After coming down for the weekend and experiencing the thrill of water play areas at Island Cove's Oceania Swim and Splash Park, a good place to end the day and have some history lessons is the Aguinaldo Shrine.
Located in Kawit, Cavite, approximately 3 kilometers from Island Cove, the shrine was the venue of the historic declaration of the Philippines' independence from Spain. It was the ancestral home of the country's first president, Emilio Aguinaldo. Built in 1845, the house was originally made from wood and thatch. It was renovated and enlarged several times transforming it to the Hispanic and American colonial mansion that is seen at the present. The house was declared a national shrine by the government after Aguinaldo's death in 1964.
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| The iconic and historical Aguinaldo Shrine |
Most Filipinos would have seen the house in the iconic photo that marked the country's independence in 1898. But here are other photos that will make you want to head off to the Aguinaldo Shrine and find out what else is there to know about this historic place.
Museo ni Aguinaldo
The ground level of the mansion houses the Museo ni Aguinaldo. It is a permanent exhibit showcasing the role of Cavite during the Philippine Revolution. It has four galleries presenting Aguinaldo's life, the Revolution and the Declaration of Independence, the First Republic, and the Filipino-American War.
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| Museum entrance |
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| Dambana ni Heneral Aguinaldo |
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Chronology of Aguinaldo's early years
up to his joining the Katipunan |
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| The Spirit of the Katipunan |
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The first phase of the revolution was the
discovery of the Katipunan by the Spaniards |
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Display map marking the important
events leading to the revolution |
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| Photos of notable battles in Cavite |
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Diorama of the Battle of Binakayan
where Gen. Tirona died in battle |
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Diorama of the oath taking of the
officials of the revolutionary government |
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| The Battle of Zapote in painting |
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Interactive displays on the Republic of
Biak na Bato and the Battle of Manila Bay |
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| Bomb shelter inside Aguinaldo's mansion |
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Lantern slides used to show photos of the
Filipino-American War in St. Louis |
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Personal stuff of Gen. Aguinaldo such as
his shoe collection |
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| Porcelain plates, food container, and utensils |
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Masonic apron, presidential sash, epaulets,
salakot and Rayadillo uniform |
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Presidential car plate, chess set and
ceremonial key |
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| Original relics and effects of the president |
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| Aguinaldo bust |
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A bowling alley inside the mansion, reflecting
a luxurious lifestyle for the Aguinaldo family |
Aguinaldo Mansion
The second floor was the original living space of the Aguinaldos. The grand living room, dining hall, kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms are located in this level. This level houses antique furniture made of Philippine hardwood and architectural details of nationalistic themes and 19th/20th century artistic style.
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| Stairs typical of the Bahay na Bato |
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The rooms of Cristina, Marla,
and Carmen Aguinaldo |
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| The daughters' rooms form the Family Wing |
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| Hardwood furnishings |
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Furnishings and accessories were a mixture
of European, Chinese, and Filipino styles |
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| The Ah Tay Bed in Carmen's room |
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| Family portrait |
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| A section label describing the room of Aguinaldo |
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The bedroom of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo
and his second wife Maria Agoncillo |
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| The four-poster bed of Aguinaldo |
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Filipiniana of Maria Agoncillo and
the closet with a secret exit at the back |
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The small reception room where private
audiences with the general are held |
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| A section label describing the House of Independence |
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| The spacious reception hall |
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The story of the revolution is said to be written
in the architectural and interior details |
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| Philippine hardwood furnitures |
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| The sun motif in the 3-section ceiling |
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| The formal dining room |
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| China cabinet |
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The family dining room; the heavy table top
reveals a passageway to an underground shelter |
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| The "Balcony of Sinners" |
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| Windows made of Capiz shells |
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| A built in medicine cabinet |
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The Veteran's Hall with portraits of the veterans
of the revolution |
The Grounds
The grounds of the house is surrounded by a garden with lots of greenery and trees. In the middle of the garden is the marble tomb of Gen. Aguinaldo. Previously on display here was the general's 1924 Packard limousine, which is no longer there. There is also a souvenir shop within the grounds of the mansion.
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| The view of the mansion from the grounds |
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| Benches within the garden |
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| Gazeebos |
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| Greenery all over |
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| The souvenir shop within the grounds |
Freedom Park
Across the mansion is the Aguinaldo Freedom Park. This was once a busy street but was converted into a park for the Philippine Centennial celebration in 1998. In the middle of the park stands a bronze statue of Aguinaldo on top of a marble base with the inscription of the poem "Sa Mga Cababayan".
The park now serves as the town's venue for public gatherings, concerts, fitness sessions, evening light show, and the Las Tiendas food bazaar.
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| The Aguinaldo Freedom Park fronting the shrine |
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| The bronze statue of Aguinaldo |
Trivia
The balcony of the mansion was not the actual site of the declaration of independence and waving of the Philippine flag. The balcony was only added in 1919 during the extensive renovation of the mansion.
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| The famous balcony of the mansion |
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| Side view of the balcony |
The Aguinaldo Shrine was donated to the Filipino people in 1963, a year before Aguinaldo passed away. It was turned over to the National Museum and later the National Historical Commission for care and maintenance. Currently, the shrine is open to the public for free and serves its purpose as a constant reminder of our forefathers' vision of a free and independent nation.
It is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information about the shrine, visit NHCP's website here or contact +63 46 484 7643 or +63 917 656 4132.
More Cavite blog entries below:
Making Splash at Island Cove's Oceania Swim and Splash Park for only PHP130
Food Trip: Cavite
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