Exploring The Aguinaldo Shrine ~ Part 1

June 12 is one of the most significant date in Philippine history simply because it is the time when our Independence day was proclaimed. Independence was proclaimed on June 12, 1898 to be specific and this remarkable event took place in Cavite at the ancestral home of General Emilio Aguinaldo which is now addressed as the “Aguinaldo Shrine”
 As a Caviteño, I grew up seeing the Shrine so often especially when I’m going to work or when traveling outside Cavite. Although it is a normal scene to me, I never really had a chance to explore the mansion so I took my mom and my little brother with me and we had our very own “Field trip” together hehe.
This is going to be a long post so I decided to divide them into three parts. Before we get inside, allow me to show you first the exterior of the house and the Aguinaldo Park.
 The property which was located adjacent to the river was expanded to include Aguinaldo Park, a park in front of the house created for the Philippine Centennial celebration of 1998.
The park features a bronze equestrian statue (on horseback) of Aguinaldo set on a marble pedestal. The statue was surrounded by the Declaration of The Philippine Independence Mural. Acta de la proclamación de independencia del pueblo Filipino (Act of the Declaration of independence). They are series of black marble walls containing the entire Declaration written in Spanish. Signatories from the 98 delegates.
A closer view of the mansion. According to the Tour guide that we spoke with, the mansion is a 6 story building with the 6th floor act as the watch tower. Only the first two floors can be accessed by the visitors.
For those who are not yet aware, this Shrine is the ancestral home of General Emilio Aguinaldo,the first president of the First Republic of the Philippines. It was established in 1845 which was entirely made from wood and thatch. The iconic front window of the mansion. During the independence celebration, the Philippine flag designed by Emilio Aguinaldo was formally unfurled to the people of the nation from the front window of the house. It is also the time when our national anthem was heard! A historical marker situated at the Aguinaldo Park. Another historical marker located beside the mansion. Once you enter the gate, you will be welcomed by a pair of historical markers too (one written in English and the other one in Tagalog) A Vintage cannon sitting in the garden.
The entrance to the mansion. I also like to take note that Aguinaldo Shrine was closed to the public since September 2014 to pave way for the renovation and modernization of the building. They reopened it last March! The rear side of the mansion.
Look how detailed the architecture back then!

Behind the mansion lies garden with a marble tomb where the first president is interred.Aguinaldo died on February 6, 1964, at the age of 94 at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Quezon City. The same year, the government declared the mansion as a National Shrine on June 18 through Republic Act of 4039 signed by President Diosdado Macapagal.
Another thing that catches my attention are those big metal pot with lotus on them (with flowers ^_^)
Now, that we are done exploring the exterior, it is time for us to go inside which will somehow take us back in time. Will post more in my next entry!

PART 1 │ PART 2 │ PART 3