By Anthony Giron
KAWIT, Cavite --- It is all systems go for the 150th birth anniversary of General Emilio F. Aguinaldo on March 22 at the hero's Shrine in this historical municipality.
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) and the local government have set a program for the Aguinaldo Day proper with President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leading the activities.
A mini-exhibit featuring the life and milestones of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo is displayed at the lobby of the Provincial Capitol's Legislative Building in Trece Martires City (Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Cavite / MANILA BULLETIN)
Malacanang declared March 22 as a special non-working day in Cavite province in observance of the sesquicentennial birth celebration of Aguinaldo, a revolutionary leader and the country’s first president.
The declaration was contained in Proclamation No. 694 that was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea last March 12.
Aguinaldo Day is traditionally celebrated with simple activities at the Aguinaldo House/Shrine or the family mansion on Tirona Highway (then called Calle Real) in Barangay Kaingin, this municipality.
Aguinaldo, called “Heneral Miong,” became president in 1898 at the age of 29. He was also known as “Caesar of the Philippines,” “The Arm of Divine Providence,” and “Liberator of the Filipino People” for his actions and accomplishments during the revolution. He was born on March 22, 1869 at Cavite El Viejo now called Kawit.
The staff of Aguinaldo Shrine Curator Haidee Paulette M. Bedruz said that the program proper starts at 8 a.m. Friday (March 22). The Aguinaldo birth celebration theme is "Kalayaan at Kasarinlan."
The Aguinaldo Thanksgiving Mass was set at Saint Mary Magdalene Church, 6:30 a.m. Friday (March 22). The day's celebration activities also include the Aguinaldo Commemorative Celebration and the Cavite El Viejo Karakol or Liturgy Dance Competition.
President Duterte will lead the 8 a.m. program starting with the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies and his message for the Aguinaldo birth celebration.
The program will also be graced by National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Dr. Rene Escalante, Head, NHCP, Kawit Mayor Angelo Emilio Aguinaldo, Cavite Governor Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Central Bank Deputy Governor Maria Almabara T. Amador, Philippine Postal Corp. Head Norman N. Fulgencio, other officials and the descendants of General Aguinaldo.
The four-day Aguinaldo birth anniversary celebration starts with the "Serenata" on Saturday (March 16), the Aguinaldo Declamation Contest on the 19th and the "Grand Serenata" on March 23.
Tejeros Convention
Also commemorated on March 22 is the historical Tejeros Convention at the Casa Hacienda in Rosario. The Convention was the assembly and election that installed Aguinaldo as president and virtually molded the Philippine republic.
The historical events on March 22 were also made the founding anniversary of the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) the general headquarters of which in Quezon City was named after Emilio Aguinaldo.
Aside from his role as a revolutionary leader, Aguinaldo also designed the new Philippine flag that was sewn by Marcela Agoncillo, her daughter Lorenza, and Delfina Herbosa de Natividad, a niece of Dr. Jose P. Rizal, while he was exile in Hongkong in 1897.
The revolutionary movements that transpired in Cavite, particularly during the independence declaration in Kawit on June 12,1898, and elsewhere in the country bespeak of Aguinaldo’s bravery, patriotism and heroism.
Aguinaldo was elected in 1898 as first president of the new republic during the Malolos (Bulacan) Congress.
The General succumbed to coronary thrombosis at 94 on February 6, 1964 at the Veterans Memorial Hospital in Quezon City. His remains were entombed at the Aguinaldo Shrine.