I
can’t really remember when was the last time I visited Aguinaldo Shrine located
at Kawit, Cavite. But, one thing is clear to my memory is that Aguinaldo did a
very big part on Philippine history. Well, because of him, we, Filipinos, are
now able to experience freedom; he bravely fought together with other heroes
for our independence towards Spaniards colony which was declared on June 12,
1988. To honor this event, which is
known as Araw ng Kalayaan (Independence Day), a national holiday, the Philippine
flag is raised here by the Top Government Officials on every 12th
day of June.
To
start the year with a bang, I, together with fellow bloggers visited Aguinaldo
Shrine to see its new look in line with the Holidays season, the shrine was
decorated with dancing and colorful twinkling lights with music collaboration
which was dubbed as “Lights & Sounds Show” which I already posted on my
lifestyle blog – The Daily Posh. ^_^
Meanwhile,
the shrine is the ancestral home, now a museum, of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the
first President of the Republic of Philippines. It was built in 1845 made from
wood and thatch but re constructed in 1849. During the visit, we were also had
a chance to toured inside the house and were enlightened about Aguinaldo’s
childhood and some hidden stories were revealed. And oh, entrance fee is FREE
and Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00AM - 4:00PM. So, if you wanna know
something about Philippine History, Aguinaldo Shrine is just an hour drive from
Metro Manila through Cavitex.
Aguinaldo’s
house is a mansion designed by Aguinaldo himself. It features secret passages
and hiding places for document and weapons, filled with antique furniture and
decorated throughout with motifs of the Philippines flag and other national
symbols that you need to examine for you to notice those designs. The mansion
is divided into three parts - the main house on the west side of the building,
the family wing on the east and the 5 - Storey tower with a spire at the top
which is located at the middle of the house.
The
ground floor of the house was previously had no wall is now houses a museum of
Aguinaldo’s memorabilia and other historical artifacts. On this floor, you
would also see the secret passage going to the church which is no longer
accessible.
Aguinaldo's Office
These items are also available at the souvenir's shop which is also located on this floor. Some of the souvenirs are made of coconut shell and husk like below.
Philippine National Anthem - Lupang Hinirang (Its music was composed in 1898 by Julian Felipe, with lyrics in Spanish. Adapted from the poem Filipinas, written by Jose Palma in 1899.)
Located on the second floor is the grand hall, a large meeting room where from its historic front window, the Declaration of Independence was read and Philippine Flag was raised to proclaimed Independence Day! Dining room with map of the Philippines on its ceiling, Aguinaldo's Bedroom, the kitchen with century old GE Refrigerator are located on the western side of the mansion.
View from the historic balcony - the Freedom Park
On the east wing, the bedrooms of Aguinaldo's daughters and the covered balcony at the end of the wing which is called as Galeria de los Pecadores (Hall of Sinners) as military plots against the Spanish were planned there. Aside from that, this was also the place where Aguinaldo's daughters' suitors were being entertained.
The Aguinaldo Shrine museum is maintained by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines.
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