2.

4 Society (or Social Structure)

Eager to fight for the cause of Philippine independence, in 1895 Aguinaldo took up with
a secret society of revolutionaries headed by fellow lodge member Andres Bonifacio. When a
rival faction executed Bonifacio in 1897, Aguinaldo assumed total leadership of the revolution
against Spain.
By December 1897, Aguinaldo had managed to reach the Truce of Biak-na-Bato with
Spain. He and his rebels agreed to a surrendering of arms and accepted exile to Hong Kong in
exchange for amnesty, indemnity and liberal reform. However, neither side kept up their end of
the bargain. The Spanish government did not deliver in full all that was promised, and the rebels
did not truly surrender arms. In fact, Aguinaldo's revolutionaries used some of Spain's financial
compensation to purchase additional arms for the resistance. From Hong Kong, Aguinaldo also
made arrangements to assist Americans fighting against Spain in the Spanish-American War. As
neither peace nor independence had been achieved, in 1898 Aguinaldo returned to the
Philippines to resume his rebellion against Spanish rule.
The Philippine Revolution is one of the most important events in the country’s history,
awakening a proud sense of nationalism for generations of Filipinos to come. In a period of
heavy struggle and conflict, Filipinos of different backgrounds united with a common goal: to
resist colonialism.
The revolution against Spain was sparked in 1896 after Spanish authorities discovered the
“Katipunan,” a Filipino revolutionary society plotting against their colonisers. It ended in 1902,
where Spain lost and ceded sovereignty of the Philippines to the United States.
2.4.1 Locals
Emilio became the "Cabeza de Barangay" In 1895 the Maura Law that called for the
reorganization of local governments was enacted. At the age of 25, Aguinaldo became Cavite el
Viejo's first "gobernadorcillo capitan municipal" (Municipal Governor-Captain) while on a
business trip in Mindoro.
On January 1, 1895, Aguinaldo became a Freemason, joining Pilar Lodge No. 203, Imus,
Cavite by the codename "Colon". He would later say:
"The Successful Revolution of 1896 was masonically inspired, led, and executed, and I
venture to say that the first Philippine Republic of which I was its humble President, was an
achievement we owe largely, to Masonry and the Masons."
On March 7, 1895, Santiago Alvarez whose father was a Capitan Municipal (Mayor)
of Noveleta encouraged Aguinaldo to join the "Katipunan", a secret organization led by Andrés
Bonifacio, dedicated to the expulsion of the Spanish and independence of the Philippines through
armed force. Aguinaldo joined the organization and used the nom de guerre Magdalo, in honor
of Mary Magdalene. The local chapter of Katipunan in Cavite was established and
named Sangguniang Magdalo, and Aguinaldo's cousin Baldomero Aguinaldo was appointed
leader.
 The Katipunan-led Philippine Revolution against the Spanish began in the last week of
August 1896 in San Juan del Monte (now part of Metro Manila).[17] However, Aguinaldo and
other Cavite rebels initially refused to join in the offensive because of the lack of arms. While
Bonifacio and other rebels were forced to resort to guerrilla warfare, Aguinaldo and the Cavite
rebels won major victories in carefully planned and well-timed set-piece battles, temporarily
driving the Spanish out of their area. On August 31, 1896, Aguinaldo started the assault
beginning as a skirmish to a full blown revolt (Kawit Revolt). He marched with his army of
bolomen to the town center of Kawit . Prior to the battle, Aguinaldo strictly ordered his men not
to kill anyone in his hometown. Upon arriving at the town center, the guards armed with
remingtons, unaware of events were caught completely by surprise and surrendered immediately.
The guns there were captured and armed by the Katipuneros, the revolt was a major success for
Aguinaldo and his men. Later that afternoon, they raised the Magdalo flag at the town hall to a
large crowd of people from Kawit all assembled after hearing of their city's liberation.

2.4.2 Economic system

The economy is at its lowest state during the Fil-am war. Famine hits Filipino people.
Even before the said war, the country is already experiencing a great mishap in economy because
of Spaniards. Resources that belongs to the Philippines are continuously being taken, many
landless Filipinos specially farmers and others willing to be treated as slaves just to earn
for living.
The seeds of revolution were, in fact, sown earlier in the nineteenth century when Spain’s
enforced isolation of the Philippines was shattered with the opening of the country to foreign
commerce and the resulting development of an export economy by non-Spanish foreign
enterprises (British, American, Chinese).  Revolutionary and liberal movements in Europe and
elsewhere, in addition to the persistence of friar autocratic rule, brought winds of change in the
political climate in the Philippines.  The most important event which possibly made the
Revolution inevitable was that of February 17, 1872, when three Filipino secular priests, leaders
in the movement for the secularization (in effect, nationalization) of Philippine parishes, were
executed publicly by garrote for their supposed complicity in a military mutiny at a Cavite
arsenal on January 20, 1872.  By linking them with the mutiny, the Spanish administration, with
the instigation of Spanish friars, found a convenient way of doing away with the troublesome
priests, considered by them as filibusteros (anyone who showed any radical tendencies) for
demanding clerical equality with the Spanish friars.
2.4.2.1 Top Industries and Jobs in the City
Agriculture
The province is predominantly an agriculture province. The province's economy is
largely dependent to agriculture. Despite urbanization and industrialization, still, a significant
number of inhabitants are engaged into agribusinesses. The data gathered from Office of the
Provincial Agriculturist shows that though the province lies in the industrial belt, the agricultural
land is about 49.38 percent or 70,466.53 hectares (174,126.6 acres) of the total land area of the
Province. This is 1,176.5 hectares (2,907 acres) bigger than that of the declared agricultural lands
in 2008 (69,290.03 hectares).
The municipality of Maragondon has the biggest area intended for agriculture, accounts
for 14.57% of the total provincial agricultural lands while Cavite City has no longer available
land for agriculture related activities and industries. If based on total agricultural lands, we may
say that the major players in agriculture in the province are Maragondon, Silang, Indang, Naic
and Alfonso. Of the eight districts in the province, the top three with the widest agricultural area
are District VII comprising 43,587.01 hectares or 61.85 percent of the total agricultural areas
with 27,115 farmers followed by District VI with 17.40 percent or 12,257.71 hectares (30,289.5
acres) having 8,701 farmers and District V comprising 10,248.55 hectares (25,324.7 acres) with
10,295 farmers. The municipality of Silang has the most number of farmers. The municipality of
Maragondon only ranks 3rd in terms of number of farmers. This can be attributed to highly
mechanized operation and vast plantation of rice. The same is true with General Trias and Naic,
known as the rice producing municipalities in Cavite. The number of farmers increased by 6.5%
that corresponds to around 3,097 farmers. The increase in the number of farmers was due to
worldwide recession which led to work displacement of some inhabitants. Silang is dominated
by pineapple and coffee plantations as well as with cutflower production.
Industry and commerce
Cavite has twelve (12) economic zones. The largest economic zone under development is
located in Gen. Trias, the PEC Industrial Park with 177 hectares intended for garments, textiles,
semiconductors, food processing and pharmaceuticals.
Lancaster New City (ProFriends) 2,000 hectares — Imus, Kawit, General Trias and Tanza
Vista City (Vista Land) 1,500 hectares — Bacoor and Dasmariñas (shared with Las Piñas and
Muntinlupa)
Twin Lakes Tagaytay (Megaworld) 1,149 hectares — Alfonso (shared with Laurel, Batangas)
Vermosa (Ayala Land) 770 hectares — Imus and Dasmariñas
Eagle Ridge Golf & Residential Estates (Sta. Lucia) 700 hectares — General Trias
Southwoods City (Megaworld) 561 hectares— Carmona (shared with Biñan, Laguna)
Camella Tanza (Vista Land) 500 hectares — Tanza
Suntrust Ecotown (Megaworld) 350 hectares — Tanza
Evo City (Ayala Land) 250 hectares — Kawit
South Forbes City (Cathay Land) 250 hectares — Silang
Golden Horizon (HG-III Construction and Development Corp) 250 hectares — Trece Martires
Antel Grand (Antel Holdings) 170 hectares — General Trias
Maple Grove (Megaworld) 120 hectares — General Trias
RCD Royale Home (RCD Land, Inc.) - Kalubkob, Silang, Cavite
Sabella Village ("MyCitiHomes")- 47 Hectares Masterplanned Community - Brgy Panungyanan,
General Trias, Cavite

2.4.2.2 General Economy of the City

Investors have preferred to set their business in the province, as there are now over 1200
industrial locators spread across its 32 operating economic zones and industrial estates, which are
primarily engaged in export, logistics, facilities, and information technology.
The place also has over a hundred small, medium, and large enterprises scattered
throughout its seven cities and 16 municipalities. Some 350 bank branches dot the province.
Cavite boasts of 75 private and state-run colleges and universities, providing plenty of
education options for students. Private higher education institutions include De Las Salle
University, Lyceum, and San Sebastian College–Recoletos de Cavite. Government owned
schools are Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippine National Police Academy, and
Cavite State University.
The growth of this history-heavy province has not gone unnoticed by the real estate
industry. Developers have descended, to provide a multitude of options for residents — many of
whom are transferring from crowded Metro Manila.
By the end of 2016, developers had built close to 13,500 residential units, covering a total
floor area of close to 2 million square meters, representing a total value of P15.5 billion.
From townhouses to townships, Cavite is definitely now home to families preferring cozy
living not too far from Metro Manila but providing urban amenities as well.