Advocatus Diaboli : THROUGH THE LENS CLEARLY, A Glimpse On the Life of General Emilio "Miong" Aguinaldo y Famy

Jaime E. Masagca

Heroes are often shrouded in myths, and by their prominence they become demi-gods in the public’s eyes, completely stripped of their human individuality and character that their flaws or perfections are magnified rather than minified.

In school textbooks they are frequently portrayed as perfect individuals that lived for others, almost saying that saints and historical heroes are made of the same stuff that to write on their mistakes is analogous to sacrilege.

Because of history’s portrayal of heroes society forgets that they too are human, complete with their imperfections and weaknesses.

They are in some ways no different from us, like the Philippine's foremost hero Jose Rizal who kept a pet horse named Alipato (flying embers in Tagalog) and a dog, Usman, which means "faithful companion". Not everyone knows this, except perhaps those who took seriously their readings in grade school.

I had the rare privilege to be invited by General Emilio F. Aguinaldo’s great, great grandnephew, a descendant of the General’s cousin and co-revolutionary General Baldomero Baloy Aguinaldo, from whose lineage also descended former Secretary of Finance Cesar Emilio Aguinaldo Virata of the Marcos era and former Congressman/ current Department of Transportation & Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya, Jr.

With DSLR camera and all, we met Joffet, as our host is fondly called, in Bonifacio Global City for the drive to the hero’s shrine in Kawit Cavite.

As if by play of coincidence we started at a place named in honor of the Supremo to visit the memorial of his nemesis.

A shrine is dedicated to a distinguished man to perpetuate his memory and to serve as an inspiration to the succeeding generations that I have to be appropriately attired in reverence to the man it honors.

Jopet and I share this penchant for history beyond what is written, as well as for Catholic iconography. His knowledge of the Philippine revolution of 1896 is extensive, as detailed as his familiarity with shrine of Philippine independence.

His having practically grown in the Aguinaldo mansion explains for this, and as her mother had been the previous shrine’s curator. He took us to all nook and crannies of the mansion, even pointing to the place where as a child he sulks whenever he is angry with his mother.

It is easier for television hosts to interview great personalities than to face muted relics to comprehend a man’s individuality that but now in the ages lives.

It is said that a nation’s mark of civilization is gauged in its architecture that equally to know a man’s nature, his eccentricities or oddity is to see his dwelling, preferences and personal possessions.

Aguinaldo's mother, Doña Trinidad Famy

Emilio Famy Aguinaldo was born in Kawit (Cavite Viejo) on Good Friday, 23 March 1869 to Carlos Aguinaldo and Trinidad Famy, a Chinese mestizo couple.

The marker by the National Historical Institute

Aguinaldo was a Filipino General in the Philippine revolution of 1896 against Spain. He became the first president of the First Philippine Republic and is credited for having commissioned the Philippine National flag and the Philippine National Anthem composed by Julian Felipe.

Old photograph and portrait of Aguinaldo. In one he is in a military uniform, carrying a native hat and a scythe which we can only speculate what for. Or was it a portrayal of man’s mortality, as in the grim reaper? The other portrays him to be a statesman, judging from the paper and quill pen on a table.

Many have been written and a full length movie was made on the man, focused on his role in the Philippine revolution and his place in Philippine history. But who is Aguinaldo as a man, as an ordinary person unclothed of his rayadillo military uniform or well pressed suit?

This graphic journey attempts to present the Philippine hero as an ordinary man as conveyed by his belongings, though people may have different insights or may simply fail to see beyond.

The Mansion’s dining room with its round dining table that seats 12 persons. It reminds me of King Arthur’s round table.

Philippine Independence from Spain was declared in this balcony on June 12, 1898, Sunday at 4:00 or 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon. The “three stars and sun” was first displayed and the Julian Felipe’s “Marcha Nacional Filipina” was first publicly played.

The post Christmas air was so cool and the place so tranquil. One would try to imagine the euphoric noise on that first independence day.

Many years ago I usually pass this place on my way to Rosario, Cavite (for meetings with the "neo-revolutionaries" against the dictatorial Marcos regime). During that time all vehicular traffic take the road directly infront of the shrine and I always wondered what is inside. I never knew that one day I would be granted access to this historic balcony.

The Independence balcony from the outside. The house used to be an “oversized nipa hut” that had undergone many renovations and additions through the years. But it was on this same spot that Philippine flag was first waved and the “Acta Proclamacion de Independencia del Pueblo Filipino” was read.

The steep climb to the “tower”.

The General’s Office and bedroom at the uppermost floor. The sign says that in his old age climbing to this bedroom served as his exercise.

This library was once the bedroom of his son-in-law, Ambassador Jose P. Melencio, who married daughter Carmen. Even if I am extremely sensitive to dust I wish I had the luxury of time to scan through these books. A man is what he reads.

The main sala or receiving room, with the baby grand piano . Many social functions may have been held here. Our host said that “despididas de soltera” parties of the female Aguinaldo descendants are usually held here.

Conference table near the master’s bedroom.

The General’s Study at his upper bedroom. It was here that the General probably had written his memoirs of the revolution.

One of the Aguinaldo daughters’ bedroom

A ceramic chamber pot under a bed in one of the bedrooms, indicating that those who have lived here are as human as anyone.

Another daughter’s bedroom with an intricate four poster bed .

On both side walls of the boy’s bedroom hang huge sea turtle carapace. Sea turtles may not have been a delicacy during that period as they are allowed to grow this size.

The General’s bedroom adjacent to the sala and round conference table. The General seems to have made the entire house as a memorial to the Philippine flag and to Philippine independence.

A view of the sala and independence balcony from the General’s bed. In his old age the General may have found comfort in his bed to be able still to gaze at the historic balcony and contemplate on past events. The delicately embroidered dress may have belonged to his second wife, Maria Agoncillo.

A steel vault inside Aguinaldo’s bedroom, that seems to have been a repository of important documents rather than cash judging from its internal configuration. This could well hold over ten million peso bills in today’s currency of 1,000 peso denominations.

Inspite of Aguinaldo’s leaning towards Free Masonry as frowned upon by the Catholic church, he had not departed from his faith in the basic Doctrina Christiana as suggested by the altar in his bedroom.

Aguinaldo evidently has that desire to perpetuate the spirit of freedom by transforming his house into a memorial to the flag and the revolution.

Before the introduction of the kitchen refrigerator there was the ice box as with this one found in Aguinaldo’s kitchen.

This is one of a number of lavatories in his home. One may be a urinal, unlike the wall mounted urinals as we know today.

The wood fed stove common during the post American period. My maternal grandfather and his sister used to have in their houses a stove like this, built with bricks and stone with molasses and egg whites as binder. Ordinary cement will not stand the extreme heat, otherwise it will crack.

A silent witness to the revolution. This enormous “kawa” or vat may have been used to cook food for the revolutionary soldiers or guests during the proclamation of the First Philippine Republic. Now it serves as a lotus pond on the north side of the mansion.

Aguinaldo’s favourite fruit is chico, or Sapodilla (Manilkara zapota). Though several sapodilla trees grow on the south lawn, this tree in his backyard is said to be his favourite.

Many do not particularly like this gritty fruit but the General may have loved this for its therapeutic benefits which had been useful in the revolution. It is believed to be “effective for coughs, colds, diarrhea, as diuretic effective removing kidney and bladder stones. ‘A fluid extract from the crushed seeds is used as a sedative and the bark decoction was used as vaginal wash and wash for wounds and skin ulcers (Health and Beauty Pages).”

Aesthetics and practicality of design. Aguinaldo himself designed these foldable wall plant holders, and maximizing wall spaces for display of photographs.

One may wonder if the general, immortalized gallantly with saber drawn while astride his war horse may have actually played ten pin bowling or is a swimming aficionado, with the indoor bowling lane and mini swimming pool in his house. Most of the Philippine Presidents were into golf. Aguinaldo is a rare exception with his bowling.

He seems to be fascinated with “balconahes” or verandas that his mansion has at least four major verandas, excluding the one at the tower which offers a 360 degrees view of the town and Manila. Either that verandas offer relaxation or it is a way of escape or provides “early warning” for would be attackers.

A mezzanine/ library was even designed as a veranda overlooking his living room and dining room. Here, “musicians played for the General’s grand parties”.

This veranda on the south side, next to his daughters’ bedroom, was named by the General as “balkon ng mga makasalanan” or “veranda of sinners” for it is in this place where revolutionaries plan their military strategies.

The fully restored 1924 Packard and its license plate numbers. “1-1896” could have been the fore-runner of today’s personalized or vanity plates. The car was previously on display with other artefacts in Fort Santiago in Manila, and was restored and used in the Centennial Anniversary Celebrations of the Philippine Republic.

This dining table at the “dirty kitchen” provides a escape route for the Katipuneros. Under the heavy table top is the entrance to the tunnel that leads to Kawit’s Catholic church. There are benches and walls that were built for quick hiding.

At the parish church’s side altar is life-size icon of St. Mary Magdalene, Kawit’s Patron Saint. It is in the Saint’s honor that Aguinaldo adopted the nom de guerre “Magdalo”. Tales had it that sometimes shortly after Aguinaldo's death, the general is seen in white suit standing at his upper veranda gazing towards the church.

The black mark on the image’s forehead is not a mole but a bullet mark. During World War II Japanese soldier shot the image, but instead of being shattered the bullet deflected and left this mark.

In the church are relics of the Saint that include a stone from the sarcophagus where the saint is buried.

In Bikol vernacular this shiny shard stone that is said to grow in size, is called “la-git na gapo”. Sleeping outdoors during hostilities is uncomfortable enough, but I cannot imagine spending the night with a stone as a pillow. Does this serve as a talisman or to keep him half awake?

A replica of the General’s sword, the original was made by Brigadier General Jose Ignacio Pawa.

Heroes have grown more than life-size in history books. But like Dr. Jose P. Rizal, the nation’s foremost hero, Emilio F. Aguinaldo is apparently barely five (5) feet tall in this Rayadillo military uniform and size 6 boots.

History and generations has aptly judged our heroes and exposed their frailties and Aguinaldo has not been spared. He was marked as a “traitor” for having orchestrated the execution of KKK Supremo Andres Bonifacio y de Castro and his brother Procopio through a kangaroo court trial, and perhaps the murder of hot tempered Antonio Luna; a collaborator in the Japanese occupation , probably the reason why he lost to Manuel L. Quezon in the bid for the Philippine Presidency in 1935. But who would symphatize with the Americans who snatched independence from the Filipinos?

Amidst all these negativisms General Emilio Famy Aguinaldo had contributed much to the Philippine history and in Philippine Independence. As I stood in silence in the historic balcony a question lingered in my mind, what would it be if Aguinaldo never existed? Would the course of history been better off solely with Bonifacio’s “Kataas-taasan, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng̃ mg̃á Anak ng̃ Bayan”(KKK) or the Magdiwang faction of the revolution?

Would not the Magdiwang faction also follow the unpopular path of Aguinaldo? It should never be ignored that a man’s action may not always be dictated by reason but by contemporary politics and the call for survival. Man cannot always be a hero and martyr at the same time nor a martyr and a hero altogether.

We cannot judge them who shaped the destiny of our nation, and who are we to judge as only them who now lives in the pages of history can rationalize the wisdom of their actions then. But for me El Presidente deserves my salute as a hero and as the First President of the First Philippine Republic.

"I saw my own soldiers die without affecting future events."

– Emilio Aguinaldo

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Our host and guide, John “Joffet” Bautista Mojica, a scion of the Aguinaldo and Bautista Clans. To him we are ever grateful for his hospitality and privileges extended. Without him I would not be able to share these human insights on El Presidente.

Appreciation is also extended to Kirk Benedict M. Corvera of Wells Fargo for being our alternate photographer, and Mr. J Mortola Hidalgo for driving us around.

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