Commemorating 'Araw ng Kasarinlan'
Today, we celebrate the 119th Independence Day - an important national holiday observed here in the Philippines. On this same day, more than a century ago, marked the day when the Philippine National Flag was first flown and the Philippine National Anthem was first played as instrumental music, signifying the Philippine Declaration of Independence from then colonizer, Spain. This historic event took place in Aguinaldo Shrine.
Aguinaldo Shrine is located in Kawit, Cavite and the site where the national independence was proclaimed as well as the national flag was unfurled. The exact place was at the window of the grand hall which is now called the "independence balcony".
Aguinaldo Shrine was originally owned by the family of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first and only president of Philippine Republic, before it was donated to Philippine government on June 12, 1963 "to perpetuate the spirit of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 that put an end to Spanish colonization of the country". The mansion has an architectural design of American Colonial which is over 14,000 square feet in floor area.
The ground floor used to be unwalled, which is typical of houses then. Now, it is converted into a museum which houses some of Aguinaldo's memorabilia and other historic artifacts related to Aguinaldo.
The second floor is divided into three parts: the family wing on the east, the main house on the west and the tower located in between. (Unfortunately, we weren't able to access the tower when we went there.)
Aside from the bedrooms of Aguinaldo's family on the east wing featuring well preserved antiques and filipiana dresses, its end leads to the "Balcony of Sinners", where the revolutionaries plotted military strategies.
The Shrine is also known to feature secret passages and hiding places for documents and weapons. One secret passage is the tunnel found at the museum which leads to Saint Mary Magdalene Church.
Finally, at the back of the mansion lies the marble tomb of the first Philippine president.
(NOTE: These were taken two years ago, June 12, 2015)
Aguinaldo Shrine is located in Kawit, Cavite and the site where the national independence was proclaimed as well as the national flag was unfurled. The exact place was at the window of the grand hall which is now called the "independence balcony".
Aguinaldo Shrine was originally owned by the family of Emilio Aguinaldo, the first and only president of Philippine Republic, before it was donated to Philippine government on June 12, 1963 "to perpetuate the spirit of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 that put an end to Spanish colonization of the country". The mansion has an architectural design of American Colonial which is over 14,000 square feet in floor area.
The ground floor used to be unwalled, which is typical of houses then. Now, it is converted into a museum which houses some of Aguinaldo's memorabilia and other historic artifacts related to Aguinaldo.
The second floor is divided into three parts: the family wing on the east, the main house on the west and the tower located in between. (Unfortunately, we weren't able to access the tower when we went there.)
Aside from the bedrooms of Aguinaldo's family on the east wing featuring well preserved antiques and filipiana dresses, its end leads to the "Balcony of Sinners", where the revolutionaries plotted military strategies.
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| Balcony of Sinners |
Aguinaldo Shrine is filled with motifs of the Philippine flag and other national symbols. Among these are the noticeable ceiling decorations at the west wing of the second floor.
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| eight-rayed "Inang Bayan" |
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| the Philippine Archipelago |
The Shrine is also known to feature secret passages and hiding places for documents and weapons. One secret passage is the tunnel found at the museum which leads to Saint Mary Magdalene Church.
Finally, at the back of the mansion lies the marble tomb of the first Philippine president.
(NOTE: These were taken two years ago, June 12, 2015)
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