Tag Archives: Emilio Aguinaldo

Cavite Day Tour Part 2: Bonifacio Trial House

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This is the second installment of the one day tour made by our travel group, FUNtastic Philippines that started from Balite Falls in Amadeo, to Maragondon, Ternate, Kawit, and Noveleta.

Maragondon Church was featured in Part 1.

Maragondon: BONIFACIO TRIAL HOUSE

Cavite FUNmeet 251 (960x640)

Cavite FUNmeet 250 (960x640)

As lifted (100%) from the pages of the National Historical Commission website:

When the Revolution broke out on August 23,1896, the Katipunan ceased to be a secret society. Later in the year, it was proposed that a new government be established to unite the Katipuneros under a single leadership. The Magdalo faction nominated Emilio Aguinaldo, a young Katipunan leader from Kawit. The Magdiwang faction maintained that Bonifacio, the Katipunan’s Supremo, should settle the leadership issue. Bonifacio was invited to an assembly in Tejeros, Cavite, on March 22, 1897.

The Trial of the Father of the Revolution

At the Tejeros Convention, a Revolutionary Government was established with Aguinaldo as president and Bonifacio as minister of the interior While Bonifacio was being proclaimed, Daniel Tirona, a Magdalo, stood up and questioned his qualifications. A lawyer, he said, should fill that position. Gravely insulted, Bonifacio, invoking his authority as presiding officer, declared the proceedings null and void and went on to establish his own government in Naic, Cavite.

On Aguinaldo’s orders Bonifacio was arrested in Barrio Limbon in Indang, Cavite, for refusing to recognize the revolutionary government. Also arrested were his wife Gregoria and brother Procopio. In the brief but intense struggle, Bonifacio was stabbed in the throat and grazed by a bullet on the shoulder. His brother Ciriaco was killed. The wounded Bonifacio was placed in a hammock and brought back to Naic, along with Gregoria and Procopio, for a pre-trial hearing.

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Based on sufficient cause, a military court was quickly convened in Maragondon, Cavite, on May 4. The following day, the court charged the Bonifacio brothers with treason and sedition. On May 6, they were sentenced to death.

On the morning of May 10,1897 the Bonifacio brothers were taken by Major Lazaro Makapagal to Mount Tala. When they reached Hulog, a barrio in the vicinity of Mount Nagpatong, Makapagal, upon Bonifacio’s insistence, opened his sealed orders. The order was for the execution of the two brothers, with a warning of severe punishment should he fail to execute the order. To this day, the death of the Father of the Revolution remains a controversial issue in the nation’s history.

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The house in Maragondon, Cavite, where a military court tried Katipunan founder Andres Bonifacio and his brother Procopio, has been turned into a museum commemorating a significant, if dark, episode in our history. Its centerpiece is a life-size diorama recreating the trial scene.

The Bonifacio Trial House is located in Maragondon, a town of Cavite. The house is open from Tuesday to Saturday at 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

(Here is the link where I copied all of the above information : http://www.nhcp.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44 )

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Aguinaldo Shrine, Kawit Cavite

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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

the mansion's grand staircase

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!