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women's museum

tandang sora

women's museum

tandang sora

Exhibit Highlights

Mother of Revolution

Melchora Aquino, known as Tandang Sora, is hailed as the 'Mother of the Philippine Revolution.' Born in 1812, she supported the Katipuneros by providing shelter, care, and resources during the fight against Spanish colonization, even at the age of 84. Captured and exiled to Guam for her revolutionary efforts, she remained steadfast in her loyalty to the cause. Returning to the Philippines at 91, she lived peacefully until her passing at 107. Tandang Sora’s legacy lives on through national honors, awards, and landmarks named in her honor, celebrating her courage, resilience, and dedication to the country.

The Babaylan: Mediators of the Human and Spirit Worlds

Understanding the Babaylan and other Philippine ritual specialists is key to tracing the powerful roots of women in the Philippines. As priestesses, healers, and spiritual leaders, Babaylan played vital roles in their communities from pre-colonial times to the present. While mostly women, historical accounts also mention male and transgender shamans, like the cross-dressing Bayog. Despite Spanish colonization, which sought to suppress their influence, Babaylan led resistance movements and preserved cultural traditions that continue to thrive among various ethnolinguistic groups today.

Faith and Action: Beatas and Contemporary Women in Religion

Despite efforts to suppress the Babaylan, they adapted by integrating their spirituality into the new religion. Some became Hermanas, while others, feeling a deeper calling, became Beatas—devout women who formed beaterios as sanctuaries when faced with exclusion from religious orders. Prominent Beatas included Mother Francisca del Espíritu Santo and the Talangpaz sisters. Over time, women’s religious orders thrived, with some members emerging as feminists and political activists, such as Sister Mary John Mananzan, Sister Mariani Dimaranan, Sister Christine Tan, and Sister Mary Soledad Perpiñan.

Women as Freedom Fighters and Peacebuilders

Filipina women played crucial roles in the Philippine struggle for independence, actively contributing to revolutionary movements against Spanish, American, and Japanese forces. They served as informants and couriers, secretly transporting documents and weapons in their saya. Women also provided food, medical aid, and financial support while organizing revolutionary meetings disguised as social gatherings. Beyond these efforts, many bravely took up arms alongside men, fighting for the nation’s freedom.

Philippine Revolution

Filipina women played key roles in the fight for independence. Gabriela Silang led a revolt against Spain, commanding 2,000 troops before her capture and execution. Marina Dizon, Katipunan’s first women’s secretary, aided the revolution by distracting Spanish forces and destroying vital documents. Marcela Marcelo ("Selang Bagsik") fought and died in battle. Trinidad Tecson, the "Mother of Biak-na-Bato," secured arms and fought in 12 battles. Gregoria de Jesus ("Oriang"), a Katipunan leader, endured hardships as a soldier and revolutionary. Rosa Sevilla-Alvero and Florentina Arellano fueled the movement through revolutionary publications.

Philippine American War - Japanese Occupation

Filipina women played vital roles in World War II resistance. Remedios Gomez ("Kumander Liwayway") led Hukbalahap forces to victory against Japanese troops in Tarlac and Pampanga. Nieves Fernandez, "The Silent Killer," ambushed Japanese soldiers using a shotgun and bolo knife. Josefina Guerrero, despite having leprosy, provided intelligence crucial to Manila’s recapture. Maria Rosa Henson ("Lola Rosa") survived abuse as a comfort woman before joining the Hukbalahap and later became the first Filipina to publicly share her story in 1992.

From Margins to Center: Women’s Role in Peace Building

Indigenous and Muslim women have long fought for self-determination and peace. Petra Macli-ing ("Mother Petra") led a powerful protest against mining in Bontoc, driving engineers away with a bold act of defiance. Bai Hadja Fatima Matabay Plang, a WWII resistance member, later became an educator and social worker, helping establish the University of Southern Mindanao. Princess Tarhata Alonto Lucman, the first female governor of Lanao del Sur, was a fearless peacebuilder who ended clan wars by physically intervening in conflicts, strengthening Muslim-Christian relations.

Working Women of Manila in the 19th Century

Filipina working women have long fought for fair wages, job security, and better conditions. Cigarreras (female cigar makers) faced low wages, harsh regulations, and abuse but went on strike for fair treatment. Tenderas and vendadoras (shopkeepers and vendors) dominated 19th-century markets, while bordadoras and costureras (embroiderers and seamstresses) created fine garments but remained underpaid. Las Maestras (female teachers) played a vital role in education but earned less than men and faced church control, with some supporting the 1896 revolution as informants.

Sakdalista and Welgista

Filipina workers have long fought for fair wages and land rights. In 1934, cigarreras led the first major workers' strike, with 11,500 participants shutting down 29 tobacco factories for six weeks. The Sakdal movement (1935) pushed for land redistribution, sparking uprisings across several provinces. Salud Algabre, a revolutionary and one of the few documented women in the movement, led the Sakdal uprising in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Women of Malolos

The Spanish Royal Decree of 1863 established schools for boys and girls but favored male education, limiting girls to primary studies and sewing lessons. Women were discouraged from learning Spanish, as friars saw it as subversive. Refusing to accept this inequality, the Women of Malolos petitioned for a night school to learn Spanish, which briefly ran in 1889 before closing due to political accusations. Their bold stand earned praise from Jose Rizal in his letter "To the Young Women of Malolos." Many later joined the revolution, proving their dedication to change.

First Women’s Clues and Associates and Suffragists

Filipino women fought for social reforms, including the right to vote. Asociacion Feminista Filipina, founded in 1905, was the first feminist organization advocating for health, labor, and education reforms. In 1906, La Proteccion de la Infancia addressed women’s and children’s health. Pura Villanueva Kalaw founded the Asociacion Feminista Ilonga, and the National Federation of Women’s Clubs led the suffrage campaign, which succeeded in 1937. Dona Aurora Quezon supported suffrage and chaired the Philippine National Red Cross, while Josefa Llanes Escoda founded the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Other key figures include Apolonia Catra and Espiridiona Bonifacio.

Paghulagpos! Contemporary Women’s Movement

In the 1960s, growing nationalism led to the First Quarter Storm of 1970, with student groups like KM and SDK leading protests. Women played a key role in the EDSA People Power Revolution, notably through AWARE's rallies after Ninoy Aquino's death.
MAKIBAKA, founded by Maria Lorena Barros in 1970, addressed women's oppression and national liberation, participating in protests like the Diliman Commune. Barros died in 1976 after joining the Nationalist Democratic Front.
KaBaPa, founded in 1975, focused on educating and organizing rural women, promoting cooperatives, and supporting social campaigns. It established Bagong Sibol and PATAMABA to assist grassroots women.

Paghulagpos! Contemporary Women’s Movement

PILIPINA (1981) advocates for gender inclusion in social development, contributing to democratic restoration and women's political participation, including the Magna Carta of Women and EveryWoman.Ph.
KALAYAAN (1983) focuses on feminist transformation, addressing gender imbalances. It founded GABRIELA, WomanHealth Philippines, and the Lorena Barros Feminist School, and supports women’s cultural works.
GABRIELA (1984) fights for women's rights and against fascism. It provides legal advocacy, support for survivors of violence, and has a political arm, the Gabriela Women’s Party in Congress.

Centering on Women’s Knowledge, Experiences, and Narrative

Women’s studies programs in the Philippines began in the 1980s to highlight women’s knowledge, experiences, and stories, addressing their historical misrepresentation. Key pioneering institutions include Silliman University’s Center for Gender and Development Studies (1981), the Philippine Women’s University’s DIWA (1981), the Women’s Studies Consortium (1987), St. Scholastica’s College’s Institute of Women’s Studies (1988), University of the Philippines’ Center for Women’s and Gender Studies (1988), Miriam College’s Women and Gender Institute (1997), and the University of the Philippines Diliman’s Women and Development Studies (2000). These institutions helped expand education on gender and women's issues in the Philippines.

Women in the Field of Science and Sport

Science: Filipinas have made significant contributions in various fields, including Encarnacion Alzona (first female historian), Natividad Almeda-López (first female lawyer), Fe del Mundo (founder of the first pediatric hospital), and Maria Ylagan Orosa (food scientist and inventor).
Sport: Hidilyn Diaz made history as the first Filipina Olympic Gold medalist in weightlifting, while Lydia de Vega was Asia's fastest woman in the 1980s, alongside other athletes like Elma Muros-Posadas and Olivia Bong Coo.

Women in the Field of Arts

Panitikan: Notable Filipina writers include Leona Florentino, Ruth Elynia Mabanglo, Edith L. Tiempo (National Artist), and Lualhati Bautista, known for their contributions to literature, poetry, and activism.
Habi at Batik: Indigenous women practice weaving (habi) and tattooing (batok), both rich in cultural and spiritual significance, with symbolic patterns and tattoos indicating prestige or protection.
Sining Biswal: Prominent visual artists like Julie Lluch, Imelda Cajipe Endaya, and Pacita Abad have made significant marks in the visual arts.
Musika, Sayaw, at Teatro: Influential women in music and dance include Lucresia Kasilag (National Artist for Music), Bayang Barrios, and Francisca Reyes-Aquino (Mother of Filipino Folk Dance), along with theater legends like Atang dela Rama and Daisy Pardo Hontiveros-Avellana.

The Babaylan in Me

This quote reflects a commitment to justice, gender equality, and ecological preservation. It expresses unwavering dedication to dialogue among religions and promoting a culture of peace, even amidst challenges. The speaker finds guidance in their reflections, holding onto hope despite obstacles, while invoking the spirit of the babaylan, a symbol of strength and wisdom in Filipino women.

Contact us

Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center Building, Quezon City Hall, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City

8988-4242 local 7037

qctd@quezoncity.gov.ph

Official Facebook Page of Quezon City Tourism Department

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