodsuckers in the area.
Tunnel map
Tourists crowd the entrance of the tunnel

When the tunnel was completed it had a measure of 835 feet length for the East-West passage. It has a height of 18 feet and a width of 24 feet. The tunnel has 13 laterals on its north side and another 11 laterals on its south side. Each lateral has an average length of 160 feet and 15 feet in width. Blowers and air vents were installed to allow the circulation of fresh air. The tunnel was once fitted with a double-track electric trolley line to make the transportation of material and personnel a lot easier.
One of the tunnels

Although it wasn't designed to house people, During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, Malinta Tunnel served as a seat of the Philippine Commonwealth Government under President Manuel L. Quezon. The tunnel also served as the headquarters of the United States Armed Forces in the Far East of USAFFE under Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Later on when the worse came to worst, the staff of hospital in the island had to be evacuated in the tunnel together with the hundreds of sick and dying soldiers. 



 Today, tourists can experience the dramatic events during the war. A beautifully staged Light and Sound Show called the "Malinta Experience" could be availed as an optional part of the day tour (of course you have to pay extra). the show was scripted by the National Artist Lamberto Avellana while the sculptures were made by the National Artist Napoleon Abueva.

 Scenes from inside the tunnel:




I'm joining the flock

If you REALLY want to experience what the soldiers experienced during the war, I suggest that you avail the Night Lateral Tour which is not included in the day tour.(Check that out in my next blog!)



 Getting there:
Unless you hire a yacht (which is very expensive) or go to Bataan and rent a fishing boat to bring you to the island (which is tiring if you're from Manila), there is no other way to get to the island but through Sun Cruises.

Sun Cruises dominated, or let me say captured the tourism market for Corregidor. The good thing about it is that they have daily trips to the island.


Esplanade Seaside Terminal Esplanade Seaside Park (Seaside Blvd., MOA Complex), Pasay, Pasay City, Philippines.
Tel. (632) 354-7005, (632) 6289751 and (632) 6289752 Mobile (63)998 968-3256, (63)998 968-3056 

Ratings:
Crowd
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Overall rating

Location: Corregidor, Cavite City, Philippines

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