TRIP TO HOUSE OF HISTORY IN KAWIT, CAVITE

Aguinaldo Mansion played an essential role in our nation’s history. Some of the critical events in the latter part of the revolution were set here.

The most notable event transpired in this grandiose mansion was the Philippine Independence declaration on 12 June 1898. The proclamation took place between 4 and 5 in the afternoon, with San Francisco de Malabon Band playing Marcha Nacional Filipina, which later became known in history as Lupang Hinirang.

The Lupang Hinirang lyrcis was written by Jose Palma while its music by Julian Felipe.

The declaration of the independence, Acta De La Proclamacion de la Independencia, was written and read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista during the said historic proclamation.

HISTORY OF THE MANSION

The mansion was initially made of nipa, wood, thatch, and the like in 1985.

Just like any other house, the mansion, with a total land area of 4864 sqm, had gone through crucial repair and renovation.

However, after the repeal of the Sedition Act of 1907, or banning on displaying of Philippine flag in the whole archipelago, former President Emilio Famy Aguinaldo decided to renovate and expand the independence balcony, between 1919 and 1921, for the annual commemoration of Philippine Independence.

A year before his demise, General Emilio Aguinaldo donated the mansion to the government and waived off all his rights to the property in 1963.

INSIDE THE MUSEUM

_{The diorama depicts the oath-taking of General Emilio Aguinaldo and Mariano Trias, the President and Vice-President of the Revolutionary Government, in Santa Cruz de Malabaon convent on 23 March 1897}

_{The museum also has a bunker. Initially, it was a small well designed as bomb or concrete shelter leading to a church. This bomb shelter is likewise connected to a dining table of General Aguinaldo at the second level.}

_{A replica of the office of Gen. Aguinaldo during the outbreak of the revolution}

img_5149-1 — _{Kris and Knives, which were given by the Datu, the father of Princess Tarhata, to Gen. Aguinaldo during the revolution}

The Mauser and Remington rifles were commonly used by the Spaniards. These were possessed by the Katipuneros from the retreating or fleeing Spaniards during the battle.

On behalf of Emperor Hirohito, Japanese Premier Inukai presented this Samurai sword with a _{sheath to General Aguinaldo in the 1930s.}

_{The Act of Proclamation of the Philippine Independence read by the author himself, Ambrosio Riazares Bautista on 12 June 1898}

During the revolution, Gen. Aguinaldo suffered from appendicitis and cataract. His appendix was preserved in the transparent bottle below together with the gauze, while the blue bottles were used for the treatment of his cataract. According to the tourist guide, Gen. Aguinaldo was also a victim of medical malpractice during his time.

_{General Emilio Aguinaldo was also known to his men and Filipinos as Heneral Miong, El Presidente, and Father of Philippine Independence.}

Latterly, the lavatory was constructed in the 1930s

The balcony that served as the place for courting, relaxation and meeting long time ago.

_{The other wing of the grandiose mansion of General Aguinaldo}

_{The wooden frame on the ceiling portrays teh member-countries representing the League of Nations—the United Nation’s forerunner.}

A function hall inside the museum where you can find the window-turned balcony where the ^{_{first Philippine fl}}_{^{ag was unveiled and waved between 4 and 5 in the afternoon on 12 June 1898 along with the playing of Marcha Nacional Filipina by San Franciso de Malabon Band.}}

General Aguinaldo’s various picture frames collection.

_{The reception area for the selected guests of the General}

THE BALCONY — _{The door was a former window where the historic unveiling and waving of the first Philippine Flag took place.}

THE BALCONY opposite — _{The inverse side of the balcony}

THE BALCONY LEFT SIDE.jpg — _{The portion adjacent to the balcony}

official dining table — _{Officials dining table where high-ranking officers were received}

The Mansion’s chessboard—an American influence or legacy.

Dining table to the cemented bomb shelter — _{The dining table is connected to the cemented (bomb) shelter on the first floor down to the underground.}

The punctilious General Emilio Aguinaldo was the one who installed and arranged the array of frames above.

Unknown to many, the magnificent mansion also has a makeshift swimming pool for the General’s recreation.

THE TOMB OF GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO

here lies.jpg — _{Here lies the first President of the first Philippine Republic.}

The former Philippine President died at the age of 94 on 6 February 1964, due to coronary thrombosis.

After General Emilio Aguinaldo’s demise in 1964, Aguinaldo mansion, aka the House of History, was declared a national shrine (freedom shrine) by means of RA 4039 by President Diosdado Macapagal on 18 June 1964.

Two years earlier, President Diosdado Macapagal did away with the yearly Fourth of July independence celebration—patterned after the United States.

In lieu, President Macapagal officially changed the country’s Independence day to 12 June—the actual date when we officially declared our independence from Spain—by virtue of Republic Act 4166.