The Focus Study

A. Bonifacio Trial House

 I. Historical Significance

               

The Cry of Pugadlawin that happened on August 23, 1896 is well-known in history as the start of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Later that year, it was proposed that a new government be established to unite the Katipuneros under a single leadership and to prevent the conflict between the two groups, the Magdalo and the Magdiwang.

                

The election was held on March 22, 1897 at the Tejeros Convention where they had agreed to establish a revolutionary government. Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as their president. The convention would have ended without a problem if not for Daniel Tirona who questioned the election of Andres Bonifacio as the Director of Interior. Tirona argued that the position required a lawyer. Bonifacio, who felt insulted, declared the election null and void.

                 

When Aguinaldo learned about the Naic declaration, he ordered to arrest Bonifacio and his men at Limbon, Indang, Cavite. As the arresting officers caught up with them, Bonifacio’s group fought back. Bonifacio and Procopio were wounded. His other brother, Ciriaco, was killed during the encounter.

                  

A Council of War was formed to try the case of the Bonifacio brothers. This trial that happened in Maragondon, Cavite lasted for a week from April 29 to May 4, 1897. Though there was not enough evidence against Bonifacio and his brother, they were found guilty of treason and sedition and were sentenced to death.

                 

II. Trial House Today

The Bonifacio Trial House can be found in Maragondon, Cavite. It is one of our National Historical Landmarks and it was fixed and improved in the time of President Joseph Ejercito Estrada. This house was originally owned by Teodorico Reyes in 1889.

The house where Andres and Procopio Bonifacio were trialled was preserved to honor their courage and love for their mother country. Its centerpiece is a life-size diorama recreating the trial scene. You can also see here the evolution of the flags of the Katipunan group and the Tagalog translation of "Mi Ultimo Adios" of Jose Rizal. Bonifacio translated it which shows that he is intelligent even though he came from a lower class family.

Art pieces like paintings and poems were dedicated to Bonifacio as thanksgiving to the heroism and bravery of our hero who courageously fought the colonizers to achieve independence.

The trial house is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The curator of the house is Mrs. Estela B. Asis.

III. What it needs to improve?

B. Pico de Loro

                

I. Historical Relation

Centuries ago, the Spaniards aboard their galleons to Manila Bay and noticed the form of a giant parrot perched in the forested mountains in Cavite. They named it “Pico de Loro – Parrot’s Beak”. The peak’s rock outcropping is dramatic and sharply contrasts the plains of Cavite and waters of South China Sea.

II. What is Pico de Loro nowadays?

Today, Pico de Loro is a part of protected forest in Maragondon, Cavite reserve of Mt. Palay-Palay/Mataas na Gulod National Park. At 664 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in the province of Cavite. Many hikers often climb this mountain to explore its magnificent and spectacular views from the summit. On your way to the peak, you will be able to see its lush forest cover and exotic plants and animals.


Pico de Loro is a very popular getaway. It is always packed with hikers especially on weekends and summer vacations. It's an awesome 360 degree panorama of indented coves and beaches, mountain ranges and thick forest covering.

It has one base camp and one waterfalls. The waterfall is near the campsite after the nipa hut at the first base camp - a short 3 minute-walk off the main trail. They are best visited during the rainy season. The registration fee at the DENR is 20 pesos per head.

III. Environmental Alert!!!

                 

Pico de Loro is tagged as one of the mountains of environmental concern in Pinoy Mountaineer for mismanagement of garbages and undisciplined climbing. The bald spots in some area were also a  lot of disappointment considering it is a protected forest park. Hikers are encouraged to police the mountain by reprimanding littering and dirty campsites; cleaning up trails and educating locals about the importance of the mountain’s cleanliness.

There is also a serious threat of ruin because of a land fill that would be built although in Ternate, still this could affect the diverse ecosystem of the heritage site. Another fact is the continuous quarry that destroys not only the mountains but also threatens the lives of people living nearby.

  

C. Bonifacio Shrine (Mt. Nagpatong)

I. In Relation to History...

It is very historical because this is where the Bonifacio brothers, Andres and Procopio, were shot and killed. On May 10, 1897, Major Lazaro Makapagal led the firing squad of the two brothers. They were sentenced to death because of being guilty in treason and sedition even though there are no enough evidence.

II. As of now...

                

 It was built to showcase selected period of Andres Bonifacio’s biography, which represent the events and personalities involved in molding our history. It has a relief sculpture covering a great wall showing the Filipino revolution against the colonization of the Spaniards. The shrine is situated at Mt. Nagpatong.

III. Main Problems they Encounter

One of the main problems they encounter in this place is its lack of water and another is the the lack of electricity in the place. To make this place better, they should have souvenir shop for the tourists and food stalls on it.

D. Our Lady of Assumption Parish Church

I. What is its significance in the Philippine History?

This historical church can be found in Maragondon, Cavite and its town’s patron saint is Nuestra Seňora Maria Asuncion (Our Lady of the Assumption). The church was founded in the early 18^th century (1618), in the time of the Spaniards, by the Jesuits, with later additions by the seculars, Augustinian and Recollects. It became a parochial church in the year of 1627. The church was then fixed and improved in the years of 1630-1633.     

The church was used as a base (tanggulan) by General Emilio Aguinaldo during the revolution when his main base is in Maragondon, Cavite. Bonifacio and his brother were imprisoned in its convent prior to their execution.  Bonifacio’s cell is now a prayer room.  

II. Today the church is... 

This historical place became a regular church were masses and other religious activities were held. You can still see there the church's ornate interior which has intricately carved retablos and pulpit, antique doors with intricately carved galleons, castle turrets and sinuous flora. Much of the church, the lower portion of large convent and the old watchtower were built with irregular river stones, an indication of the early level of technology at that time. 

Bonifacio's cell is now a prayer room. A part of the church became a Catholic school, the Maragondon Parochial School.

III. Rooms for Improvement

     
Parish Church was known for its great doors rich with galleon carvings. However, only few visit the said church because it lacks advertisements and infomercials that will promote the significance of the church in the Philippine history. History enclosed within the walls of the church was not prioritized for there are no recognitions and honor given to it.
         

E. Riego de Dios: Ancestral House

I. Historical Connection

                               

When the revolution started, Emiliano Riego de Dios together with his two brothers, Vicente and Mariano, joined the KKK or Katipunan. During the election, he was elected as the Secretary of War of the revolutionary government done at the Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897. When General Emilio Aguinaldo established a second revolutionary government, he was appointed to be the politico-military governor of the province of Cavite.

                

When the war between Philippines and America broke out, he was named as the vice president of the diplomatic mission under the leadership of Felipe Agoncillo. He also became the head of HongKong Junta. When peace was restored in our country, he served as a secretary-general of Asociacion de las Veteranos de la Revolucion.

II. Recently...

                

The wooden ancestral house that was originally owned by General Riego de Dios is situated at Brgy. Poblacion 2. It is one of the oldest houses in the area. Its old structures show that it is made during the Spanish period. Right now, the house was owned by a private family.

III. Suggestions

It must have been better if the Riego de Dios: Ancestral house has been opened for public viewing for them to understand the Philippine history better and clearly. If it has been open to the public, we could have honor the generals who originally own this house.