The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) has unveiled a new bronze monument of President Emilio Aguinaldo at the iconic Barasoain Church patio—marking a renewed tribute to the country’s first president where the First Philippine Republic was born.
Crafted by Caedo Sculptural Works, the bronze piece replaces the previous stone monument installed in 1998 for the centennial of Philippine independence. NHCP officials cited structural stress as the reason for the replacement, but emphasized that the new work retains the symbolic posture of Aguinaldo facing Barasoain, the heart of the nation’s early struggle for statehood.
The original stone statue has found a new home inside the Museo ng Republika Filipina 1899, positioned beside a historic carriage used during the 1998 presidential inauguration parade of Joseph Estrada and Fidel Ramos.
More than just an artistic update, the monument honors Aguinaldo’s legacy in shaping the First Philippine Republic. Malolos became the capital during his presidency, with Barasoain Church as the seat of the legislature, Malolos Cathedral for the executive, and the Barasoain convent for the judiciary—reflecting his vision of a republic governed by three co-equal branches.
As the bronze figure now stands proudly in the church courtyard, it serves as a timeless reminder of the enduring Filipino fight for independence and the foundation of democracy.
