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The Aguinaldo Shrine is a national shrine of the Republic of the Philippines, located in Kawit, Cavite.[1] The Philippine flag is raised here by top national officials every June 12 to commemorate Araw ng Kalayaan or Independence Day.

History
The shrine is the ancestral home of Emilio Aguinaldo,[2] the first president of the First Republic of the Philippines, and it was here that Philippine independence from Spain was proclaimed from a window of the home on June 12, 1898. The proclamation of Philippine Independence was read, though this was subsequently replaced by another declaration written and signed in Malolos, Bulacan).

National Symbols
The Philippine flag was formally unfurled to the people, although it had been flown during battle in late May of 1898 (now celebrated as Flag Day on May 28) and the Philippine national anthem was also played as incidental music (the lyrics were written in 1899 by José Palma) by the marching band of San Francisco de Malabon (now General Trias, Cavite) on that date.

Renovations
President Aguinaldo, particularly while in retirement after his capture and release by the occupying American forces, greatly enlarged his home, constructing an elaborate "Independence balcony" which many visitors today assume to be the actual location of the Independence Proclamation. The first president himself is buried in the garden of his home,[2] which he donated to the Philippine government in 1962.

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