by: Ar. Kenn Paolo Valero
The Aguinaldo Shrine proudly stand at the heart of the historic tinsel town of Kawit in the province of Cavite and was the seat of throne of the revolutionary and Magdalo leader, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippine Republic.
The shrine’s most significant feature was its Balcony or Valconaje wherein many ‘firsts’ happened. It was where he declared the Philippine Independence and Liberation or Kalayaan on June 12, 1898. It was also where the ‘Lupang Hinirang’ or Philippine National Anthem first heard. On the other hand, the Philippine National Flag was also first waived or ‘iwinagayway’ (but there are historic claims that it was then first waived on the town of Imus of the same province).
The Aguinaldo shrine was featured many times on historical books and textbooks, print ads like magazines and newspapers, even on televisions, write-ups, educational tours and the likes. All of which describing Aguinaldo shrine as a historic edifice and landmark, as part of our country’s rich and diverse history, heritage & culture, but unknown to others, its significant physicality and soul, or should say architectural features to that extent. So let me take you to an architectural tour and take a glimpse to the ins and outs of what I personally noted as “The Architectural Icon of Cavite”.
The Aguinaldo Shrine proudly stand at the heart of the historic tinsel town of Kawit in the province of Cavite and was the seat of throne of the revolutionary and Magdalo leader, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippine Republic.
The shrine’s most significant feature was its Balcony or Valconaje wherein many ‘firsts’ happened. It was where he declared the Philippine Independence and Liberation or Kalayaan on June 12, 1898. It was also where the ‘Lupang Hinirang’ or Philippine National Anthem first heard. On the other hand, the Philippine National Flag was also first waived or ‘iwinagayway’ (but there are historic claims that it was then first waived on the town of Imus of the same province).
The Aguinaldo shrine was featured many times on historical books and textbooks, print ads like magazines and newspapers, even on televisions, write-ups, educational tours and the likes. All of which describing Aguinaldo shrine as a historic edifice and landmark, as part of our country’s rich and diverse history, heritage & culture, but unknown to others, its significant physicality and soul, or should say architectural features to that extent. So let me take you to an architectural tour and take a glimpse to the ins and outs of what I personally noted as “The Architectural Icon of Cavite”.
Caviteño architects pose in front of the Aguinaldo Shrine during the Chapter’s Architectural Heritage Tour held last December 2011.
A view on the right side of the shrine. The watchtower on top proudly stands, inspiring on its own reflecting high Filipino values and aspiration for the real sense of freedom.
The BIG 3. VP for Area B Ar. Norman Morales, District Director for Area B3 Ar. Richie Corcuera and Cavite Chapter President Ar. JK Camantigue checking out the top most portion of the shrine, the watchtower.
Architects enjoying the 360° view of the horizon from the watchtower.
Ar. Jemmar Daguiso climbing up the narrow ladder leading to the top most part of the shrine.
An intricate wooden carvings and mouldings in an antique bed on one of the rooms of Aguinaldo’s daughters.
One of the canons used during the 1986 revolution by Aguialdo’s troops forms part of the exhibit at the ground floor of the shrine.
TATAK ARKITEKTONG KABITENYO: Below are edifices, structures and projects of our fellow Cavite Architects that are undoubtedly Aguinaldo-Shrine inspired. Living proofs that the Aguinaldo Shrine is the architectural icon of Cavite, from concepts to sketches to realizations.
De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Library
Emilio Aguinaldo College
Republic of Cavite
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