I have viewed this house in awe many times, especially when I make my customary evening drive during the Christmas season, checking out the Christmas lights competition among the many barangays within the whole province of Cavite. I remember seeing hundreds of Capiz shells glittering in the night, spread on a huge tree within the grounds of the shrine. Beautiful.
The house is like no other old house I have visited. Not for its grandeur, but for its intriguing design. It is obvious that a military tactician lived there. So many escape routes, so many concealed doors. The general can go in and out of his bedroom unnoticed by guests he would not want to entertain, or even hide behind a space inside a faux clothes cabinet. A tower on the seventh level allows his men to see any advancing enemies. A trap door under a dining table leads to a tunnel that goes all the way to the church compound. There is also an escape route to the river and on to the sea. Marvelous.
The guide, Mr. Bolivar, peppered my tour with interesting details, and trivia, allowing me to “live those years”.
Here now are photos taken within this majestic mansion. They say a picture paints a thousand words, so here’s a million for you.
This is a photo of how the house looked before
Now. The grand staircase.
old beds and furnitur
The rooms are properly labeled, and the guide, Mr Bolivar, provides color to the stories.
Mr Bolivar says Gen Aguinaldo was most likely the first victim of medical malpractice
a daughter’s bedroom
The balcony where “sins” were committed
the balcony
original furniture
imported lavatory, a rarity in those days
bed and friar’s chair
Manila on the horizon
the stairs leading to the tower
the famous “Independence Day” balconyand when was independence proclaimed?
the living room, from the foyer leading to the library
the huge reception hall
the general’s bedroom
faux cabinet doors
a grand bathroom in those days
his bed
false cabinet door
his safe
details
details
a house for many guests
state functions
the Philippine flag on a post
the family dining room, with an escape route from under the table to the church
the oven
back door
Veterans Hall
the hall
a small swimming pool
the “washing machine”
the general’s car
his tomb at the back of the mansion
How to get there:
The Aguinaldo Shrine is in Kawit, Cavite. From Manila, take the CAVITEX from Coastal Road. The Shrine is a few meters before reaching the church in Kawit.
By public transportation, take a jeepney or bus bound for Cavite, Rosario, or Noveleta, making sure it passes thru the town of Kawit (and not via SM Bacoor).
Our guide: Mr. Bolivar
Many thanks to you!
LAKWATSA 
A very good pose, and a very meaningful one. Yes, this is awe-inspiring the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing this post. When I visited Manila early this year, I did not have the opportunity to visit the Shrine. Your nice pictures brought be there.
I wanna visit this. i used to read it in History books nung elementary days. bute they allow to take photos inside. thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi! I want to ask how do i get to the shrine if i am coming from Imus, Cavite? I am a resident of Makati but i will be checking in on a property in Citta Italia at Imus before going to the shrine so I don’t know where i can take the bus going to Kawit from Imus.
Thanks a lot.
You can take a bus or a jeepney from Citta Italia Imus to SM Bacoor which is along the Agunaldo Hi-Way. From SM Bacoor, take a jeepney of a mini bus going to Cavite City, or to Rosario/Salinas. It will actually not take you very long because Kawit, where the Aguinaldo Shrine is located, is the town next to Bacoor. For peace of mind, ask the conductor or the driver that you are going to Aguinaldo Shrine. It is right there where the bus or the jeepney will pass. Ejnoy the visit.
How much did it cost you to get a tour guide?
Thanks!
There is no rate. The guide is there to help groups understand the story behind the house and the General. Of course guests show appreciation via gratuities.
thanks for the pics of inside the house. Believe it or not . The back of this house use tobe bed salts(asinan) and the open space before the road in fronet of Tirona high scholl was our first hous in Cavite.its part of Baranggay gahak. I can see the grandeur of the house from my kichen . including the Chiko tree which is the favorite of the General. too bad We moved to america and the property was bought by someone else. we lived on that hous in82-86.
you should check out the guys practicing parkour/freerunning every saturday morning on the park. its amusing to watch them after going around the shrine
Would you happen to have Mr. Bolivar’s number? Thank you.
Unfortunately I lost it when I left my phone on my shorts before it went to the washing machine.
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