Lakbay ng Supremo – A Hero’s Journey : Rosario / Indang / Naic / Maragondon

The 2nd AHP Cavite Tour  was held last October 28, 2017.  AHP or Advocates of Heritage Preservation is an advocacy group which helps create awareness for the protection, preservation and promotion of our cultural, historical, religious and natural heritage.  They conduct monthly heritage tours and this is the 2nd tour for AHP Cavite chapter.

Cavite played an important role in the life of Andres Bonifacio. There are many historical sites in Cavite which represent the major events in the life of Bonifacio and Lakbay ng Supremo tour gives us a glimpse up to the last days of his life.

Registration venue and first stopover for the tour was at Tejeros Convention. 

Casa de Tejeros-Rosario Cavite

History of Tejeros Convention

The two rival factions of the Katipunan, started out as mere Sangguniang Balangay (councils). Andres Bonifacio presided over the founding of both. The Magdiwang was formed in Noveleta, Cavite on April 2, 1896; the Magdalo, in Kawit, Cavite, on April 3, 1896. Due to their rapid growth in membership, the two branches were elevated by the Kataastaasang Sanggunian (Katipunan Supreme Council) to the status of sangguniang bayan (provincial councils), after which the two groups were authorized to form balangays under them and to expand their influence. The rift between the two groups grew when Spanish forces assailed Cavite in the latter part of 1896; the rift grew further after the liberation of Cavite. The two factions began their own regional government with separate leaderships, military units, and “mutually agreed territories.” The rivalry was limited to the province of Cavite and some parts of Batangas because these areas were already liberated and thus revolutionists could freely move and convene. The rift never culminated into violence. At times, the two groups were cordial and fought side by side against their common foe, the Spaniards.

There was a time when I pass this area everyday. Always wondered how it looks like inside. My curiosity was answered in this tour. Finally I was able to roam inside.

One of the most important events in the Philippine revolution is the Tejeros Assembly. It established a central revolutionary government with Emilio Aguinaldo as President and Andres Bonifacio as Director of Interior.  But some events in the convention made Bonifacio to revolt. 

The spacious but not so clean hall.

Each post has a statue of known heroes.

Remains of the old hall.

Underground lagusan escape at the back of the hacienda that lead to the river that Aguinaldo uses. 

It can still be crawled inside but its too malamok.

Top view of the hole of the lagusan to the river

Tejeros Convention is also said to be where  the Armed Forces of the Philippines was founded.

The outside looks beautiful but the inside needs a lot of repairing and huge work of restoration and cleaning. Many parts of the ceiling is highly damaged and are some areas. I hope this convention center can be brought back to its top shape and be made as a main tourist attraction of Rosario.  

Bonifacio Shrine - Limbon Indang

This historical landmark is in a barangay bounding the town of Indang and Amadeo. It's my first time to see this place. I didn't even know there is a shrine where Bonifacio was shot before being captured and brought to his prison in Indang town proper. 

Back view of the statue

The shrine also has a small public park at the lower part back area.

A few meters from the shrine are small stalls selling fruits and vegetables that are very very cheap.

Tempting ube to be bought and cooked haleya.

Indang Municipal Hall

The town of Indang takes a significant part in the Philippine Revolution when Andres Bonifacio was arrested at Barrio Limbon after being defeated in the Tejeros Convention. It was also in Indang when Andres Bonifacio was barred from setting up a separate government and army. 

The halls are now museum displaying the rich history of the province.

Yes they turned this old municipal hall to a museum !!! WOW !   

A few meters from the hall there are sellers of the popular Kalamay Buna.

 Syempre pinag posing ko sila :)

Kalamay Buna is a sweet delicacy of sticky rice, panutsa or brown sugar and coconut milk that is well known in Indang Cavite.

Happy to see its already a cooperative and the packaging has already leveled up.

My other fave kalamay na paliit ng paliit over the years at lalo pang lumiit 

Hay naku! #SignsOfChangingTimes

 St. Gregory Parish Church of Indang

Located in front of the Municipal Hall of Indang. 

The church's historical marker stated that the church was established as a mission station of Father Angelo Armano in 1611 and a separate parish in 1625 under the advocacy of St. Gregory the Great. Even before it became a full pledged parish, the parish has established devotion to St. Francis Xavier. A huge part of the stone church was built during the term of Father Luis Morales from 1672 to 1676 and was finished on 1710. Diocesan priests served the parish starting 1768 and was later transferred to the Dominicans in 1891.

The church beautiful interiors

The kampanaryo or bell tower.

The oldest church bell

Another very old bell

The current bell ringer

The church was burned during the Philippine revolution against the Spaniards. It was restored under the auspices of Msgr. Mauro de Leon in 1953 and Father Cornelio Matanguihan in 1987.

Area at the side of the church with a Blessed Virgin Mary.

There is a separate candle lighting room near the entrance of the church.

Various prayers displayed which one can choose to pray depending on the intention.

It also has a wide array display of saints.

Each candle cost P6

Special mention is the high tech and super clean comfort room among all the public comfort rooms I have seen - this one is to beat.

Also lighted a candle outside the church. 

I was really awed with what I witness in Indang. 

How I wish other provinces and cities especially those with rich history will also have this SO MUCH LOVE in preserving the culture and heritage they have for future generations to appreciate. HATS OFF to the government and people of Indang !!! Mabuhay kayo !!!

Lolo Claro's Restaurant  (Naic Branch)

 Lunch Time

 Always been curious about Lolo Claro's fried chicken and finally...

Indeed the chicken taste like Max since Lolo Claro is the former Max Restaurant cook :)

 Leche Flan for dessert 

Thick and yummy although not purely egg yolk.

Our Lady of Immaculate Church of Naic

The church, constructed during the 1800, was made up of wood and cogon grass. Later additions of the church, such as kopa, a pair of cruets, and ornamentation, were added six years after its initial construction. On 1835, the construction of a new stone church was administered by Don Pedro Florentino. Its construction resulted to influx of people - from 18 barrios, or neighborhood in 1845 to 26 barrios in 1867. It reached up to 54 barrios in 1888.

During the revolutionary period, the church convent of Naic was used as the headquarters of Andres Bonifacio after the Tejeros Convention of March 22, 1897. The Naic conference was held at the church convent. It was in this conference that the old Tagalog letter of the flag was replaced by a "Sun of Liberty" with the symbolic eight rays. The sun was shown with the eyes, a nose and a mouth.

 

There was an ongoing renovation of the church flooring.

Intricate marble designs currently being placed. 

The church altar.

The chandelier

Upper back view of the interior of the church

Lovely fountain at the garden beside the church.

 

Naic Elementary School

Located beside the Naic Church , Naic Elementary School is the former Casa Hacienda de Naic where where Bonifacio stayed after the Tejeros Convention. They held the "Naic Military Agreement" or "Acta de Naic." 

On April 29, 1897, Andres Bonifacio and Procopio Bonifacio were imprisoned here after their capture in Indang.

This is the exact area and old door where the Bonifacio brother's was imprisoned.

Statues inside of the two brothers.

View at the second floor of Naic Elementary School

Here I am again reminiscing. Old wooden capiz windows always reminds me of the old ancestral house I grew up with but now gone. Feeling sentimental LOL 

 At the end area of the school classroom area at the back is this dilapidated ceiling with so many bats flying.

There was a proposal to turn the school into a museum which hopefuly will materialize.

Maragondon Church, The Our Lady Of The Assumption

The Our Lady of the Assumption Parish Church or more commonly known as The Maragondon Church.

 This is one of its kind in the province of Cavite and one of the 26 oldest churches in the Philippines. It is noted for its intricate retablos located at the main altars. It has graced numerous book written on church art especially those written by Regalado Trota Jose, a prominent church art scholar. 

A favorite among its unique features are the impressive doors with very interesting carvings. 

A closer view of the intricate carvings.

 

 The Altar

 The pulpit and the tombstones of the famous parishioners of the town including Father Cenon Villafranca and Don Vicente Somoza. 

  Statue of Jesus outside the church.

Bonifacio Trial House

 We missed the Bonifacio Trial House since we arrived past 4:30 pm and it closes at 4:00 pm :(

Andres Bonifacio Shrine and Eco-Tourism Park

On May 10, 1897, Andres and his brother Procopio were brought to Mt. Nagpatong which is near in Mt. Buntis. They were executed by Col. Lazaro Macapagal and his troops upon orders of General Noriel took command of a firing squad.

 

We arrive late and almost sunset so it was a very very short stay at paspasang picture lang talaga.

I don't understand why they build pools in this area of the park then be left without any maintenance. Who would want to go swimming in a liblib shrine seriously? Sayang ang budget. Sana other structures na lang na of little maintenance and more worthy for keeps. 

It looks like an abandoned fish pond.

Palubog na ang araw when we left and since its a rough dark road pag dumilim we need to be in a hurry for safety.

And thats the end of the Bonifacio heritage tour.

 Lakbay ng Supremo made me appreciate Andres Bonifacio while learning more about the Philippine revolution which I only got to read study in history books during my school days.

Gracias AHP CAVITE !

And thank you Sir Ige Ramos for the ride home and snacks. Our road trip conversation inspired me so much. I can't explain it in words but it means so much. GRACIAS !!!