3rd Advocate of Heritage Preservation Cavite Heritage Tour and Food Trip : CAVITE CITY

Cavite City is known as one of the oldest historical city in the Philippines.  It is the home of many heroes who contributed in the colorful history of our country.

Never expected there will be a Cavite City tour someday so I was excited when I found out because finally I will be able to take photos particularly of Sangley Point and Fort San Felipe PN. I tried Fort San Felipe two years ago but they strictly do not allow photos inside. Me and my two friends were just allowed to roam around so I ended looking at spots I wish I could have taken photos to make a blog feature. Now the moment has finally arrived with the AHP tour. Not only the two places plus other known city places too around the City with a taste of Caviteñean foods - WOW !!!

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. 

The 3rd AHP Cavite Tour was held last February 24, 2018 in Cavite City.

Registration on the tour day was held at the first stopover - St. Peter Church in Caridad

Mr. Ige Ramos starting the tour proper. I will always admire his passion to make Cavite known especially in the culinary world.

St. Peter Church

The original Saint Peter Parish popularly known then as the Parish of Cavite el Puerto was established in 1586 and completed in 1591. It was located then in San Pedro St in the old Port City of Cavite (now called PN). The parish ministers the needs of the devotees of Nuestra Senora Soledad de Porta Vaga from 1941-1945. 

During the World War II, the church was completely destroyed. In 1945-1965, the Saint Peter Parish was non existent until it was revived through the efforts of Bishop Felix Perez and the then Parish Priest of San Roque, Monsignor Pedro Lerena. However, the parish was relocated to Caridad. Today’s San Pedro Apostol Paris was built in 1984-1986 under the artistic direction of then parish priest, Rev. Fr. Isagani Avinante.

The welcoming wall at the front entrance where baptisms were held before in that huge shell bowl.

The Altar with huge portrait of Jesus giving St. Peter the key.

Belltower of the San Pedro Apostol church.

There are invited purveyors selling Cavite food products

Baloy's Ensaimada De Cavite

Mr. Baloy of Baloy's Ensaimada and Mr. Arnel of the former Tony's Bakery now Roadside's Burger

Tony's Bakery Pandesal and its free

Pianono

How I miss pianono since we use to buy it always and the kabayan when Tony's Bakery was still existent near San Roque Church as meryenda.

Cafe Amadeo - free coffee

Mr. Gutierrez of D' Famous Imus Longganisa

D' Famous Imus Longganisa
Free Taste - the best longganisa !!!
Lean, garlicky and not too sweet as for my taste.

Other products of Big Ben's Kitchen and do not forget their yummy sukang sasa. Must Try !!!

The famous Tamales of Robinson family

Robinson Tamales

 Quesillo

It was the last piece of Nanay - sold out!

Ladislao Diwa Shrine and Heritage House

Don Ladislao Diwa is well remembered as the co-founder of the KKK. The National Historical Institute declared the ancestral home as national shrine. On November 30, 1996 his mortal remains were transferred to the Ladislao Diwa Mausoleum on the grounds of the Shrine.

We were not able to go inside the house  since the owner was not there only the caretaker.

Some displayed framed photos and certificates near the house main entrance door.

 I just took a snapshot photo in the screen window what the sala inside looks like.

The Mausoleum at the back of the shrine where his lies remains.

Mercado de Ciudad de Cavite

We arrived at Cavite City Public Market during the peak palengke hour so there are lots of people. Since Cavite City is surrounded by water thus our location makes it a prime source for fresh fishes and seafood.

One of the many Fresh Fishes

 Crablets and Alupihang Dagat or Samba

Malabanos

Crabs

Nanay seafood seller

And since I never went to fish section honestly its only now that I found out that lobsters are being sold too in the city market - Wow !

LaoLao

This is so tempting to buy and cook. Maybe on my next palengke visit.

More Malabanos

Another tempting buy since it's been ages since the last time I made this sdobo dish.

Ate is asking if I will buy Malabanos since she has female hidden. Female malabanos has less tinik. And kuya na ang kulit at gusto talaga magpa picture 😂

Fresh Kuhol and another type of Mussels

Dried Fishes

More variety of Dried Fishes

Bacalao 

Bigger Bacalao

Bacalao is traditionally cooked lenten dish in the city but it can be made whole year round since it is sold and readily available.

Tuyo

More dried fishes

According to the vendor this flat and long variety is yummy

Variety of Patis and Bagoong

More Bagoong

Fresh Vegetables

Nanay and her snacks for sale.

According to Nanay this is not the first time Sir Ige brought people in the market. She was also invited at the St. Peter church but it would be difficult for her to travel her goods.

Pancit, Puto, Kalamay,  Nilupak, Kutsinta, Empanada, Miki, Bagoong

More types of Bagoong

Lechon Paksiw

I came across this stall. Few years ago it dm-ed me and nakita ko na rin sa wakas. I thought afternoon ang set-up. Sorry kuya bat nga ba di kita sinama sa photo. The lechon paksiw sells at P50 per balot.

Carioca and Miki Vendor

You can always find ate in the middle of the market happily carrying her bilao of carioca and miki daily in the morning. Her carioca is one of my all time favorite snack.

Carioca

Miki

More native snacks

 
 Aling Ika's Carinderia

There are other carinderia but this carinderia is the most popular because of the famous bibingkoy which had become one of Cavite City’s trademark food. If you are a full blooded Caviteño it is impossible you had not eaten or known Aling Ika's food. 

This carinderia dates back to pre-war days and Aling Ika is no longer the running and selling but her family members who continued the best loved Caviteñean dishes and serving more memories alive up to this day.

Aside from bibingkoy let me feature one of the carinderia’s best seller…

Tortang Alimasag or Crab Omelet

A bit pricey and small in serving but contains generous amount of shredded crabs in every bite. Worth it !!!

Bibingkoy - most popular Cavite City food

Bibingkoy is a mocha like delicacy topped with  creamy rich ginataan, langka (jackfruit) and tiny sago balls. Since Bibingkoy was already featured in one of my early blog entry and has been featured several times I left the stall early for the other AHP members who travelled from far places to savor and took photos there.

Other food stuff they sell with the ginataan sauce

This ube is also one of my all time fave.

TIP: Aling Ika’s serves food daily until it last. Normally it runs out before noon so if you want to eat and savor best to get there early in the morning when the food choices is still complete. 

Since it's past peak dining hours for the carinderia when we arrive, the ulam (viands) in the are nearly depleted. 

Lumpia wrapper making stall

 Close up shot of ot griddles where the lumpia batter is being cooked.  

  

On our way out of the market this catched my attention

Love Birds for sale

Nothing like a visit to the public market to get a feel and sense of the place and its people. 


San Roque Church 

San Roque lies at the southern part of what was once known as the walled city of Cavite. When the Spaniards came in 1571, they founded the place forested and swampy. Its location was very strategic for trade since it was surrounded by water. 

 350 Years old Virgen de Porta Vaga

The Nuestra Señora dela Soledad de Porta Vaga, Reina de Cavite or La Virgen de la Soledad, is the beloved patroness of Cavite City. Reputed to be a relic received from Spain, it is a painting of the Virgin Mary framed in carved wood. It is said that the icon was beached and discovered on the shores between the old Puerto Vaga and Barrio San Roque in Cavite City during the 18th century. The painting, presently set with precious gems is also known as the “Virgin of a Thousand Miracles” because of the many miracles granted to faithful devotees. 

The Blessed Virgin Mary is depicted as Our Lady of Sorrows. Mary, garbed in black and white attire, seems to be on her knees as she contemplates the Passion of her Son, Jesus. Before her are the crown of thorns and the nails, the instrument of Christ's crucifixion.

The painting is set with gold and silver accouterments and precious gems, which are votive offering from her devotees. An inscription found at the back of the painting says: “On April 12, 1692, Juan Oliba placed this most holy image here." The most venerated icon of La Virgen de la Soledad de Porta Vaga is an invaluable treasure inherited by the Caviteños from their ancestors, and is the oldest extant dated Marian painting in the Philippines.

In 1892 Don Julian Felipe, the Philippine National Anthem composer, composed the hymn "REINA de CAVITE", on the occasion of her fiesta in which Caviteños celebrate it every second Sunday in the month of November, and for the opening of the Exposicion Regional Caviteña. The lyric of the hymn was taken from the poem Himmo a la Virgen de Cavite written by Fr. Tomas de Andrade, the rector of the Jesuit College of Cavite sometime in 1689.

Fr. Medina giving a little history about the church.

HIstory of San Roque was also told.

Old Church replica

LUNCH TIME @ Tita A's Food Choices



This is a small food shop in the city by the owner of Bautista Hospital selling authentic Caviteñean cuisines. They have a huge outdoor area in the house that was enough to accommodate us the attendees. We were around 120 people.

I was too excited and the owner was kind enough to allow me to raid the kitchen area :)

Gulaman, Sago and Chinchao at the kitchen without arnibal and ice yet.

Ube Haleya that still has no ginataan sauce

Here are the traditional Caviteñean trio lunch we savored...

Adobo Seca/Adobong Pula

Kilawin

Kare-Kare

Bagoong with Crushed Chicharon

The traditional selling and serving of rice before is wrapped in banana leaves like this
called - BUGONG

Sago't Gulaman at Chinchao

Ube Haleya with Coconut Cream Sauce and Langka

Yummy lunch and chat with all this wonderful people passionate about history.

Tita A's also sold pancit pusit, kare-kare and other dishes in containers for the attendees who wants to savor and bring home Caviteñean food.

Monument of 13 Martyrs

Cavite's 13 martyrs comprised of members of the Katipunan, Freemasonry, sons of wealthy families, entrepreneurs, and learned individuals who conspired with the secret society of the Katipunan against Spain in 1896. When Spanish authorities learned about their ploy, the 13 Caviteños were imprisoned and later taken to Plaza de Armas in Cavite City and killed.. The capital of Cavite back then was renamed in their memory, while the capital's 13 barangays were renamed after each martyr. 

The Monument of Thirteen Martyrs was erected at the San Roque district of Cavite City, at the head of then San Roque causeway in 1906. The families re interred the remains of their loved ones at the foot of the monument on that day. This monument is located at the intersection of Lopez Jaena Rd, Zulueta Rd and the P. Burgos Ave. It is a reminder of the lives these martyrs paid for the liberty Filipinos have today.

Samonte Park

Samonte Park was established and created during the American period.  This is the only city park witness to the colorful history and past. The park had undergone different changes over the years.

Newly excavated ruins of Sta. Monica church that was just left near the foot of the monument *sighs*

Statue of Jose Rizal

Its saddening to see the park that use to be covered with green grasses looking merely like a desert of sand.

I find the park bench chair design odd and a waste of budget. Ayaw ba nila magpa-upo? Its not even kid nor senior friendly. The old cemented benches are way better that this new design.

At the back of the huge clock is the new Cavite City Hall currently under construction. I will miss the old building since the new one is too modernized in design.

Newly constructed Replica of Ermita de Porta Vaga near the park's basketball court.

Newly excavated ship parts from the construction of the new Dra.Salamanca hospital.

I do not understand why they left it in sun and rain in the park. It will just be rotten *sighs*

Belfry Ruins of Sta Monica Church

Santa Monica Church Belfry is the sole surviving part of one of the numerous Spanish era churches in Cavite City. Santa Monica Church was built in the early years of the 17th century under the Recollects. The city port was at the peak of its economic and religious success at that time. There are as many as eight different churches from different religious orders in the city.

The sad part is it was left to be surrounded by low cost housing that is almost glued to its base structure.

Even I live in this city all my life, this is the first time I have seen this tower personally.

Fort San Felipe PN

Fort San Felipe is an old structure dating back to 1609 when the Spaniards built it to to protect part of the then growing city. The structure is made of granite blocks with walls approximately 30 feet high.

Up close with cannons

The museum proper

There's a tunnel !!! But according to the tour guide the excavation was stopped since it depends if the new admin is passionate about history and preservation of it.

Old Actual Facsimile of the original documents of Filipino implicated in the Cavite Mutiny

Inside the 2nd floor museum

Mannequins of military uniforms

Window view at the 2nd floor museum

Top view outside the 2nd floor where the battle of Manila bay occurred

Kalikasan Park fronting the museum

Cannons

This is an original chimney

If there is one thing I was excited about aside from taking photos of the museum, its seeing a navy ship up close like the ones I saw on IG. Sadly it needs another letter and was not included according to Mam Bel. Nevertheless I was happy with the Fort San Felipe photos I was able to take.  

Sangley Point

Naval Station Sangley Point was a communication and hospital facility of the United States Navy which occupied the northern portion of the Cavite City peninsula and is surrounded by Manila Bay, approximately eight miles southwest of Manila. Sangley Point was also used extensively during the Vietnam War primarily for US Navy Patrol squadrons forward deployed from United States on six months rotations. The naval station was turned over to the Philippine government in 1971. It s now operated by the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy.

Inside Sangley we went to Tora Tora Country which was former venue of military gatherings but was now transformed to a museum of aircrafts.

A video presentation was shown regarding the history and contribution of Sangley in protecting the Philippines.

Wow ! Cool !

First time seeing helicopters and planes up close kaya pati elisi at gulong nilubos ko na hahaha.

The runway

And that ends our Sangley Point trip which by the way is already named Danilo Atienza Air Base but still everyone in the city calls it Sangley.

Maybe this will be the last time we will be seeing Sangley as it is. There is an on going rumors for years it will be develop to an international airport. As days passes, its becoming more and more louder and clearer like today in the news, Mr. Henry Sy and Mr. Wilson Tieng already submitted a bid of $12 billion. If materialized in a few years Cavite City will no longer be the same again.  

Julian Felipe Monument

Our last stop.

Julian Felipe was the composer of the music of the Philippine national anthem, formerly known as Marcha Nacional Filipina now known as Lupang Hinirang. When the revolution broke out, Felipe joined his fellow Caviteñnos who fought against the Spaniards. He was arrested and jailed at Fort San Felipe in Cavite. When freed again joined Emilio Aguinaldo's troops, he composed nationalistic songs that inspired his compatriots to continue fighting against the Spaniards. A bust of Felipe can be found in Cavite City, located near San Sebastian College Recoletos de Cavite.

I pass by this area daily but this is the very first time I took a photo of the monument. It has been long in my pending blog feature list and that is why I always look forward to events like this.

The whole itinerary of the 3rd AHP Tour are places where I grew up all my life. It was my first time to be in Ladislao Diwa Shrine and Sta.Monica Church to see both up close. I am happy to learn the big significance and importance of Cavite City in Philippine history. This tour is the culmination of my long time dream of learning more about the history of Cavite City. History which is another main purpose why this blog was created aside from Cavite foods.

The Cavite City tour was organized and coordinated by Esquierdo Bhel Asinas and Ige Ramos. Thank you Sir Ige, Mam Bel and AHP for turning one of this blog's long time dream to reality. Thank you Tita A's Food Choices for the yummy authentic Caviteñean lunch. Thank you Sir Pangilinan and Dr. Diaz for the ride and historical informations. Thank you AHP family 😊

Mabuhay ang Cavite City at Pagkaing Caviteño !!!