Jardine and NHCP together in preserving our culture and heritage with Solignum

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The historical Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite is one of the first projects that was successfully preserved by JDI and NCHP's partnership. (Photo cedits: www.pinoyadventurista.com)

Historic sites help define a country’s identity, allowing us a peek at all the triumphs and challenges that have made it a nation. However, through the years, many heritage sites suffer from damages wrought by modernization, natural calamities, and even by pests like termites and woodborers.

In their desire to contribute to the preservation of such historical markers, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and Jardine Distribution, Inc (JDI). continue its efforts in preserving historical sites

“We are happy that we are able to continue this meaningful partnership with NHCP. Solignum is all about preserving what we have so future generations can enjoy it or learn from it,” says Peachy Tiu, JDI Marketing Manager “Preserving our historical landmarks is our own contribution to nation building and our way of showing gratitude to the Filipino people for trusting Solignum all these past decades.”

JDI helps in preserving our cultural heritage by donating and applying Solignum wood preservatives to the structures to protect these from further deterioration.

 Jardine and NCHP plan to restore and preserve more historical sites like what they accomplished with the Museo ni Apolinario Mabini located at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa. (Photo credits: commons.wikimedia.org)

Working diligently and effectively for more than a century now, Solignum has mastered the science of total termite solution—from timber protection to soil treatment and decorative products.

Among the projects that are successfully preserved and restored by the partnership includes the historical Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite and Museo ni Apolinario Mabini located at Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa. 

As Solignum maintains its position as the most trusted wood preservative in the market, and after decades of strong performance, JDI only hopes that its preservation efforts will help future generations appreciate the country’s vibrant history. 

After all, Jardine believes that lessons from our past make us stronger and better people who are capable of making this country a better one.

For more information about Solignum wood preservative products, go to www.jardinedistribution.com.

Seven heritage places in the Philippines worth visiting

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Vigan Ilocos Sur - Calle Crisologo

It's more fun in the Philippines! Explore the diverse culture of the Philippines as MyProperty.ph lists some of the most popular heritage towns and cities in the country.

If you attended a Filipino school as a kid, chances are you know that whenever August rolled around, it was time to polish your skills in declamation, singing, or slogan making in celebration of the Buwan ng Wika . As a nationalistic event, it aims to celebrate the Filipino language while also embracing our linguistic diversity.

This month is also an apt time to visit some of the country’s towns and cities that helped shape our history and heritage. You can make a holiday out of your visit to any of these sites, as many of them are located in distant provinces, although some of them are close enough to Metro Manila for a day tour.

Kawit Cavite - Aguinaldo Shrine by Antonio V. Oquias

Kawit

Province: Cavite

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Chavacano

Considered as Cavite’s oldest municipality, Kawit was founded in 1587 for the Spanish Crown and referred to by the Spaniards as “Cavite El Viejo.” Its most famous spot is the Aguinaldo Shrine, the ancestral home of General Emilio Aguinaldo and the site where the Philippine independence from Spanish rule was declared. It is also home to St. Mary Magdalene Church, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines; as well as the Battle of Binakayan Monument, which commemorates a struggle between Spanish and Filipino soldiers in 1896.

Malolos

Province: Bulacan

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Kapampangan

Malolos is recognized as the Premiere Heritage City of Bulacan for its ancestral houses, Spanish colonial churches and chapels, and historical landmarks. The Barasoain Church, for one, is the site of the First Philippine Congress in 1898. Also worth visiting is the neoclassic Bautista-Uytangcoy Mansion, known as home of Aguinaldo’s interior secretary Don Antonio Bautista, but is more recognizable as the site where Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar spoke with the 21 women of Malolos in 1892.

Pila

Province: Laguna

Spoken language: Tagalog

Pila, specifically the Pila Historic Town Center, was declared a National Historical Landmark for being an early pre-Hispanic center of culture and trade, owing to the discovery of clay potteries during excavations in Pinagbayanan in 1967. Some of the Spanish- and American-era architecture found in the locale are the 19th-century Baroque church Diocesan Shrine, and the Parish Church of San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1578 and regarded as the country’s first Antonine parish.

Taal

Province: Batangas

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Spanish

Most famous for its namesake lake and for balisong (fan knife) and barong (local garb) making, Taal has been labeled a National Historical Landmark because of its well-restored ancestral houses. One such property is the Agoncillo-Mariño House, considered a national shrine by the National Historical Institute where the national flag was first made by Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo. Other historical landmarks include the Old Taal Church ruins, where the original Church of St. Martin de Tours was built in 1575; and Escuela Pia, built in 1885 and considered the central school during the American regime.

Vigan

Province: Ilocos Sur

Spoken languages: Ilocano, Pangasinan, Tagalog

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and recently named as one of the New7Wonders Cities, Vigan is one of the few Hispanic towns in the country where visitors can appreciate intact buildings that display a fusion of Filipino, Oriental, and European aesthetic. Its most famous attraction is Calle Crisologo, a cobblestone street flanked by Spanish-era homes and traversed by horse-drawn carriages or calesas. Other points of interest include the earthquake Baroque-style Vigan Cathedral, the history of which can be traced back to 1574; and the Archbishop’s Residence, which was built in the 16th century.

Silay Negros Occidental - Balay Negrense

Silay

Province: Negros Occidental

Spoken languages: Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Tagalog

Silay is often referred to as the Paris of Negros and considered by the Department of Tourism as Western Visayas’ seat of arts, culture, and ecotourism. The city is known for its artists and numerous cultural shows, but its most prized attractions are its well-preserved heritage houses, which were built during the heyday of the Philippine sugar industry. Some of the more famous homes are Balay Negrense, a late-19th-century home that has been transformed into a museum; and Hofileña Ancestral House, which was constructed in 1934 by Manuel Severino Hofileña and continues to be occupied by one of his heirs.

Dapitan

Province: Zamboanga Del Norte

Spoken languages: Cebuano, Subanen, Zamboangueño, Chavacano, Tagalog

Known as the “Shrine City in the Philippines,” Dapitan’s popularity lies in its historical significance as the place of exile of Rizal. In fact, its most famous sites are ones related to Rizal, such as Liwasan ng Dapitan, which the national hero helped designed; Punto del Desembarco de Rizal, where he disembarked from the steamer “Cebu” in 1565; and Rizal Park and Shrine, where he lived from 1893 to 1896.

Source : MyProperty.ph,  a leading Philippine real estate online and print brand that brings property buyers and sellers together. The website’s main offerings are listings of pre-selling properties and properties for sale and for rent. Both website and magazine also provide relevant and updated industry news and information for its clients and consumers.

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#FilipinoShines : Aguinaldo Shrine comes to life for Independence Day

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Remembering the valiant efforts of our heroes who have fought for this hard-won freedom, the Independence  Day celebrates the value all the freedoms that guarantee our way of life.

Last June 11, one of the best show I've seen this year was the lighting and video mapping show of the Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit, Cavite. 

As part of the 117th Philippine Independence celebration, the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Local Government of Kawit, Cavite have partnered for the monumental lighting and video mapping show of the iconic Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, in order to raise the standard of monument lighting and presentation of buildings.

The 18th century national monument will be seen in a completely new light, through an audio-visual staging that makes use of video mapping technology. Also known as “projection mapping” or “spatial augmented reality,” video mapping uses digitally-produced images based on the architectural lines of a structure to tell a story, create an impression, and bring any structure to life.

The public viewing of the lighting and video mapping show begins on June 11 and will be on a special limited run until June 15. The shows are scheduled to take place every 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:30 PM. In between the video mapping show, guests can also view the permanent lighting with sounds of the historical structure.

“The lighting and video mapping show of the Aguinaldo Shrine is the first time that it will be displayed on a national heritage site in our country. A state-of-the-art, avant-garde show of our history, it will tell the story of who we are as a people in a single, fluid, audio-visual narrative,” DOT Region IV-A Director Rebecca V. Labit.

On June 15, a formal ceremony will be held as the final public viewing and last day of this Independence Day feature, and will be attended by government officials, tourism stakeholders, members of the academe, members of the diplomatic corps, historians and heritage experts, media representatives, and influential personalities.

“More than a hundred years ago, the Aguinaldo Shrine was a witness to one of the most crucial junctures in Philippine history—the declaration of a free Filipino nation. Being an important edifice of our national identity, it is a living reminder of the freedom that our ancestors have fought and longed for, and the monument of the successes that our country has achieved since then. It is our honor to lead this Independence Day celebration using a new technology such as video mapping to relive and re-imagine the beginning of our country’s independence,” DOT Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.

The 14,000-square foot heritage mansion was the ancestral residence of the Aguinaldos and the birthplace of Emilio, who later became General and the first Philippine President. The residence was declared a National Heritage Shrine shortly after the death of Emilio Aguinaldo in 1964.

Constructed in 1845 from wood and thatch materials, the Aguinaldo Shrine has seen various reconstructions in 1849 and during the early 1920s. Its most historic spot, known as the “Independence Balcony,” saw the end of the three hundred-year Spanish colonial rule in the Philippines and the birth of the First Philippine Republic.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the country’s heritage structures and destinations, with more tourists including historical churches, ancestral houses, shrines, and monuments in their travel itineraries. Through this Independence Day initiative, the DOT aims to further enhance the touristic experience and make the country’s heritage destinations more fun for both foreign and domestic tourists.

“Through this project, our foreign and domestic tourists will have a deeper understanding for the many heritage destinations around the country. It is our hope to encourage the private sector and other stakeholders to work together in conserving both our tangible and intangible cultural heritage for the next generation of Filipinos to see and appreciate. Our achievements today are rooted and founded on our past. And our history and national heritage are integral to the continuity of our national identity,” Secretary Jimenez added.

The lighting and video mapping of the Aguinaldo Shrine is a project of the DOT through the initiative of the LGU of Kawit, Cavite and implemented by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and OptimumShow Philippines, Inc. The project is also supported by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP).

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Revisiting Aguinaldo Shrine

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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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