Malinta Tunnel
‘Malinta’ is derived from the word ‘leech’ because during the old times, Malinta Hills, is full of leeches or ‘linta’ in tagalog, hence, Ma-linta.
As explained by the Resident Manager who was also our Tour Guide during our Corregidor escapade, the Malinta Tunnel was built by the American soldiers for storage and bunker but was later equipped with 1,000 hospital beds when Corregidor’s Hospital was destroyed by the Japanese bombings in the 1940’s.
It was also said that there were 2,000 Japanese soldiers who committed suicide inside when the US began bombing the tunnel resulting in the blockage of the entrance in 1945.
THE EXPERIENCE
Back in my highschools days, we have heard and read stories about the infamous Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor.
We know the place has a very tragic past.
But when you are actually in the area and you hear stories straight from your Tour Guide (Sir Ed) who has been in Corregidor for the past 23 years, you will really get to appreciate the history and the Filipino people who fought for Corregidor.
Going back.. It was around 10:30 in the morning when we arrived at the entrance of Malinta Tunnel.
And I can still remember the loud pound of my heart. Haha! This is during our day tour, by the way. Wait for our night lateral tour!
MALINTA TUNNEL LIGHTS AND SOUNDS
I actually didn’t expect anything from this Light and Sounds Show because all I know is that we will enter that tunnel and there are lots of past that happened there and that is enough for me.
I was really scared just the thought of it but I know I need to go inside.
And that is when I started to love Corregidor.
Malinta Lights and Sounds Show was actually not scary for me but rather emotional. At the end of the show, after it was announced to all the Corregidor has fallen, a Philippine flag was raised and focused at the end of the tunnel and Lupang Hinirang was played.
It was the very first time I got to be so emotional while singing the National Anthem. Every single word in the Lupang Hinirang was just so alive and I was so proud that I am a Filipino. That my forefathers did their very best and stayed on the island to fight for Corregidor and for the Philippines.
Knowing what happened in every lateral brought so much pride for our forefathers.
NIGHT LATERAL TOUR
Imagine yourself inside the Malinta Tunnel — at night.
Dark. Cold. Eerie.
It was around 6:00 in the evening we get into our tram for our night lateral tour. Until now, when I hear crickets at night, I still remember that long ride to the tunnel. Everything was just so slow for me. It felt like forever before we arrive at the tunnel. One thing I noticed as well was the wind was not cold. Maybe because we are surrounded by water? I don’t know.
Also, because I know deep in me that I have the ability to ‘feel’ something, I honestly want to back out at that moment. Like I was thinking, I left this years ago and I don’t wanna experience this anymore.
But, I know I have to go on and conquer my fear.
The night lateral tour started when they handed us our flashlights and hard hats. We started at the very first lateral to our left. I made sure I was near Sir Ed, our tour guide, because if I see him, I know I am at the right track! Haha! You know, the lateral has other laterals inside as well! Imagine if someone will grab you there! I actually don’t wanna look anywhere but just straight forward.
NIGHT LATERAL TOUR
Imagine yourself inside the Malinta Tunnel — at night.
Dark. Cold. Eerie.
It was around 6:00 in the evening we get into our tram for our night lateral tour. Until now, when I hear crickets at night, I still remember that long ride to the tunnel. Everything was just so slow for me. It felt like forever before we arrive at the tunnel. One thing I noticed as well was the wind was not cold. Maybe because we are surrounded by water? I don’t know.
Also, because I know deep in me that I have the ability to ‘feel’ something, I honestly want to back out at that moment. Like I was thinking, I left this years ago and I don’t wanna experience this anymore.
But, I know I have to go on and conquer my fear.
The night lateral tour started when they handed us our flashlights and hard hats. We started at the very first lateral to our left. I made sure I was near Sir Ed, our tour guide, because if I see him, I know I am at the right track! Haha! You know, the lateral has other laterals inside as well! Imagine if someone will grab you there! I actually don’t wanna look anywhere but just straight forward.
The night tour got more intense when we stopped and we’re asked to turn off our flashlights and not to talk.
I got scared of course. But there is peace. I know what I felt was peace even though I was holding my Mommy Lariza (our Mother in the blogging industry hehe) so hard. Haha!
Another highlight was when we were asked to stand in the entrance of a lateral and to turn off our flashlights, and walk until the end of the lateral. I was really holding to anyone in the group. Haha!
But the best for me was when we get to explore the 1000 hospital bed lateral. We were able to see the creepiest part (for me) of the tunnel.
Posting more photos soon! It was near 12 in the midnight now and I can’t stand to see the photos! Haha! Will update this with lots of photos and videos. Promise!
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
This is definitely the highlight of our tour! I was actually expecting that I will be ‘feeling’ something but honestly, I didn’t feel anyone was looking at me or even peeping in one of the laterals. Haha!
Glad to have spent the night at the Malinta Tunnel with my co-bloggers/media. It was a fun and learning experience for me. Definitely one for the books that I will never forget. I was even telling my co-bloggers after the night lateral tour that this is now the most memorable gala than any of my travels because I was in touch with a very rich history and was able to understand what has happened in the past.
