1. Barasoain Church
(also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel
Parish) is a Roman Catholic church built
in 1630[1]
in Malolos City, Bulacan.[2]
Having earned the title as the Cradle of
Democracy in the East, the most important
religious building in the Philippines,[3]
and
the site of the First Philippine Republic,
the church is proverbial for its historical
importance among Filipinos.
Founded by Augustinian Missionaries in
1859, the church is also renowned for its
architectural design and internal
adornments.[1]
The original church was
burned during the outbreak of the
Philippine Revolution however, it was
renovated. It is about 42 kilometers away
from Manila.
The church recorded some of the important events occurred in the country. While it has been a
temporary residence of General Aguinaldo, three major events in Philippine History happened in
this church: the convening of the First Philippine Congress (September 15, 1898), the drafting of
the Malolos Constitution (September 29, 1898 to January 21, 1899), and the inauguration of the
First Philippine Republic (January 23, 1899).[4]
By Presidential Decree No. 260, the church was
proclaimed as a National Shrine by President Ferdinand Marcos on August 1, 1973.[5]
Unusual
for newly elected presidents in the Philippines, the church has been a venue in an inaugural
affairs. General Emilio Aguinaldo and former president Joseph Estrada were the only two who
have been inaugurated in the place.[6