To mark the end of our homeschool year in a truly memorable way, our family went on a field trip to the Bonifacio Trial House in Maragondon, Cavite on April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor). This holiday honors the courage of Filipino and American soldiers during World War II, particularly those who endured the Bataan Death March. But this year, we chose to also honor another form of courage—the quiet, principled bravery of Andres Bonifacio, whose own life ended not at the hands of colonizers, but through internal betrayal during the Philippine Revolution.

A Visit Long Overdue

I have long wanted to visit the Bonifacio Trial House, knowing its importance in our country’s history and its powerful lessons for young learners. However, living in Manila, the trip always felt just a bit too far for a day visit.

This April, during our family vacation in Batangas (watch out for this upcoming blog post soon!), we realized that Maragondon was much closer to the resort where we were staying. We knew it was the perfect chance—and I made sure to plan our homeschool field trip on Araw ng Kagitingan to make the experience even more meaningful.

A Stop with a View of History

Before heading to the museum, we had a late lunch at a beautiful al fresco restaurant in Cavite that offered a stunning view of the island of Corregidor—a historic site tied directly to Araw ng Kagitingan. From across the bay, we looked at the island where many Filipino and American soldiers once stood their ground. It was especially moving to share with our children that Corregidor marked the beginning of the Bataan Death March, making the moment all the more meaningful as we prepared for our visit to another place of Filipino sacrifice.

While waiting for our food to be served and during lunch, while enjoying the view of Corregidor, my husband and I discussed the Fall of Bataan and the Death March to our children. I also shared that one of my maternal grandfathers was a WW2 Veteran and a Death March survivor. This helped us transition from a vacation mindset into a space of reflection. It grounded our field trip in a broader understanding of Filipino heroism across different time periods.

When We Finally Arrived

We arrived a little past 4:00 PM, just after the museum’s official closing time. But when the kind and accommodating staff learned that we are from Manila, they graciously allowed us to explore the museum. That simple act of graciousness made our visit even more special and heartwarming.

Why the Bonifacio Trial House?

The Bonifacio Trial House is where Andres and his brother Procopio were tried in 1897 by a revolutionary court led by fellow Filipinos—not Spanish colonizers. This moment in history is painful, complex, and essential to understanding the full story of our nation’s path to freedom.

What made the visit especially powerful for our children was learning that Bonifacio was not just a revolutionary, but a man of the working class, mocked and dismissed by the ilustrado elite because of his “inferior” education compared to the other Katipuneros. Despite these insults, he remained firm in his convictions. He fought not only against colonial rule, but also against inequality and elitism within the revolution itself.

A Timely Reflection: May Dates and May 1 Meaning

This blog post is being published on May 1, just days before the tragic anniversary of Bonifacio’s sentencing. On May 5, 1897, the Bonifacio brothers were charged with treason and sedition. The following day, May 6, they were sentenced to death.

It is especially fitting to reflect on this now, because May 1 is also International Workers’ Day. Bonifacio, a laborer himself, symbolizes the hopes and struggles of the Filipino working class. Publishing this post on this day is my small way of honoring his legacy and the millions of Filipinos like him who believed in dignity, equality, and freedom for all.

Inside the Bonifacio Trial House Museum

The museum has been carefully restored and offers a deeply immersive experience. Highlights include:

• A recreated courtroom where Bonifacio was tried
• Dioramas and life-sized figures of Bonifacio and the tribunal
• Timelines and exhibits on the Katipunan movement
• Historical artifacts and documents that bring the revolution to life
• Multimedia presentation for a deeper understanding of the events

The museum does a fantastic job of capturing the emotion and gravity of what happened in those rooms.

Why This Was the Perfect Homeschool Field Trip

This trip was more than just a history lesson—it was a living classroom. As homeschoolers, we’re always looking for ways to bring education beyond textbooks. Seeing the very courtroom where Bonifacio was unjustly tried, understanding the circumstances of his conflict with other revolutionaries, and reflecting on themes of justice, loyalty, and sacrifice gave our kids a much deeper grasp of Philippine history.

The visit sparked great discussions about:

• The complexity of heroism
• The moral struggles within revolutionary movements
• The importance of standing by one’s principles even at great personal cost

It also helped the children develop a more human understanding of Andres Bonifacio—not just as a name in their history books, but as a real person who faced hard decisions and betrayal.

This experience allowed our children to:

• Engage with Philippine history in a real, emotional way
• Learn about class and power dynamics within the revolution
• Understand that heroism isn’t about titles, but about integrity and sacrifice
• Reflect on justice, betrayal, and moral courage

As homeschoolers, this trip brought together everything we aim to teach: critical thinking, empathy, and love of country.

I highly recommend this historical place as a field trip destination not just for homeschoolers but to all Filipinos, young and old alike. We all need to know the truth. Don’t let your kids read sanitized textbooks only where the faults of our heroes are removed or not mentioned. Let the younger generation know that even before, centuries ago, there was power struggle in the early form of government in the Philippines and these even resulted in the death of great men like the Supremo.

Museum Info and Schedule

Location: Col. Infante St., Maragondon, Cavite
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission: Free (donations appreciated)