Emilio Aguinaldo's Kawit home is filled with history and secrets

Most Filipinos know that the simple house where former President Emilio Aguinaldo and his family lived in Kawit, Cavite is one of the most historical sites in the Philippines, it being the site of the declaration of independence in 1898.

 

After more than a hundred years, the family of the former President has decided to give Filipinos a chance to experience history a little more personally by opening the house to the public and letting us in on its secrets.

 

Pia Arcangel, in a report on 'Saksi' on Friday, said the house that Aguinaldo lived in is also home to secret rooms and passages.

 

There are secret passages all over the house and a mirror in the master bedroom that hid an escape room that saved Aguinaldo's life when the Spaniards attacked his home.

 

There is also a small trapdoor in Aguinaldo's quarters that leads to an indoor pool for private relaxation.

 

As much as the family wanted to open the house to the public, they have had to close some of the areas due to maintenance problems brought about by the huge number of visitors.

 

One of these rooms that remains closed to the public is the bomb shelter under Aguinaldo's abode.

 

“Ang kalaban talaga natin ay alikabok at saka 'yung wear and tear, mga iniipon ng mga tao,” said Angelo Aguinaldo, great grandson of former President Aguinaldo.

 

Visitors can, however, still peek into the bomb shelter through a glass window in the museum.

 

Aside from secret passages and rooms, Aguinaldo's home now also has interactive exhibits such as a hologram of the former president and several interactive 2D walls from the National Historical Commission for a more fun "throwback" to Philippine history. — Bianca Rose Dabu/JDS, GMA News