BRIEF HISTORY OF CAVITE

Region four of South Luzon

Cavite, the name of the province, is derived from "Kawit", a Tagalog word for "hook",
This refers to the hook shaped land on Old Spanish maps. The land was known as "Tangway" where Spanish authorities evolved a fort from which the city of Cavite grew.
Archaeological evidence in the coastal areas of Cavite show prehistoric settlements.
Folklore says that the earliest settlers of Cavite were from Borneo. In the 1600's encomendas or Spanish royal land grants were given in Cavite and Maragondon. The Jesuit priests, who first came brought with them settlers from Mollucas. These settlers, known as Mardicas,settled on Ternate and Maragondon. Other settlements grew over the centuries and by the turn of the century Cavite towns were already trading with one another. Traditional industries began to thrive as Manila's commerce grew. Cavite like other provinces of Southern Tagalog, began its involvement for reforms and later on revolution as its educated citizens began to assert themselves like many Filipino illustrados of the time.

In 1872, Filipinos revolted against Spain. Three Filipino priests Jose Burgos, Mariano Gomez and Jacinto Zamora - were implicated in the Cavite revolt in which 200 Filipino rose in arms against the Spanish forces in the garrisons.

On August 28, 1896. When the Philippine Revolution againt Spanish broke out, Cavite became a bloody theatre of war. Led by Emilio Aguinaldo, Caviteños made surprise attracts on the Spanish headquarters and soon liberated the whole province. Aguinaldo directed the Revolution to its end: the proclamation of the first Republic in Asia, the Republic of the Philippines on June 12, 1898 in Kawit.

Cavite and its people, what they are today, and what will be tomorrow, will remain with infinity, as a place with glorious history and a people fortified with strength to live and die for a worthy cause.