The Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine

UPDATE: Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine and Museo ni Emilio Aguinaldo are now officially open to public after almost a year of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the things you need to consider before visiting these historical sites

  • Walk-in visitors are currently not allowed in the museums. Visitors must book the tour at least 2 days before the visit. You can book via phone call (046 484 7643), through email (museoniemilioaguinaldo@gmail.com), or through their Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/AguinaldoShrine).
  • Health protocols will be strictly implemented. Must observe physical distancing and wear facemasks.
  • You will be asked to disinfect your hands upon entering the museum. Temperature will be checked too.
  • Refrain yourself from touching any items in the exhibits.
  • Limited time will be given per gallery.
  • No guided tours allowed
  • An evaluation form will be handed out by the curator after the tour

Related Article: Virtual Tour: Museo ni Aguinaldo

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The province of Cavite will not be dubbed as the History Capital of the Philippines for no reason. Almost every town of Cavite has special place to offer and each has huge historical significance. You’ll find the Bonifacio Shrine in Maragondon, the Tejeros Convention in General Trias Cavite and of course the iconic Shrine of Emilio Aguinaldo in Kawit Cavite. Not to far from the said shrine lies another historical place, the Baldomero Auguinaldo Shrine!
13413869_482832558578595_1142551486_ntHonestly, I can barely recall the name “Baldomero Aguinaldo” in any of the history textbooks I had in school but considering his surname, I know the fact that he is related to our country’s first president. Baldomero Auinaldo is in fact the first cousin of Emilio Aguinaldo and is one of the three Aguinaldos who became generals of Philippine Revolution. Aguinaldo organized, along with his cousin Emilio, the Magdalo chapter of the Katipunan in Kawit. He became president of the council. In the early days of hostilities, he always stayed at the side of his cousin Emilio. He fought in several bloody battles.13401022_482833315245186_1959497263_ntThe Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine is located at Bisita St, Kawit, Cavite. Being a pure Caviteño, locating this place wasn’t that hard at all. This single-detached house is not as huge as Aguinaldo Mansion but is definitely worth visiting. After all, the entrance for this place is free of charge (but donation would be a big help for its maintenance). 13401246_482833351911849_1859130147_ntBaldomero Shrine is basically a two-storey house with blue-green and white paint scheme and unlike his cousin’s mansion, this house is adorned with simple details. It is seemingly well maintained too!13434128_482833331911851_26195985_ntI was with my sister that time and we were lucky enough that the place wasn’t crowded. I was actually expecting a lot of visitors that day considering that it’s just 2 days before the celebration of Independence day. We were warmly welcomed by Mr Tony , the caretaker. The lower ground floor is widely opened and is very spacious as well. It actually acts as the bodega (store room). It also has party closed rooms which served as the working area.13401358_482833258578525_1066079588_ntThere is nothing much to see in the lower ground floor but it has some stuffs that is worth checking. Upon entering the place, you will be welcomed by this metal bust statue of Baldomero Aguinaldo. IMG_0033tAn Oil Canvas portrait of Baldomero Aguinaldo.IMG_0042tA Rattan-made furniture is also displayed in the room along with antique chairs and tables too. IMG_0038tThis old iron, saw and pan will surely take your attention!13407532_482833208578530_1413542243_ntThis cannon may not be as huge than what we have seen in Aguinaldo Shrine but this one cannot be left unnoticed!IMG_0043tThe wooden stairs will lead you to the living room. 13434257_482833015245216_477150755_ntVisitors will be welcomed by this well-decorated ceiling. The living room or sala is filled with many huge portraits in almost every wall. 13435700_482832955245222_1426831004_nThe panoramic view of the living room showing doors that will lead you to the two bedrooms and the kitchen.zzzzzzAn antique piano sitting beside the stair’s balusters 13414447_482832911911893_989319057_ntDoes it remind you of those haunted house in classic horror movies?13414480_482832995245218_907352442_ntCoffee table and chairs in the living room.IMG_0059tThe first room that you will encounter right after you hit the upper floor. IMG_0060tHere’s a picture of Cesar Emilio Aguinaldo Virata (Baldomero’s grandson) who was also the fourth Prime Minister of the Philippines from 1981 to 1986. (wow I didn’t know we had such government system like that before).13414728_482833018578549_26279155_ntBaldomero Aguinaldo is seemingly fascinated with dear skulls and you’ll find a pair of this in front of one of the bed rooms! 13436034_482832998578551_154253669_ntI really love the floral ceiling! Reminds me of Shabby ChicIMG_0049tThe place is also well-ventilated as it has three windows at each side.IMG_0061tEach beadroom will showcase antique furniture. It is very interesting to note that this house was originally built in 1906 (which makes it a century old now) and it is very typical during that era that Philippine houses are often made from hardwood.This house in particular is made from Molave and Narra which provide an excellent natural ventilation. 13401364_482832838578567_683077137_ntzzzzzzFormal dresses on display. These are probably worn by Baldomero and his wife. IMG_0072t13101388_482832758578575_344047896_ntThe dining area13414564_482832848578566_718520748_ntAnd this buddy is just staring at me. I don’t think it is really comforting to eat on the dining area while seeing this one13414460_482832681911916_119774821_ntLocated beside the dining area is the dirty kitchen and there goes Mr Tony giving us some cool facts to learn.13444476_482832661911918_676734154_ntFirst thing you’ll notice with the kitchen is the flooring. The flooring of the kitchen is made out of bamboo slats which is useful for both ventilation and easy cleaning.IMG_0073tAn antique stove with antique kitchen ware.13434002_482832675245250_1659554636_ntMore antique wares on display.13401255_482832648578586_402539770_ntOne of the best things you could ever find in this Shrine is this vintage refrigerator. According to Kuya Tony, the Aguinaldo family used to import special ice overseas which could last for a long period of time. 13444360_482832615245256_1312718990_ntBuilt outside the comedor (dining area) is a long outside shelf, or banguerra used for drying table ware.13401470_482832691911915_669707614_ntThat’s me enjoying the view hahaIMG_0055tMuch like the Aguinaldo Shrine, Baldomero Aguinaldo’s tomb is also situated on the backyard. 13401280_482832595245258_469849544_ntGen Baldomero Aguinaldo died in Manila of heart failure and rheumatism on February 4, 1915 at the age of 45 and was interred at the Manila North Cemetery. His remains were later exhumed and brought back to his home in Kawit. IMG_0099t13407690_482833411911843_1194139943_ntDoes it looks familiar? Same outdoor decor with Aguinaldo Mansion right?

How To get Here : 

  • From Coastal Mall, ride a bus bound to Dasma Pala Pala. Tell the driver to drop you off at SM Bacoor.
  • From SM Bacoor, ride a bus bound to Cavite City, Tanza, Ternate or any passenger buses going south but make sure that they will pass through Binakayan (Do not ride on buses that will pass through Island Cove)
  • Tell the driver to drop you off at 7 Eleven Binakayan and from there, you can either ride a tricycle or just walk until you reach the Baldomero Shrine!

5 thoughts on “The Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine

  • July 20, 2016 at 10:19 pm
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    Cavite is so rich with heritage sites. Seeing the shrine can give us a glimpse of our history.

    Reply
  • July 21, 2016 at 11:19 pm
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    Well after reading this complete blog post, I will just say It’s awesome. Thanks for sharing this wonderful blog post.

    Reply
  • July 24, 2016 at 7:23 pm
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    Cavite is truly a historical province where you can see different shrines of our national heroes. Definitely next time I will visit the Baldomero Aguinaldo Shrine!

    Reply
  • July 29, 2016 at 9:47 am
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    I have been in Cavite so long ago. I think I was there 10 years ago and I can still remember that they have a great heritage there. My relatives from there would ask us o go to their house in Imus for a vacation and when it’s Sat or Sun, we usually drive around to explore historical sites. I think we went here already, must have slipped my mind but the photos kinda feels nostalgic.

    Reply
  • July 30, 2016 at 1:13 am
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    Of all the things you featured on your photos, the one that really caught my eyes were the old clothes. Gosh, imagine the people who wore that and the kind of lives they lived. Thanks to your post, I know a little more about our history because try as I might, I could not remember Baldomero.

    Reply

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