It still really is necessary to look back to the past to know where you are headed in the future. In this activity, I went into several historical places to distinguish what happened before and what it is now.
Biak-na-Bato is a historical as well as a beautiful attraction. The Balaong River flows through this mountain gorge, winding through caves and past several sites of historical significance, including ruins of stone fortifications.
As I explore Biak-na-Bato at the foot of Sierra Madre, it’s almost impossible not to imagine the revolutionary forces hiding out here. This beautiful location is where the freedom fighters made their headquarters. This is the place where Biak-na-Bato Republic was first established. Kuya Tolits, a tour guide, narrates to me the different caves and historical events that happened here. We didn’t enter some caves because the mud is really sticky and slippery. Though I’m already muddy, I still walked through the mud without slippers, and it’s funny because in every step I take, I’m slipping. Despite of that, I still continue and explore the different caves in Biak na Bato.
AGUINALDO'S HEADQUARTERS. Aquinaldo Cave is one of the park’s most interesting geological formations, and it is also a legendary historic site. You’ll enter the cave from an opening above the shores of an underground river.
A short boat ride on the river carries you to a cavern adorned with stalactites. At the center of the cavern, a large block of marble juts out of the water. It is said this is the table on which General Emilio Aguinaldo signed the historic peace treaty.
TAMBAYAN CAVE. This is where the Katipuneros spend their time to rest.
BAHAY PANIKI CAVE. This one of the most impressive caves you’ll see. The mouth of this tall, expansive cave is gigantic. Look closely, and you’ll notice fruit bats lining the ceiling of this incredible cave. Bahay Paniki actually means House of Bats. Although disturbing the bats with flashlights or camera flashes is not permitted, you can watch their dramatic flight from the cave. This is also known as the second base of the Katipuneros.
AMBUSH CAVE. This is where the Katipuneros locate the Spaniards. They do this by tricking them and they will be trapped here and will be assassinated.
HOSPITAL CAVE. Since there is no technology before, the medicine used was halamang gamot. Inside here, I saw the bones of a human.
DEAD HUMAN BONES
There are so-called, stalactites and stalacmites. The stalactites is a sensitive stone, once you touch it, it will dim. It is a stone covering the ground while the stalacmites is located above the ceiling. If they were combined it will be a column and it enclosed the cave. It takes hundred years to make a new one.
STALACTITES STONE
STALACMITES STONE
COLUMN CAVE
STORAGE CAVE. All the foods and weapons were located here. This is their main basement.
TANGGAPAN CAVE. The Katipuneros recuit someone here. New recruits must know the secret passcode. (ANAK NG BAYAN, GOMBURZA, RIZAL) If he didn’t tell the correct password, it’s a spy.
The Balingkupang is also part of Biak na bato. It was called Balingkupang because there’s a huge tree named Kupang and was destroyed by the wind and its primeval time.
Biak na bato then was unknown but since 1998 it was developed. It is the government’s property. The DENR provide this barangay to those informal settlers in a condition that they will clean and maintain the order. People living here do kaingin. They cut trees and plant a new one. They do farming as their source of living.
Going into Malolos, Bulacan, some historical events also happened here, like in Biak na Bato. Beside the church, there is a Museum; it is all about the Barasoain Church, Emilio Aguinaldo, and the life of Filipinos during Spanish era. It was like I have a field trip to tour again here.
HISTORICAL BARASOAIN CHURCH
A national shrine, the historic Barasoain Church is the site of the Constitutional Convention of the first Philippine Republic, making the Philippines the very first Asian Government to promulgate a Constitution. It was the Seat of the First Philippine Republic on Sept. 15, 1898 to the last week of Feb. 1899 under the presidency of Pedro Paterno. In its convent the Universidad Literaria Cientifica de Filipinas was first housed. It also boasts of a light and sound museum under the management of National Historical Institute.
HISTORICAL PLAZA. This is where the American troops entering the public square of Malolos.
AGUINALDO'S MONUMENT
Across the Church into the other end of the courtyard stands a statue of the very first president of the Philippine Republic: Emilio Aguinaldo.
In 1898, he achieved independence of the Philippines from Spain and was elected the first president of the new republic under the Malolos Congress. He also led the Philippine-American War against U.S. resistance to Philippine independence.
PRIEST-SPANIARD COLONIZATION
The legacy of Spanish conquest and colonial rule in the Philippines, as is true of all colonial attempts to 'master' or manage indigenous populations, is mixed. On the one hand, Spanish clergy were very destructive of local religious practices. They systematically destroyed indigenous holy places and 'idols', or statues and representations of indigenous spirits, gods or goddesses. They also tried to stamp out all examples of native scripts and literature for fear that Filipinos were using exotic symbols to foment rebellion. The Spanish also imposed new 'moralities' on Filipinos by discouraging slave holding, polygamy, gambling, and alcohol consumption that were a natural part of the indigenous social and religious practices.
At the same time, Hispanic rule left a legacy of syncretic, rather than totally destructive, elements. Spanish clergy introduced some very European features of Catholic practice that blended well with indigenous ritual practices. Spanish Catholic priests relied on vivid, theatrical presentations of stories of the Bible in order to help Filipinos understand the central messages of Christianity. Today, this colonial legacy lives on whenever Filipino Catholics re-enact through religious dramas the passion of Christ, or Christ's martyrdom, during Holy Week.
MABINI'S MONUMENT
Constitution proposed by Mabini to the Revolutionary Congress in Malolos but was not considered by its leading lights. Mabini’s proposal carried provisions for a strong executive and dwelled on individual political rights. This proposal was rejected because it was too long and run counter to the desire for a stronger legislature.
The Malolos Constitution was the constitution of the First Republic of the Philippines and the first constitution of the Filipino nation. It established the principles of representative government, separation of church and state, and presidential leadership with an elected national assembly as the legislature.
The heritage left by Republic of Filipinas established in Malolos are lessons in the development of the country’s leader representatives and the role played by the people in giving life to the constitution.
Filipinos are still practicing its tradition and they are famous because of these things. They are very good crafters and those talents are not in waste. I’m very delighted that the culture is still in us. With some used of technology, it makes the old tradition, modern tradition.
NATIVE BAMBOO
The bamboo, known locally as kawayan, grows just about anywhere across the country. Its use can range from making houses, fences, bridges, walking sticks, furniture, chopsticks, food steamers, toys, hats, abaci, and various musical instruments. Flooring made of bamboo has become popular throughout the years. Its culms may also be cut and made into vases or tubes, or pipes to transport water or as containers.
PRIMITIVE NIPA HUT
The Bahay Kubo is one of the most illustrative and recognized icons of the Philippines. The name of the primitive Nipa hut is actually based on the Spanish phrase Cubo, meaning cube, probably because of its rectangular appearance and Bahay is the Filipino word for house. By tradition this type of village dwelling is constructed out of organic materials, a perfect example of a totally green structure, a showcase of extreme simplicity and sustainability that has been around for a very long time.
BEAUTIFUL MODERN-CRAFTS
Traditional Crafts Today. Filipinos are well-known in this kind of culture. Traditions are still in our modern society. It never fades. Modern Filipino potters who use traditional as well as modern methods produce a variety of ceramics, from house wares to costume jewelry, which can be bought in craft shops all over the country.
RICE PRODUCTION
Rice is the staple food of Filipinos and very important to the food supply in the country and economy. The country is the 8th largest rice producer in the world, accounting for 2.8% of global rice production.
In this kind of exploration, I have learned a lot. It is moral that I traveled to those places and perceived how the history looked like.
Sources:
- History Museum of the Barasoain
- Kuya Tolits (Tour guide)
- Hector De Leon, Politics and Governance Constitution
- http://www.etravelpilipinas.com/tourism_news/enjoy-natural-and-historic-attractions-at-biak-na-bato-national-park.htm/comment-page-1
- http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/russell/christianity.htm
