Top 10 Interesting Facts About Aguinaldo Shrine

Aguinaldo Shrine (Kawit, Cavite; 09-19-2021).jpg Photo by patrickroque01 – Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Interesting Facts About Aguinaldo Shrine

Aguinaldo shrine also known as Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine is a national shrine that is located in Kawit, Cavite in the Philippines. This is the place where the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898.

The national flag is raised there by top government officials on June 12 each year for Independence Day or a national holiday.

The shrine is owned by the Government of the Philipines and the lead architect is Emilio Aguinaldo.

The shrine was the ancestral home of Emilio Aguinaldo, he was the first official president of the Philippines. He was the only first Philippine Republic.

The house was built in 1845 made from wood and thatch and reconstructed in 1849. Aguinaldo was born in the house on March 22, 1869.

1. Independence Day

Aguinaldo Shrine 13.JPG Photo by Starjordanjohn – Wikimedia Commons

President Aguinaldo greatly enlarged his home from 1919 to 1921 and transformed it into a monument to the country. He constructed an elaborate ‘Independence Balcony’ which was used by top officials during Independence day celebrations.

He donated his home to the government on June 12, 1963. He thought it would perpetuate the spirit of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 that put an end to Spanish colonization.

Today, the visitors assume the balcony to be the actual location of the Independence Proclamation.

2. The National Flag

Emilio designed the Philippine flag, the flag was formally unfurled from the front window of the house. It was first flown during the Battle of Alapan in Imus on May 28, 1898, the day is now celebrated as Philippine National Flag Day.

3. Aguinaldo Park

Aguinaldo Shrine 4.JPG Photo by Starjordanjohn – Wikimedia Commons

It is a park in front of the house created for the Philippine Centennial celebration of 1998. The park has a long promenade and two long pools. Before the house was fronted by a busy street but now the property is guarded.

The park features a bronze equestrian statue of Aguinaldo on horseback showing how he was the hero of the people of the Philippines.

The statue is surrounded by the Declaration of The Philippine Independence Mural which is a series of black marble walls that contains the entire declaration in Spanish.

4. The Main House

Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit Cavite.jpg Photo by Ira Villanueva – Wikimedia Commons

The Aguinaldo house is a mansion over 14,000 square feet, the floor area was designed by Aguinaldo himself. The house features secret passages and hiding places for weapons and documents.

The house is filled with antique furniture and decorated throughout with motifs of the Philippine flag. The building is divided into three sections: the main house on the west side, the family wing on the east, and the tower located in the middle.

The mezzanine level on the second floor is sometimes counted as an extra floor.

The ground floor of the house was previously unwalled but it was typical for all homes during the era. Today, it is used as the museum of Aguinaldo’s memorabilia and other historical artifacts.

5. Rooms In The Building

Aguinaldo Shrine.JPG Photo by Starjordanjohn – Wikimedia Commons

The second floor hosts the grand hall and a large meeting room with a historic front window. The dining room is located on the same floor and is highlighted by a raised- relief map of the Philippines. On the same level is the bedroom of Aguinaldo.

As well as the kitchen, conference room he used often, and a partially covered terrace on the western end of the building. The east wing has three bedrooms for the general’s three daughters. 

The next level is a mezzanine library, it overlooks the grand hall below. The visitors use a flight of stairs that leads to the Ambassador room which is used as a study by the general’s son-in-law. 

The last floor has the other bedroom of Aguinaldo which he used during the latter part of his life. The tiled terrace on the level offers a commanding view of the town as far as Manila.

6. The Aguinaldo Garden

The house is surrounded by greenery bordered by a river on the east and backed by a fish pond to the south. The display outside the house is Aguinaldo’s personal car, which is a 1924 Packard limousine that was restored in November 2009.

Behind the house in the middle of the garden is a marble tomb where the first president, Emilio Aguinaldo.

7. The Famous Museum

The Aguinaldo shrine museum on the ground floor is maintained by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. It has a hologram depicting Aguinaldo on the eve of June 12, 1898.

Some of his personal belongings of the late president include the Vara De Mano, ceremonial mace, swords, caps, badges, uniforms, armadillo pants, and a shirt.

There is an exhibit called Hall Of The Sinners or the Balcony of Sinners where military plots against the Spanish authorities were planned.

8. The Decorated Ceilings

3429Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine 39.jpg Photo by Judgefloro – Wikimedia Commons

On the second floor, the wooden antique furniture is decorated with ceilings. There is one decoration that shows the eight-rayed sun which is called the Mother Philippines. 

There are other decorations with intricate details near the iconic front window. There is a wood-carved image of the Philippine archipelago in the formal dining room.

9. The Secret Tunnel

The house is filled with many secrets that were hidden until the house was open to tourists. The secret compartments around the house were where Emilio hid his secret and important items.

Some of the tunnels will lead you to nearby places in Kawit. However, one tunnel will lead you to Saint Mary Magdalene Church but the tunnel is no longer accessible on both ends because it is filled with water.

10. Aguinaldo’s Tomb

Behind the mansion is the garden where Emilio’s marble tomb lies. He died on February 6, 1964, and in the same year, the mission and the grounds were declared a National Shrine.

This was a way for the nation to show respect for his presidency and his work for the people. They did this to make sure that the mansion had no other residents aside from the late president.