Revisiting Aguinaldo Shrine

As the Philippines National Shrine, the Aguinaldo Shrine is the ancestral house of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the president of the 1st Philippine Republic. This became the place where the proclamation of the Republic of the Philippines was made, where the independence of the Philippines from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898.

To commemorate the event, now known as Araw ng Kalayaan or Independence Day, a national holiday, the Philippine flag is raised here by top government officials on June 12th each year.

This grand mansion in Kawit Cavite is a unique reflection of a period in the country's history. It was Emilio Aguinaldo's birthplace and residence until his death at the age of 94.

It was first built in 1845 from wood and thatch. Its design, which features secret passages and hiding places for documents and weapons.

The Aguinaldo Shrine is adjacent to the Liwasang Aguinaldo park which was constructed in 1998 for the Philippine Centennial celebration.

A bronze figure of General Emilio Aguinaldo riding a horse proudly stands in front of the ancestral house.

His remains lie in a tomb found at the back of Aguinaldo Shrine.

On display outside the house is Aguinaldo's personal car, a 1924 Packard limousine restored in November 2009.

The ground floor of Aguinaldo Shrine was transformed into a museum shows exhibits of memorabilia of Emilio Aguinaldo. A hologram depicting Aguinaldo can be seen.

There is the two-lane Duckpin Bowling alley.

The second floor is crowded with fine antique furniture, photos and paintings of Emilio Aguinaldo and his family.

This is where the peaceful Aguinaldo's bedrooms, the grand hall, dining room, kitchen, a conference room and azotea.

The house is decorated throughout with motifs of flags and national symbols.

Revisiting to this National Shrine last January 3 is really a worth tour. We were invited by Melo Villareal of  Out of Town Blog and by Tourism movers of Kawit Cavite to showcase their Lights and Sound Show  to witness it and feel the Holiday spirit around the famous shrine.

I enjoyed the wonderful world of the National Shrine in Kawit Cavite - the grandious Aguinaldo Shrine  and having met Mr. Pao Aguinaldo Abaya, one of the great grand children of General Emilio Aguinaldo. He shared us some interesting and nostalgic stories of the old house and of patriotic Gen. Aguinaldo.

We have read history during our schooldays and I admire heroes who played in shaping our country. We must honor Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and his role in the history of our nation, for his efforts to organize the institutions that follow a revolution.  It was he who put together the formal elements of nationhood for the Philippines from writing a proclamation of independence to the making of a flag.

I really enjoyed the wonderful tour, in fact, this is my first travel for new year 2013. And specially, I been nostalgic, remembering  my visit here many years ago. The first was when I accompany my daughter during an educational trip with her classmates, schoolmates and teachers. And my second time was I am still a registrar in a community school, coordinated and assisted the exciting educational trip of little children.

This historical place is where a movie "EL PRESIDENTE : General Emilio Aguinaldo Story and the First Philippine Republic" shoot. This is one of 8 official entries to the 38^th Metro Manila Film.

These are some of videos of Aguinaldo Shrine Lights and Sounds Show during our visit last January 3.  Enjoy holidays everyone! 

The Aguinaldo Shrine museum on the ground floor is maintained by the National Historical Institute of the Philippines. The house and museum are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

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