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DESTINATIONS Bacolod INTERESTS Beaches
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CAVITE From:
The Philippine Deaprtment of Tourism Cavite
province is rich in culture and history. Imus, Cavite is the site
where the first successful Philippine revolution was waged. It is
also the place where the flag of the Philippine Republic was first
hoisted to proclaim the country's independence. The
province is the birthplace of Filipino heroes, among them Gen. Emilio
Aguinaldo, the first President of the Republic. By contrast, it
is a place which abounds in natural attractions and fantastic landscapes.
The crowning glory of Cavite is Tagaytay City , the so called "town
in the ridges." The ridge is the viewing arena where Taal Volcano,
can be seen in full panoramic splendor. Tagaytay
City is considered as the country's second summer capital next to
Baguio City because of its crisp and cool climate all year round,
is a treasure box of pleasure points by itself. BRIEF
HISTORY Cavite,
the name of the province, is derived from "Kawit", a Tagalog
word for "hook". This refers to the hook shaped land on
Old Spanish maps. The land was known as "Tangway" where
Spanish authorities evolved a fort from which the city of Cavite
grew. Archaeological
evidence in the coastal areas of Cavite show prehistoric settlements.
Folklore says that the earliest settlers of Cavite were from Borneo.
In the 1600's encomiendas or Spanish royal land grants were given
in Cavite and Maragondon. The Jesuit priests who first came brought
with them settlers from Mollucas. These settlers, known as Mardicas,
settled on Ternate and Maragondon. Other settlements grew over the
centuries and by the turn of the century Cavite towns were already
trading with one another. Traditional industries began to thrive
as Manila's commerce grew. Cavite like other provinces of Southern
Tagalog, began its involvement for reforms and later on revolution
as its educated citizens began to assert themselves like many Filipino
ilustrados of the time. In
1872, Filipinos revolted against Spain. Three Filipino priests -
Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora - were implicated
in the Cavite revolt in which 200 Filipinos rose in arms against
the Spanish forces in the garrisons. On
August 28, 1896, when the Philippine Revolution against Spain broke
out, Cavite became a bloody theatre of war. Led by Emilio Aguinaldo,
Caviteños made surprise attracts on the Spanish headquarters
and soon liberated the whole province. Aguinaldo directed the Revolution
to its end: the proclamation of the first Republic in Asia, the
Republic of the Philippines, on June 12, 1898 in Kawit. Cavite
and its people, what they are today, and what will be tomorrow,
will remain with infinity, as a place with glorious history and
a people fortified with strength to live and die for a worthy cause. TOURIST
ATTRACTIONS: 1.
AGUINALDO SHRINE and MUSEUM - (Kawit). The province of Cavite plays
an important role in Philippine political history. The proclamation
of the Republic of the Philippines was made in this town in the
balcony of the home of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first president
of the Philippine Republic. Now a National Shrine, it was in this
house that the Philippine flag was first unfurled. Guided tours
are offered in the shrine. Open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm, except
Mondays. 2.
IMUS HISTORICAL MARKER - (Town Plaza, Imus). Cavite Province can
justifiably claim to be the birthplace of the nation, as Imus was
the site of the first successful revolution. The Imus Historical
Marker commemorates this event. At the town plaza, the marker can
be found near two vintage artillery pieces situated just across
the Imus Catholic Church and the Imus Municipal Hall. 3.
BATTLE OF ALAPAN MARKER AND FLAG - (Bernardina Salud Elementary
School, Alapan, Imus) The site of this marker is highlighted by
a 90-foot tall flagpole where the Philippine flag waves proudly.
The marker is set atop three large rocks each encrusted with painted
cement. On the center rock is a statue of a woman boldly holding
the Philippine flag. 4.
BATTLE OF JULIAN BRIDGE MARKER - ( Bo. Bayang Luma, Imus) An old
1859 cannon stands as the lone reminder of a battle that took place
long ago between the Spanish and the Filipino forces. The marker
is placed on the cannon while old ammunitions are laid on its concrete
base. The cannon and marker are found near the north side of the
bridge where steps briefly descend to this old emplacement. 5.
CORREGIDOR - (Off Bataan Peninsula). The name Corregidor was derived
from the Spanish word "corregir" meaning to correct or
check. This island served as a checkpoint for vessels entering Manila
Bay during the Spanish and American occupation. It earned the name
Guardian of Manila because of its strategic location at the mouth
of Manila Bay. It is the largest of the five islands guarding the
entrance to Manila Bay. Tadpole-shaped, it lies off the southwestern
tip of the Bataan Peninsula, 26 miles off Manila. It rises about
450 feet above sea level with a land area of three and a half square
miles. During the last Pacific war, Corregidor became a theater
of war between the Japanese Imperial Forces and the combined defenders
of Filipino and American troops, thus its valiant last stand against
the superior invasive forces came to be written in history. Guided
Tours are available. For additional information, please contact:
Corregidor Visitor's Information Center (C-VIC) located at CCP Complex,
Roxas Boulevard, Manila with contact telephone number: (632)834-5048
and the Corregidor Foundation, Inc. (CFI) at 2nd Floor, Room 212,
DOT Building, T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila with contact telephone
numbers: (632)525-3429/525-3420. 6.
HOUSE OF TIRONA -(12 Maestro G. Tirona St., Bo. 4, Imus). The house
belonging to an illustrious Caviteño family is well-maintained
and was restored to its original grandeur. The place has a garden
and a marker set within the lot attesting to notable personalities.
7.
FORT SAN FELIPE - (Sangley Point Naval Base, Cavite City) An old
structure dating back to 1609 when the Spaniards built it to protect
the then growing city. The structure is made of granite blocks with
walls approximately 30 feet high. A wide stairway leads to the top
of the fort where a concrete house structure could be found. Naval
memorabilia including antique cannons and cannon balls decorate
the lawns. 8.
GENERAL ARTEMIO RICARTE MARKER - (Poblacion, General Trias ). In
1896, Gen Ricarte led revolutionists in attacking the Spanish garrison
taking troops and civil guards as prisoners. He fought numerous
other battles and was later captured and deported to Guam. In 1903
he was He was supposed to be released in Manila after they took
their oath of allegiance to the Americans -- Ricarte refused. He
was deported once more to Hong Kong and secretly sailed to the Philippines
in 1903 hoping to reunite and rekindle the Philippine Revolution
but he was denounced for a sum of $10,000, the reward offered by
the American government for his capture dead or alive. He was arrested
and jailed until 1910. He still refused to swear allegiance to the
US and on the same day, he was once more deported to Hong Kong.
He and his wife later moved to Yokohama, Japan where they lived
in self exile. The marker is a pebble wash - out platform encloses
the marker made in tribute to the late Gen. Artemio "El Vibora"
Ricarte. Two lamp posts flank the structure. 9.
ANDRES BONIFACIO HOUSE - (Poblacion, Gen Trias). This is the place
where the country's Father of the Philippine Revolution, Andres
Bonifacio lived. The façade of the house is of red bricks
and adobe. Although renovated several times over, its original Spanish
style has not changed. 10.
GENERAL MARIANO TRIAS MARKER - (Poblacion, Gen. Trias). The marker
is located in front of the house where Gen. Mariano Trias, another
local hero, once stayed, near the town plaza. The marker is built
in white concrete and a solitary lamp post stands directly behind.
The monument to the memory of this person is located elsewhere in
the Poblacion. 11.
HOUSE WHERE BONIFACIO WAS COURT MARTIALED (Poblacion 2, Maragondon).
The place is of old wooden and concrete design and a marker is set
in the middle of the structure. 12.
HOUSE OF GEN. RIEGO DE DIOS - (Poblacion 2, Maragondon). Gen de
Dios became a member of the Katipunan on July 12, 1896. He was among
the first Caviteño to join the revolutionary society. In
October, 1896, he was among the Katipunans who attacked the Spanish
garrison in Lian, Batangas. He was promoted to the rank of Brigadier
General after the triumphant defense of Noveleta in 1896. The old
De Dios residence is made of wood with an architecture dating back
to the bygone era. It is considered one of the country's oldest
houses in the area. NATURAL
ATTRACTIONS 1.
CABAG CAVES - (Poblacion 2, Maragondon). The place is found at the
bottom of the slope, which runs down a steep angle to a brook. Lush
greenery surrounds this little valley below where Cabag Cave is
found. Inside the cave, an underground river runs for 50 meters
inward. A pool of water is formed immediately off the mouth of the
caves, which leads to the brook. HOW
TO GET THERE: The cave is about 3½ km from Silang town proper.
Motor vehicles can access Barangay Luksuhin, then one walks a kilometer-long
trail to reach the site. Jeepneys are available for travel from
Silang Poblacion to the barangay. 2.
MALIBICLIBIC FALLS - (Border of Barangay Lumipa, Gen. Emilio and
Magallanes). A valley borders the Malibiclibic Falls, where boulders
cut across the middle of the gushing river waters cascading from
the falls. At the far end of the river is the NIA irrigation project.
On the other side of the river near the falls is a large pond, which
could be viewed from atop one of the hills of the valley. A large
pool of water forms at the base of the falls while coconut trees,
shrubs and other greenery flank the sides. 3.
BALITE FALLS - (Barangay Halang, Amadeo). Two falls can be seen
in the area, one of which flows naturally, gushing strong clear
water while the other one is outfitted with pipes and bamboo tubes
to aid the flow of water. The Falls converge into a pool of water
with a deep part for adults and a shallow part for children 4.
ULONG TUBIG - (Barangay Ulong Tubig, Carmona). Ulong Tubig is a
pool formed by natural spring water emanating from an adjacent hill.
The pool leads to an irrigation pump, which supplies a vast number
of rice fields in Carmona. The area is shaded by coconut tees and
other greenery. In the morning, the water appears to be very clear.
5.
TAGAYTAY CITY - (Tagaytay City). Tagaytay City is the Philippines
second summer capital, next to Baguio. The access highway offers
a breathtaking sight of the world famous Taal Volcano, a crater
within an island within a lake. Coconut grooves dot the ridges of
Tagaytay and classy accommodations give the visiting tourist the
pleasures of relaxation and the same time, wide opportunities to
enjoy the magnificent view of Taal. MAN-MADE
ATTRACTIONS 1.
PEOPLE'S PARK ( formerly PALACE IN THE SKY) - (Tagaytay City). Originally
designed to be the Presidential Guest House of former president
Ferdinand E. Marcos, this complex was never completed due to the
public outcry over it's ostentation. It is, now open to the public
as a view deck offering a 360 vantage point of Taal Volcano. 2.
THE FLOWER FARM - (Barangay Guinhawa, Tagaytay City). Manila Address:
Unit No. 16 Ground Floor Tropical Palm Condominium, Dela Rosa St.,
Legaspi Village, Makati City. On a windy slope of a hill in Tagaytay
City sprawls a flower farm that keeps Manila abloom whole year round.
The 5-hectare flower farm has many varieties of flowers such as
chrysanthemums with assorted colors gerberas, carnations, roses
and anthuriums. RELIGIOUS
ATTRACTIONS 1.
IMUS CATHEDRAL - (Barangay Imus). The church is an exponent of old
Hispanic architecture and exudes an ambiance conducive to monastic
life and spiritual meditation. The colors of the structure have
darkened with time, nevertheless, one would not fail to notice the
red colored bricks that make up the arches and walls of the place.
Latin inscriptions accentuate the arches of the church. 2.
SILANG CATHOLIC CHURCH - (Silang town proper - adjacent to the Silang
Municipal Hall). The church is large and the altar has intricate
designs. These are the numerous statues of Christ, Mary and the
saints of the Catholic Church ensconced within the altar's multi
- level wooden platforms with stylized carvings. Legend goes that
the church simply miraculously appeared overnight during the Spanish
times. Others claimed that it was created through forced labor instituted
by the Spanish colonizers in 1585. 3.
GENERAL TRIAS CATHOLIC CHURCH - (Poblacion, Gen. Trias - fronting
the town plaza and Municipal Hall). The church altar is decorated
with many ornately - carved statues of religious Catholic saints
and persons set upon a multi-tiered wooden carved platform. The
church dates back to the Spanish period more than 300 years ago.
The altar design is remarkably similar to the Catholic Church. Municipal
Hall) Of the 17th century vintage the Maragondon Catholic Church
was built by the Dominicans friars. It has a large convent made
of different antique woods and bricks. The wooden altar, pulpit
and main portal are finely crafted. One of the main attractions
is the tower which in the olden times, served s a lookout or sign
of enemy intrusion. 5.
OUR LADY OF LA SALETTE SHRINE - (Kilometer 41, Barangay Biga, Silang).
This church was built by the American missionaries of Our Lady of
La Sallete, known to Filipinos as Our Lady of Hope. The shrine is
famous for its unique park theme and giant woodcarvings of the Last
Supper and the Stations of the Cross. Serenity is enhanced with
well-tended pine trees, shrubbery and expansive lawns. An imposing
shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary stands in the middle of a well-trimmed
garden surrounded by flags of different nations where Catholicism
thrives. Retreat houses, chapels, souvenirs shops, and other attractions
make the place interesting not only for cursory visitations but
for spiritual contemplation as well. 6.
ST. ANNE'S SHRINE - (Barangay Sungay, Tagaytay City). The shrine
is a small gardenwhere
the grotto of the Virgin Mary stands. The shrubbery and flowers
are well-trimmed and well-cared for. There is even a small grass
clearing in front of the grotto which is conducive for quiet reflection.
7.
NUESTRA SENORA DE LA SOLEDAD de PORTA VAGA - (San Roque Parish Church,
Cavite City) Reputed to be a relic of Spain, is a painting of the
Virgin Mary framed in carved wood. The relic is said to have been
discovered, beached on the shores between the old Puerto Vaga in
Cavite and Barrio San Roque, during the 18th century. The painting,
presently set in precious gems, is also known as the "Virgin
of a Thousand Miracles" because of many miracles granted to
the faithful devotees from the day of its discovery to the present.
MUSEUMS 1.
AGUINALDO SHRINE 2.
GERONIMO BERENGUER de los REYES JR. FOUNDATION Museum and FINE ARTS
COLLECTION Open
Wednesday thru Saturday 9:00AM -5:00 PM. By appointment only. FESTIVALS 1.
MAYTINIS FESTIVAL, December 24, Location: Kawit, Cavite. This is
the re-enactment cum period-in-song of Saint Joseph's and the Blessed
Virgin's search for a place to stay on that fateful night of Christ's
birth in Bethlehem. A young man and woman knock at every house but
are refused entry. However, in every house they visit, the house
owner afterwards shakes the hand of the choir leader who accompanies
St. Joseph and the "Blessed Mother" and sends them off
with provisions. 2.
WATER FESTIVAL - (St. John the Baptist Festival), June 24 -- This
annual festival features the dousing of water on people along the
streets to commemorate the life and martyrdom of Saint John the
Baptist. SPECIAL
INTEREST: 1.
SIGHTSEEING - Cavite is the perfect destination for travelers wishing
a glimpse of the island's historical, natural and man-made attractions
nearest to the city of Manila. Tours may be completed within a day
without missing any of the place's innate allure. Drive around the
Tagaytay-Taal Ridge to view the spellbinding concert of volcano,
lake and sky through the oftentimes foggy mist. For the religiously
inclined, take a round of monasteries and churches. Take a hop around
historical sites, monuments and culminate in the island of Corregidor.
2.
OUTDOOR SPORTS - Engage in outdoor sports like golf and horseback
riding at Tagaytay City and pony rides for the kids. HOTELS Puerto
Azul Beach Resort
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