Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Kalayaan as Seen Through our Family's Eyes

 Ka Heber Bartolome was on TV, singing what had been the totally Pinoy  freedom-fighters' theme song "Tayo'y Mga Pinoy,"  saying that we, as a nation are not still free.   In high school, we have written a lot of essays about the sickening Philippine term "kasarinlan" (oh, I think in college as well, with the dreaded term papers).  Kasarinlan, independence in other word, is a prelude to what freedom is.   You are free to choose where to live, what to buy, what to eat, who to put in the government-seat,  boils down to exercising the right to choose how we live our life.
History dictates that 114 years ago we have been freed from the Spanish regime, while some would attest that till now we still have been under the influence of colonial-mentalism our fore-fathers have submitted themselves to.  From Spanish, to British, back to Spanish, American, then the Japanese, and finally being regained by the Americans, it had been a tough challenge to our government who have educated  us our own rightful identity through the rich Filipino culture.
I guess, people from different walks of life see freedom or independence  differently, with  opinions of how they see it in our country.   In  my eyes, as long as me and my family are not held captives by someone else's idea, not oppressed by any entity,
What we have now, we owe it to our heroes who have fought the battle to force away foreign enemies out of our land.  Either in arms, in writings and championing different aspects of arts, culture and sports, we have managed to say that though many people still are hungry, unemployed, corrupt, unjust, our nation still have come us one in many a battle.
So, in honor of the Philippine's Kalayaan 2012 celebration, my husband and I gave a short look-through to the times where old mansions have been made into meeting places, either for revolutionary tactics, family events, and society parties, and eventually having had our first-made Philippine flag waved by the first Philippine revolutionary government.
We brought our two little ones to Aguinaldo Shrine at  Kawit, Cavite, and had them see and feel the mansion were past government in times of revolutionary turmoil was at large.   How the rooms and furnitures would have looked like, and people in Pres. Emilio Aguinaldo's league have lived, were amongst showcased in the mansion turned museum.
 Here is how the shrine looked like in those times.
 Here is how it shines standing mightily after decades and seasons.   We have to thank the government of Cavite for maintaining and caring for the premiss. 
At the entrance gate


 Of all the items encased in glass, here are what caught my attention, haha, the gastronome struck again,  a foldable spoon and fork, and a suitcase for  picnics. 




 On the left, behind my daughter, Dana, is what used to be Pres. Aguinaldo's office, and on the right is the exit from the left side of the house, coming from the huge parlour.
 My guess, their fave sport is bowling.
 A view from a window of the isle leading to the rooms.



 The three bedrooms of the Aguinaldo family.
 Ah, an alluring site from the veranda and a refreshing feel, as the wind lulls you to relax.
The dining area.
 The Kitchen.
 At the backyard, where the Pres. Aguinaldo laid.
 A view of the mansion from behind.
 Around the vicinity, fruit bearing trees, such as mango, sampalok, chico, mabolo and many others give shade to some part of the land.


 Since it was, June 12, a celebration at the plaza,  in front of the mansion was held.  Celebrities hosted, gave way some stuff through games, bingo and talent showcases.  Also, for hungry tourists, there are stalls selling foods and here where I got Filipino healthy versions of chips.  I bought, the yellow ginger, tahong, and malungay variants.


 The museum closed down its doors by four pm, so we only had a quick tour of just parts of the premiss.   The drive was easy and surprisingly only took us 15 minutes from Mall of Asia, via Cavitex road.
The hungry pack then raided Bacoor to look for the best Halo-halo known for years, which we knew as Digman's.   Not to keep my post long let me just give you this link,  D'Original Digman's Halo-halo,  where you can a review of the cold treat and the story behind the controversy of claiming to be the Original Halo-halo in town.
 Along the road of the Bacoor are a few more Spanish houses which are being saved and maintained.
This one according to stories have been made us meeting places of some officials during the revolutionary time.

26 comments:

  1. Love those images! I've never been to that places at least I've experienced a mini-tour today (thru your picture)! About 'kalayaan' I do hope we achieve true freedom especially the freedom from poverty..

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  2. My mom is a Cavitena ,and I spent most of my childhood life there. We pass Kawit, where the Aguinaldo Shine is located , on the way to mo's town .The palce is really well maintained and really made open for public viewing. I can say,i am proud to be a Cavitena.

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  3. This is such a nice historical visit and in line with independence day celebration. Very educational post.

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  4. Thanks for the tour of Aguinaldo Shrine! I think we visited that place years ago during school field trips!... now I miss pinas' halo halo!!!

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  5. Shucks! I love the spirit! Galing! That's a good thing to instill in the younger generation.

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  6. Been there twice or thrice already, however I can't really appreciate it much every time I think on what happened to Andres Bonifacio :( sorry for mentioning it.

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    Replies
    1. here's one for 150 years of lolo andress... https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/22754_1247266594615_2536308_n.jpg

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  7. ive been here before. same na same pa din! :)

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  8. It is nice to see kids finding time to visit museums and re-learn the stories of the past.

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  9. I remember having our field trips here. This place can and will never grow old.

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  10. We visited the place a few years ago during a school field trip. I was amazed at how the house and all the things inside it were kept in great condition. I just hope that they can still keep it that way for future generations.

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  11. Wow! I have yet to visit Aguinaldo Shrine as well as personally participate also at Independence day. ^_^

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  12. such a good thing and idea to celebrate

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  13. oh this I have to visit some day.. i love old houses.. creepy yet interesting.. nakaklungkot lang bakit parang kayo lang ang tao.... thanks for tip again.. teka is kawit far.. hahaha

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  14. Happy Independence Day!
    These pictures truly are FRESH yet AGED
    memories of our historical past.

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  15. It is very impressive how you and your partner decided to observe the Independance Day. :) Definitely fun to cap it off with a halo-halo treat!

    My partner and I might follow suit, when we finally visit the Philippines together. Well, we will not be able to time our visit during Independance day since they still have school here, when it's celebrated there. But I think it should definitely be in our itenerary of places our girls need to see.

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  16. I'd like to bring my kids there too so they can learn more about our history and value their freedom.

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