KAWIT, Cavite – The Museoni Emilio Aguinaldo (MEA) being managed by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) re-stages its educational tour program that explores Aguinaldo’s “secret passage” to serve as an alternative Christmas event for families and friends.
Offered every Saturday at 10 a.m., MEA’s “Lakbay Aral” program treats a selected number guests to the secret passages on the four walls of the historic site, which perpetuates to this day the ideals of the 1896 Revolution and the 1898 Proclamation of Philippine Independence, said MEA curator Paulette M. Bedruz.
Historical accounts reveal that these secret passages were used as Aguinaldo’s escape room, or as alternative passages to the mansion’s hidden areas.
Bedruz added that as part of the guided tour offering, the lucky guests will also have the privilege to savor the scenic view of Manila Bay from the vantage point at the Aguinaldo Shrine’s watch tower.
To preserve the place, participants are limited only “but they will certainly have a glimpse and experience General Aguinaldo’s house and how it was used during his time,” Bedruz said.
Dubbed as the “House of History”, Kawit’s Aguinaldo Mansion is the locus of a focal point in the unfolding of Philippine history.
It was originally constructed in 1845 using nipa, thatched materials, and wood and it served as the Aguinaldos’ family residence from where Gen. Aguinaldo had the vision of a free and proud nation.
A year before Aguinaldo’s death, the house was donated to the Filipino people in 1963 and was placed under the care of the National Museum of the Philippines in 1964.
Later, it was declared a national shrine and is now under the care and maintenance of the NHCP.
Interested museum guests may register at the shrine gate or through MEA’s official Facebook page. (PNA)
