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Kawit Town, Cavite Province, Region IV, Philippines
The town of Kawit was known as Cavite El Viejo during the Spanish regime. It was here that the conquistadores began their campaign to colonize the province.
During the early days of Spanish rule, Cavite City, Noveleta and Imus were barrios of Kawit.
How the town received its name is still a subject of speculation, although it is simple suggested by its location at the base of a hook-shaped shoreline along Manila Bay extending up to the western tip of what is now called Cavite City. because of this geographical oddity, the town was named Kawit - a Tagalog translation of "hook."
This town, 23 km from the center of Manila, has a long-established Chinese presence. During the late 16th century, Chinese merchant exchanged porcelain, silk, and tea here for silver coins brought by galleon from Acapulco. Aguinaldo himself was part Chinese. The mansion (1849) birthplace and home of this revolutionary hero and president of the short-live First Philippine Republic is now the Aguinaldo Shrine. Its balcony, from which Independence from Spain was declared, is depicted on the P2 bill. That event was accompanied by the raising of the Philippine flag and playing of the national anthem, each for the first time. Today, the shrine houses a museum displaying Aguinaldo's personal memorabilia, historical relics and weapons, some fine furniture, and decorated ceilings. The dining room ceiling features a map of the Philippines, with Cavite painted red to symbolize war. Aguinaldo's marble tomb is in the garden behind the house. Buses going to Cavite, Tanza and Naic pass the shrine. The old municipal building of Kawit was attacked by revolutionary forces lead by Aguinaldo in 1896. Kawit is also noted for its Santo Entierro procession, marking Christ's burial on Good Friday and Maytinis, a street reenactment of Joseph and Mary's search for shelter, on Christmas Eve.
According to source:
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LIFTED FROM PHILIPPINES: VACATION - TRAVEL
© COPYRIGHT 1998 ROGER SANTOS
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