AGUINALDO SHRINE - KAWIT, CAVITE

As the saying goes “Its better late, than never” – It took me a decade, concreting of coastal into expressway, and the booming of Cavite population before I had the chance to literally spend a day in Kawit Cavite. Shocking in a sense that I’m a legitimate resident of Bacoor – a neighboring municipality of Kawit that is 9.00 php bus ride away.

Feeling Patriotic, I decided to visit Kawit’s famous landmark – the historic Aguinaldo Shrine, site of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence. According to historical marker installed (at the entrance gate of shrine) – On June 12, 1898, Philippine Independence was proclaimed from the center window (now converted into balcony) of the original house of the family of General Emilio Aguinaldo, President of the first Philippine Republic and leader of the revolution against Spain and America. Through the reading of The Acta De La Proclamacion De La Independencia Del Pueblo Filipino by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista, during this occasion, the Philippine flag made in Hong Kong by Dona Marcela Marino De Agoncillo was officially unfurled as the band of San Francisco De Malabon proudly played the March Nacional Filipina (now the Philippine National Anthem) Composed by Julian Felipe.

Window turned balcony where Philippine flag was first unfurled

The shrine is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 am – 4pm; I was advised that March – June is the perfect months to visit shrines with no visitors from school field trips. Entrance is free of charge but be generous enough to make donations (donation box located at souvenir shop). Visitors are required to register, and soon a guide will promptly assist you all the way. But first, some rules and regulations: (1) Picture-taking for personal use is welcome, for commercial purposes, please inform shrine personnel; (2) No pets allowed; (3) Food and drinks are strictly prohibited; (3) No Smoking Policy; (4) Restricted areas and glass casings are off limits.

According to our guide, Aguinaldo shrine is the biggest amongst other shrines, and that General Aguinaldo re-modeled his house from 1919 – 1920. The story of the Revolution is “written” in its architectural details and interior design. Before his death, he donated the estate to the Philippine government to perpetuate the spirit of the 1896 Revolution. As part of his last will, he wanted his remains be buried on his lot.

Some of the re-modeled architectural and interior designs: (1) The spacious reception hall has a three section ceiling, featured are the dove, the sun motif and mother Philippines – icons referring to the Filipino desire for an independent nation. (2) Formal Dining Room – on the ceiling is a relief map of the Philippines; Cavite was painted red because it was considered the center of the Revolution; above the window are paintings on glass portraying his wives and children. (3) The center window where Philippine Independence was proclaimed was converted into balcony.

Shrine has its preserved heavy wood; capiz windows; balusters and concrete that had served witness history in making. Ground floor enshrined collected memorabilia from plate number dated 1896; Rayadillo Uniform – blue and white rayadillo uniform used as official uniform of revolutionaries; canons that had mightily fought for our freedom; books that had tactically utilized by revolutionaries to outsmart their opponents; the bowling alley which is first in the Philippines; and images that documented story of history worth remembering.

The second floor is like General Aguinaldo welcomes us and opens books on personal note. The spacious and grandiose scene had made me conclude that Aguinaldo’s as wealthy family – Grand piano as center piece; Reception room – where journalist, politicians and important guests requiring a private audience with the General were led to this room (sometimes it was called the Music Room because the family radio was here; Formal Dining Room – Aguinaldo’s special guests dined on the massive table during important occasions and parties; Kitchen – also found the servant’s quarter on the mezzanine; with ice boxes built into the wall; The Balcony of Sinners – The General playfully named the balcony as such because it was where the Revolutionaries plotted military strategies; the balcony also served as the family’s lounge on lazy afternoons, and according to family stories, courtships leading to marriages began in balcony of sinners; Bedroom of the Aguinaldo Daughters – The rooms of Cristina Suntay, Maria Poblete and Carmen Melencio was in fashion in the early 20^th century with furnishings and accessories with mixture of European, Chinese and Filipino styles; A mezzanine library is where musicians played for the General’s grand parties, that overlooks the living room; Ambassador’s Room – Ambassador Jose P. Melencio, Carmen Aguinaldo’s husband, used it as study; Swimming pool – though it was not covered with tiles but white painted plain concrete, still they have swimming pool!; The uppermost bedroom belonged to the General (which happened to be restricted area).

The Shrine also raised intrigued and curiosity with those secret doors that led from one room to another such as the Dining Table - to make a quick escape, one must raised the dining room’s heavy table top revealing a passageway to the underground shelter; One wall panel of the music room is a hidden door leading to the upper floor of the house.

Exiting is view of marble stone with engraving “Emilio Aguinaldo 1869 – 1964” with eight (8) Philippine flags proudly waving; this tells me that my tour had ended but my freedom and independence as a Filipino lives forever and I owe it to hero – General Emilio Aguinaldo and the Revolutionaries.

As mandated by Republic Act 8491, The Flag and Heralding Code of the Philippines, the Philippine flag shall be permanently hoisted on this site 24/7 throughout the year and shall be illuminated at night.