Cavite Commemorates 149th Birth Anniversary of General Aguinaldo

March 22, 2018 has been declared as Aguinaldo Day a.k.a. Cavite Day earlier this month in commemoration of the 149th birth anniversary of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president of the Philippines. People of Cavite, or Caviteños, gathered together in front of Aguinaldo’s mansion, known as the Aguinaldo Park, to celebrate his birth anniversary. The celebration was graced by many government officials – Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Hon. Ludovico D. Badoy, Hon. Francis Gerald Abaya of District 1 Cavite, Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla, Hon. Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo, and more.

The celebration started with an opening parade and flag ceremony at 6:30 am, followed by speeches from different government officials present at the event. There were also performances like marching band, choir, and declamation. Travel and trade expo was also held in the park showcasing products of Cavite. After the short program, we were able to tour around inside the mansion of General Aguinaldo.

Just a bit of history about Aguinaldo Shrine, it is one of the national shrines in the Philippines and is located in Kawit, Cavite. The shrine is actually the ancestral home of General Aguinaldo. Many historical remarks took place here – the Declaration of Philippine Independence and the unfurling of the Philippine flag. The 14,000 sq. ft mansion was built in 1845 made from wood and thatch. It was reconstructed in 1849 and is now a museum visited by tourists and locals. It showcases General Aguinaldo’s memorabilia and other historical artifacts. The mansion has a garden bordered by a river on the east while backed by a fish pond to the south. You will find his marble tomb here. You can also find Aguinaldo’s personal car displayed outside the mansion which is a 1924 Packard limousine that got restored in 2009.

In case you’re wondering, the museum is free admission. Aguinaldo Shrine is open from Tuesdays-Sundays, 8 AM to 4 PM. You can bring your family and friends for a day of historical tour. Aguinaldo Shrine is definitely a must-visit place when visiting Cavite for the first time, you should include it in your itinerary. #TaraCaviteTayo! To know more about Cavite tourism, you may check visitcavite.com or follow them on Facebook.