More Corregidor Photos

Malinta Tunnel - It was the command post for Gen. MacArthur as Japan was bombing the island

Map of the tunnel

One of the many laterals

Corregidor Island

+Our day started a 7 am. It is a one hour boat to Corregidor Island . It was a wonderful step back into history of WWII.

Extract below courtesy of http://corregidorisland.com/

Corregidor is a small rocky island in the Philippines about 48 kilometers west of Manila which is stragetically located at the entrance of Manila Bay. This island fortress stands as a memorial for the courage, valor, and heroism of its Filipino and American defenders who bravely held their ground against the overwhelming number of invading Japanese forces during World War II.
Also known as "the Rock," it was a key bastion of the Allies during the war. When the Japanese invaded the Philippines in December 1941, the military force under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur carried out a delaying action at Bataan. Corregidor became the headquarters of the Allied forces and also the seat of the Philippine Commonwealth government. It was from Corregidor that Philippine President Manuel Quezon and General MacArthur left for Australia in February 1942, leaving behind Lt. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright in command.
Although Bataan fell on April 9, 1942, the Philippine and American forces held out at Corregidor for 27 days against great odds. On May 6, 1942, their rations depleted, the Allied forces were forced to surrender Corregidor to Lt. Gen. Homma Masaharu of the Japanese Imperial Army after having successfully halted the Japanese advance on Australia. It was only two years and ten months later in March 1945 when the Allied forces under the command of General MacArthur recaptured Corregidor ... making good his promise to return to the Philippines.
The big guns of Corregidor are now silent and the ruins of buildings, structures, and tunnels in the island tell a very moving story of a war that has claimed so many lives. A visit to this former battleground is a memorable experience especially for those who cherish and value peace and freedom. In his speech delivered at the signing of the surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri at Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, General Douglas MacArthur said, "It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past - a world founded upon faith and understanding, a world dedicated to the dignity of man and the fulfillment of his most cherished wish for freedom, tolerance and justice."

NCO (non-commissioned officers) barracks

Battery Way - one of many gun batteries on the island

Amy, Maria, Catalina and I in front of Battery Grubbs. Look closely at the battery barrel and you will see aircraft bullet marks.

On the topside of the island is an old movie house

Pacific War Memorial (Maria and her classmate Jennifer who was on the same tour with us)

View from the Lighthouse tower looking over to Bataan

Photo of the Main barracks on the island

Famous statue of Gen. MacArthur as he was forced to leave Corregidor before it fell to the Japanese. the plaque next to the statue has his quote "I shall return" which he did 3 yrs later to recapture the island from the Japenese

Pagsanjan Falls

Last weekend we took one of our first day trip outside the metro Manila area. We went Pagsanjan Falls. It is located about 75 km / 50 miles from our house or a 2 1/2 hr drive.

We are just starting up the river.

House along side the river

Great shot in the river gorge

Pagsanjan Falls (I am on the raft next to the guy in the green shirt)

Family at the Falls (after I got all wet, but it was a blast)

James going to the Falls. Maria was going to go but she got a little scared

Neighborhood Kids et. al.

1) Neighbor kids w/Nilda

2) Maria swimming

3) Wiener stuck in the fence

Walking the Dog...

Maria and Catalina walking Wiener (our dog) down our street.

Filipino Birthday Party

The 1st and 7th birthday in the Philippines are considered special. But, in general, Filipino's family party are a lot like Mexican families - big with lots of family. My boss had your son's first birthday party at own of the nice hotels downtown. They hired an MC / Magician. One of the games they played was - 'Bring me a....'. In this case, it was 'a Daddy'. Maria got me up to the front of the room. Ilaria (Mike Keogh's wife) got him up there with his son - Owen). And, of course, it is not Filipino party unless someone is singing. The good news is Mike and I are not in a dress - which is what usually happens when singing and Intel expats are involved (standard hazing process). (See photo at bottom of page from the recent Qtrly finance meeting)

Below Mike (directly to my left) and I, along with some family friends, sang Happy Birthday to Monty.

As I mentioned the birthday was at a local hotel. below is a photo of maria and caroline (the keogh's daughter). We are on the 42nd floor. You can see the Manila in the background.

Catalina at the party.

I almost forget what I looked it with hair. (standard new expat hazing). the CV bums are nothing like those in AZ.

Gangster Ball - Bang.... Bang.....

Amy and a number of the expat wives have joined - AILG (Alabang International Ladies Group). Last weekend, they host a Gangster Ball. The theme, of course, come dressed as your favorite 1920's gangster. Amy bought a nice dress, but she was not able to find any Al Capone-ish type clothes for me. They had a local band that played 80's cover tunes. I enjoyed the band but thought they played too much 80's Pop vs. 80's R&B. However, we did manage to close the place down at 1 am. That is a late night for us 'old' married folks. A fun time was had by all. Below are a number of photos from the night.

Maria as Snow White

Maria's school conducted a Fairytale parade and she got dressed up as Snow White. Below is a photo of Maria with our weekday all-around helper, Nilda. On the subject of 'helpers', maid / cook labor is very cheap so it is hard to pass up. Luckily Amy has warmed up to the idea. She has taken advantage of this opportunity because we could not afford this type of help in the US.

Day at the playground

There are several small parks in the village the largest one is next to the large Catholic church - St. James the Great. To the left is a photo of the virgin that is in the park.

Below is a Maria, Catalina and I on the 'swing'. Our weekend helper, Emily is next to Maria.

New Addiction - Starbucks

Most of you know about my Mtn Dew habit (at least 3 cans / day). Mtn Dew is available in the Philippines but it tastes like crap. I have not kicked the 'can of soda' breakfast habit. I substituted Mtn Dew for Coke or Coke Lite aka Diet Coke.

Neither Amy or I were coffee drinkers but we have developed a solid Carmel Frapaccino - (iced coffee) habit. Usually one per day. The only good is that it costs about $2.35 / 'tall' vs. ~ $3.50 in the US. We will need to kick the habit before we come back to the US. We will not be able to afford a $4 / day coffee habit.