As early as the 16th century, Cavite already became a battleground. Known to few, it was attacked by the Dutch in 1647, and was succeeded by the British invasion in 1762.
However, 1872 was considered to be the turning point in the development and growth of Filipino nationalism. Primarily, it was the execution site of the three martyr priests that inflamed the desire of Cavitenos to join the revolutionary groups from other provinces in order to get rid of the colonial masters. This led Cavite to be a major forerunner of the struggle, the first to rise in arms in 1896.
From then on, Cavite became the seedbed of revolutionary leaders like Emilio Aguinaldo, Ladislao Diwa, Riego de Dios brothers, Mariano Trias and Andres Bonifacio who played an enigmatic role in the revolution.
Not to slip away from every Filipino's memory was the declaration of Philippine Independence in 1898 in Kawit, Cavite. This even coincided with the landing of U.S. expeditionary force in the province. U.S. fleet seized Sangley Point to be its chief naval base in Asian waters.
These are merely few recounts of the country's historical memento which highlighted the province's past and uniquely intensified its prominent place in the nation's memoir.
Experience the twilight and the dawning of the province beleaguered by blood, tears as well as the flowers of scourge into its culture.
The Mabuhay Guides currently offers church pilgrimages of the historic shrines of Cavite as well as the colonial churches of Laguna, Bulacan and Manila.