Visiting the historical town of Kawit will give the tourists a good glimpse of Cavite’s history during the Spanish colonial period, the revolution, until the proclamation of independence.

Formerly known as “Cavite El Viejo.” Kawit is famous as the birthplace of Emilio Aguinaldo, the “first president of the Republic of the Philippines.” Like the province name’s genealogy, Kawit is also derived from the Tagalog word kawit (hook) which is suggestive of its location at the base of a hookshaped shoreline along Manila Bay extending to the tip of Cavite City. Kawit was the most thriving settlement prior to the coming of the Spaniards. In fact, it provided the first anchorage of the Spaniards in the province, whence colonization and proselytization of the Christian religion began, spreading to all.

Legend, however, gives another version on how the town got its name. One day a Spanish visitor asked a native blacksmith about the name of the village. The latter was busy at the time pounding on the anvil a piece of hot metal that looked like a hook. He hesitated to speak, not understanding what the stranger was asking, but when pressed for an answer, and thinking that he wanted to know what he was doing, he merely said kawit (hook). The Spaniards left muttering the word kawit. In the course of the time the word kawit evolved into "cawite," and finally “cavite,” there being no "K" in the Castillan alphabet, then changing "w" to "v" so as to conform to their accentuation.

Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum
Reaching this historical landmark is easy. By car, take Quirino Avenue; or the Southern Luzon Highway, exit at Sucat to pass Las Piñas and Zapote. Travel time is 1 to 1 ½ hours from Manila.

The Aguinaldo Shrine was the birthplace and home of President Emilio Aguinaldo. This house/shrine/museum has remarkable furnishings. The ceiling of the dining room has a bas relief map of the Philippines, with Cavite painted red to symbolize the province's resistance. The balcony was where independence from Spain was declared June 12, 1898; at the same time the Philippine flag was raised and the national anthem was played, both for the first time.

This building is actually a mansion renaissance architecture, combining baroque, romanesque and Malayan influences. The property has an indoor swimming pool, a big yard, (the Chico Tree Aguinaldo planted is still there) and spacious receiving, dining and bed rooms, complete with hidden compartments to hide important documents and weapons and secret passages to escape into during emergencies.

President Aguinaldo, himself donated the mansion & the lot to the Philippine Government on June 12, 1963 "to perpetuate the spirit of the Philippine Revolution of 1896 that put an end to Spanish colonization of the country." And by virtue of Republic Act No. 4039 dated June 18,1964 issued by then Pres. Diosdado Macapagal, the Aguinaldo mansion was declared a national shrine.

In the garden behind the house is a Marble Tomb where Aguinaldo rests. The Aguinaldo Shrine, open from 8am to 5pm daily, except Mondays, is well worth a visit. There is no entrance fee but visitors may make a donation.

Church of St. Mary Magdalene
A few meters away is the towering Church of St. Mary Magdalene, also a historical landmark in the vicinity of Kawit. This church was erected in 1638 by six Filipino families hailing from the towns of Maragondon and Silang. The cornerstones were built in 1737 but devastated by a strong typhoon in 1831. It was handled by the Secular priests in 1786 and then by the Recolletos in 1894.

Tourists may find it unusual that Kawit’s patron saint is Mary Magdalene being a controversial figure in the Holy Scriptures. But there is a historical explanation for that. This church acts a reminder of a place called by the Spaniards “Cavite el Viejo” or Old Cavite to distinguish it from “Cavite la Punta” or “Cavite el Puerto,” the commercial port and naval base (now Cavite City) whence came many Spanish marines on shore leave who made frequent visits to Cavite el Viejo, eventually turning it into a “red light district.” The bad reputation of the place, however, was completely wiped out when it was placed under the spiritual supervision of the Jesuits by placing St. Mary Magdalene as Patron saint of the town.

It was also in this church where President Aguinaldo was baptized. In fact, there exists a long tunnel between the church and Aguinaldo’s house (about 300 meters away). This tunnel has been closed due to the construction of roads and commercial establishments in the area. Legend has it that Aguinaldo’s men constructed massive network of underground tunnels emanating from his house to various places like the Tejeros Convention area to protect the revolutionaries from the Spanish authorities.

The 400-year old church was renovated and given a traditional face lift in 1990 through the concerted efforts of the people of Kawit.