Built in 1906, this iconic ancestral house was Baldomero Aguinaldo’s home after he retired as a general of the revolutionary forces. Featuring late 19th century furnishings, art, ceramics, household wares, and Baldomero Aguinaldo’s personal memorabilia, the museum gives visitors a glimpse into the family life of a war hero and gentleman farmer. Baldomero Aguinaldo and his family are buried in an inconspicuous corner of the Museum’s backyard.
Did you know?
Traditional bahay na bato “dirty kitchens” had bamboo flooring to allow moisture and small crumbs to slip through the slats and into the animal dwellings below.
5 Historical Places to Visit in Kawit, Cavite
Known as the birthplace of Philippine independence, Kawit is steeped in a rich history. It was here where Filipino troops raised the Philippine flag and played the national anthem for the first time, declaring their victory over Spain. No visit to Kawit is complete without stopping by one of its historical sites — here are some of the town’s must-visit locations.
1. Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine
On June 12, 1898, Emilio Aguinaldo proclaimed the Philippines’ independence from Spain from the window of his ancestral home’s grand hall. In the next few decades, Aguinaldo would enlarge the wood and thatch house into a great mansion with a tower, complete with an elaborate “Independence balcony” that he and other top officials would use to celebrate independence day.
In 1963, a year before Aguinaldo passed away, the house was donated to the government and placed under the care of the National Museum of the Philippines. It now serves as a museum and shrine, with exhibitions on the role of Cavite during the revolution, as well as recreations of 19th-century living spaces.
2. Freedom Park
Just in front of the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine is Freedom Park, a plaza that was built in the Philippine Centennial celebration in 1998. The park features a marble wall inscribed with the Philippine Declaration of Independence penned by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista and Emilio Aguinaldo. A statue of Aguinaldo stands in the middle of the plaza, along with Aguinaldo’s poem Sa Mga Cababayan (For My Countrymen).
3. St. Mary Magdalene Church
Kawit once served as a Spanish port and naval base, and earned a seedy reputation over the years. This changed when the Jesuits arrived in Kawit and declared St. Mary Magdalene the patroness of the town in 1624. A wooden church was first constructed in 1638, making St. Mary Magdalene Church of Kawit one of the oldest churches in the Philippines. The present structure, however, began construction in 1737. The church attracts devotees from all over the country, who visit the church and the image of St. Mary Magdalene for healing and resolution to personal problems.
4. The Battle of Binakayan Monument
The Battle of Binakayan took place on November 9 to 11, 1896. The battle, which took place simultaneously in Binakayan and Dalahican (in neighboring municipality Noveleta), was the first significant victory of Filipino revolutionaries against Spanish forces during the Philippine Revolution. The battle dealt a huge blow to the Spanish colonizers, and prevented Cavite from being reinvaded. The monument features sculptures of the battle’s most celebrated heroes, which include Emilio Aguinaldo, who led the Philippine forces as one of its chief commanders.
5. Museo ni Baldomero Aguinaldo
Built in 1906, this iconic house was Baldomero Aguinaldo’s home after he retired as a general of the revolutionary forces. The house remained his family’s ancestral home until the early 80s, when it was inaugurated as a museum. Influenced by the classic bahay na bato design, the blue and white house is made of stone and Philippine hardwood, such as molave and narra, and features large sliding windows, ventanillas, and intricate wall carvings. Featuring late 19th century furnishings, art, household wares, and Baldomero Aguinaldo’s personal memorabilia, the museum gives visitors a glimpse into the family life of a war hero and gentleman farmer.
How to Get to the Museo ni Baldomero Aguinaldo
Head west on the CAVITEx until you reach the toll gates, then exit left towards EPZA. Continue down Binakayan Diversion Road, then turn left towards NIA Road and SM City Imus. Continue down this road for 500 meters then turn left again at Medicion II Street. Continue for 750 meters, then turn left at the 7-11 into Bisita Street. Drive for 500 meters until you see the Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine to your right.
