THE LIGHT AND SOUND SHOW IN THE MALINTA TUNNEL IS TERMINATED NOW
I heard it was closed and on the 26th of June, visiting the CFI Office in Manila, I was told, that the show was a very bad deal for CFI. They showed me figures that the proprietor made so much money in a year from the gross take; and in view that all the poops were CFI property, they said it was a bad deal.
Zc254. This is a 2008 image of the Malinta Tunnel east entrance, this is where the Corregidor visitors entered and started the Light and Sound Show.
My understanding is that at least in this year the Malinta Hill Light and Sound Show was operated by the Prime Square Enterprises (PSE). But I don’t know whether they are the original operators or took over sometime in the past. This is the same organization that operates the Jeepneys and the large outrigger boats on or to Corregidor.
Zc255. This sign at the Malinta Hill Tunnel east entrance is a 2008 image and is not posted anymore; it got removed several years ago, I believe. This sign does not say anything about PSE was PSE always the operator or just took over in later years?
But the Malinta Hill Light and Sound Show is now closed after the change of management of CFI this year.
Zc256. This is the Malinta Hill Tunnel Graph; it is posted outside the tunnel entrance. There is sooooo much to see!!!!!!!!
Zc257. This sign with the Malinta Tunnel History is also posted outside the tunnel entrance. There is so much history in the Malinta Hill Tunnel that the Corregidor visitors now miss.
Two questions come to my mind:
-Why close the Malinta Hill Light and Sound Show before one has a replacement or alternate plan?
-Can’t the visitors not walked or driven thru the tunnel without the Light and Sound Show, they miss so much important history?
Zc258. Here is one historic picture. The Philippine Government and the U. S. Armed Forces of the Far East HQ evacuated Manila and retreated to Corregidor. The Malinta Tunnel became the seat of the Philippine Government. This is President Quezon with family and Mrs. MacArthur. He was sworn in here for his 2nd term as President.
They declared Manila an Open City and spared it from further destruction but how did the Japanese Aggressors returned the favor in 1945?
Zc259. Generals MacArthur and Sutherland are in the Malinta Tunnel 1942 and weighing their decisions how to defend the Philippines and stand up against the Japanese aggressor.
Zc260. We are looking down at the Malinta Hill East Entrance from above; here the Corregidor visitors arrived and started the Malinta Tunnel Light and Sound Show. The ticket price was 200 peso in later years. But now the Corregidor visitors are unable to learn about the Malinta Hill Tunnel History until further notice. This was a 2009 image.
Zc261. This is how the lighted Malinta Hill Tunnel looks like before the Malinta Tunnel Light and Sound Show starts. This is 2009 image.
I encourage you to click on the thread and look at the whole thread about the show in this forum. I have been often asked is it worthwhile to buy a ticket for the show. I said: certainly, even though this is not the real thing, it does give a small feel or idea how it might have been in the Malinta Tunnel during the war, in any case it might refresh your historic knowledge!
I have done it several times to accompany visitors that I brought to Corregidor.
c262. The Malinta Hill Tunnel has many side tunnels, one of the first one was reserved for the President of the Philippines and his family and staff. Some of the side tunnels have these figures and props to tell a story of history.
Other entrances to the side tunnels are equipped with a video screens to show a historic video clip for the Malinta Hill Tunnel Light and Sound Show. BUT IS NOT AVAILABLE ANYMORE SINCE THIS YEAR 2018! This is 2009 image.
Zc263. This side tunnel of the Manila Hill Tunnel shows a sample hospital ward tunnel. This is not the side tunnel one uses to reach the actual 1000 bed hospital. This is a 2009 image.
During the siege, maybe as many as a 1000 wounded and sick patients were taking care of here. Can you imagining the misery and stress of the patients, the doctors, the nurses and all the staff? Could have Corregidor held out as long if the hospital did not exists?
But right now the day visitors do not get to see it. I assume that if you are a Corregidor Inn over night visitor you are still being offered a walking tour thru the tunnel.
Zc264. Another of the side tunnel near the east entrants houses the Manila and Subic Bay Harbor Defense Command. General George Moore had his Head Quarter here during the siege. This is a 2009 image.
The Commander of the 4th Marines perhaps also operated out of this tunnel during the last days of the siege before General Wainwright surrendered all the harbor forts and a few days later was forced to surrender all of the Philippines.
SO MUCH HISTORY, WHEN WILL THE CORREGIDOR VISITORS SEE THEM AGAIN?