In the afternoon of the 3rd day of the year 2013, I joined several bloggers going to Kawit, Cavite for the Kawit Christmas Light and Sound Show. We got to the venue faster than I expected it to be, having passed the roads of Cavitex. Hence, we had the chance to roam around the grounds of the Aguinaldo Shrine and also got to know the man who lived at the Aguinaldo Shrine.
While waiting for everyone to arrive, we had the chance to roam around the area, including the backyard of Aguinaldo’s ancestral house.
Then the tour started, where we were shown Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo’s office and memorabilia…
We also went inside the house, where we explored the living area and the various rooms of the house where the first President of the Philippines lived, and this is where one gets a glimpse of who Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo is as a person.
The Aguinaldo’s are well-off. Just a look at all the furniture, fixtures and decors, you’ll know these pieces cannot be afforded by an ordinary person or family. 
Gen. Aguinaldo and his family has impeccable taste. The house is adorned with beautiful pieces that appeals even to the current generation with discriminating taste.
Looking up, I saw how Gen. Aguinaldo has that keen attention to detail. Even the ceilings are well-adorned. His sense of patriotism is also evident.
The Aguinaldo Shrine is where the independence of the Philippines from Spain was declared on June 12, 1898. That fateful day is now commemorated as Araw ng Kalayaan or the Philippine Independence Day. And although it is a national holiday where the Philippine flag raised annually at this location every June 12th, very little is known about the man who lived in this ancestral house. We might not be able to read more about him, but we can certainly visit this house which is now a museum. And the good thing is, there’s no entrance fee to tour the entire place.
Last, but certainly not the least, we witnessed the Christmas Light and Sound Show for everyone’s enjoyment. We were told that a bazaar was built in the park during the Christmas season, and many came to witness the show. The mood of the place became festive as Christmas songs were played in synch with the Christmas lights. 
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
10 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
Ia Adam-Lim
10 January, 2013 at 3:04 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
The first time I went to Aguinaldo’s home was a field trip with my students. Traffic then was not as pleasant as you experienced during your visit. Yet, I still enjoyed the tour. I’m sure being a blogger you had more access than the normal tourist and I wish I could have been there. I still have my souvenir pocket knife that looks like a rifle somewhere I think from that trip. Do they still sell them there?
Rochelle
9 January, 2013 at 2:57 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Those are very beautiful shots.
Mikee Aguirre
7 January, 2013 at 9:53 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Nice!
ITIN
6 January, 2013 at 2:08 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I like the shots! I also like the Christmas light being adorned outside the shrine. That’sa good thing to not make the ancestral property look like haunted.
RonLeyba
6 January, 2013 at 11:51 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Nice photos Alwin. I wish I was there (Kawit is close to my place) to accompany you at this tour
.
rain
6 January, 2013 at 1:05 am (UTC 8) Link to this comment
I agree! Nice shots Alwin!
Mabuhay!
Fred
5 January, 2013 at 10:55 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
How coincidental that I see this post right after I have seen “El Presidente” this afternoon. I have already visited this house many years back, but it deserves a second look now. The light and sound show is just for Christmas? Hope they would restage it next year Christmas again.
Franc Ramon
5 January, 2013 at 9:12 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
This is really a nice place to visit as it gives you a lesson in history.
Melo of Outoftownblog
5 January, 2013 at 4:35 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Awesome Photos:) Thanks for joining us:)
Alwin Aguirre
5 January, 2013 at 6:19 pm (UTC 8) Link to this comment
Thanks Melo. It was a pleasure joining the tour