Biak-na-Bato
The Caves Where Aguinaldo Declared A Republic In 1897 And Then Signed The Pact That Sent Him Into Exile · San Miguel, Bulacan
IN NOVEMBER 1897 EMILIO AGUINALDO AND THE REVOLUTIONARY GOVERNMENT SET UP IN THESE CAVES AND PROCLAIMED THE REPUBLIC OF BIAK-NA-BATO, with a constitution, in a limestone gorge in Bulacan. WEEKS LATER HE SIGNED THE PACT THAT DISSOLVED IT AND SENT HIM INTO EXILE IN HONG KONG IN EXCHANGE FOR MONEY AND AN AMNESTY - so the same caves hold a declaration of independence and the deal that ended it, about a month apart. AGUINALDO'S CAVE IS THE ONE PEOPLE COME FOR; BAHAY PANIKI IS BIGGER, full of bats, with a river running through it that you wade. BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT IT IS NOW: THIS IS AS MUCH A WEEKEND PICNIC PARK FOR METRO MANILA AS A HISTORIC SITE, the caves are unlit and involve wading, and THE HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION IS THIN for something this important. Come on a weekday, when the river and picnic areas are empty and the caves are effectively yours, and bring a change of clothes because Bahay Paniki is waded rather than walked.
Biak-na-Bato National Park, San Miguel, Bulacan, San Miguel, Bulacan, Philippines
BIAK-NA-BATO IS IN SAN MIGUEL, BULACAN, roughly TWO HOURS FROM MANILA by road, and is easily done as a day trip. THE PARK KEEPS DAYTIME HOURS WITH AN ENTRANCE FEE; GUIDES ARE ARRANGED AT THE GATE AND ARE REQUIRED FOR THE CAVES. AGUINALDO'S CAVE IS A SHORT WALK AND CLIMB; BAHAY PANIKI CAVE INVOLVES WADING THROUGH A RIVER IN THE DARK with a lamp and is not suitable for everyone. THE CAVES ARE UNLIT - lamps come from the guides. THE RIVER AND SWIMMING AREAS ARE THE MAIN WEEKEND DRAW for Manila families, so SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS ARE BUSY AND NOISY and weekdays are quiet. CAVES FLOOD AFTER HEAVY RAIN and sections close. Wear footwear you can wade in and bring a change of clothes.