Ina ng Rebolusyon

Mother of Revolution

Melchora Aquino, affectionately known as Tandang Sora, is considered the “Mother of the Philippine Revolution.” She was born on January 6, 1812 in Gulod sa Banilad (now Banlat) in Pasong Tamo, Kalookan (now part of Quezon City), to peasants Juan and Valentina Aquino.

Unlike some men and Katipunero, little was written about Melchora's early years. Accounts say that her beauty crowned her the title of Santa Elena during the annual Santacruzan festival. Tandang Sora was a traditional medicine woman. She married Fulgencio Ramos, a Cabeza de barangay. They had six children: Juan, Juana, Saturnina, Simon, Romualdo, and Estefania.

She was well-loved and respected by her neighbors, earning her the frequent role of serving as the hermana mayor during fiestas and ninang during baptisms and weddings. Tandang Sora was also gifted with a singing voice and has been a regular during pabasa. Tandang Sora became a widower and supported her family by managing their 25-hectare land that yielded rice and sugarcane.

Cradle of the Revolution

As her name suggests, age did not hinder Tandang Sora's participation in the struggle. Even at the age of 84, she contributed to the revolution by opening her home to the Katipuneros. She also cared for and tended to the revolutionaries wounded by the guardia civil and Spanish cazadores (infantrymen). 

 Accounts say that she witnessed the first act of the revolution—the tearing of the cedula personal—which took place on 23 August 1896 in the backyard of his eldest, Juan Ramos. The following day, leaders of the Katipunan held a meeting at Tandang Sora’s house in Banilad.This was interrupted by the sudden appearance of guardia civil, causing panic among the Katipuneros, who immediately dispersed. Tandang Sora’s house, which became a cradle of the revolution, was burned down by the Spanish authorities.

A few days later, Tandang Sora was captured by the Guardia Civil on 29 August, 1896. The Spanish newspaper El Comercio released an article about the arrest, and it mentioned that "a woman, a certain 'Sora,'" was part of the captives. Following her capture, Tandang Sora was detained at the Old Bilibid Prison, where she was interrogated and forced to divulge information about the Katipunan, but Tandang Sora did not say a word and has remained steadfast and loyal to the revolution. 

Upon hearing her deportation decree, Tandang Sora uttered: “I have no regrets, and if I have nine lives, I will gladly give them up for my beloved country.”

She was deported to Guam on September 2, 1896. There, she was under house arrest along with a fellow Filipina, Segunda Puentes Santiago. They lived under the supervision of Don Justo Dungca, a Kapampangan resident of Guam. Tandang Sora was well-loved by Don Justo's family, who even considered her a family member. Because of her exceptional conduct, Melchora was allowed to go outside the Dungca premises and anywhere on the island.

Six years into exile, Tandang Sora was informed that she would be allowed to return to the Philippines. Her family was not informed of her return, so no one was there to welcome her when they arrived in Manila aboard S.S. Uranus on  February 26, 1903. However, she was warmly welcomed back by her family and community when she returned to her hometown in Banilad.

Return from Exile

At 91 years old, Tandang Sora returned from exile. The American colonial government offered her a pension, but she refused, stating that she did not participate in the revolution for personal gain. Due to her advancing age, her children and their families cared for her. She lived a quiet life and passed away peacefully at the age of 107 at Saturnina's house in Pasong Tamo on 19 February 1919.

Tandang Sora’s Enduring Legacy

Melchora Aquino, popularly known as Tandang Sora, left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire generations of Filipinos. Recognized by the government for her invaluable role in the fight for independence, Tandang Sora is depicted on banknotes, coins, and stamps. The University of the Philippines honored her by naming a hibiscus hybrid "Gumamela Tandang Sora," commemorating Filipino women who contributed to the country's independence. 

To pay tribute to Tandang Sora, the Quezon City Government established the "Tandang Sora Awards." This award is given to outstanding Filipino women in social work, women empowerment, and development who embody Tandang Sora's virtues of honesty, industry, service, integrity, kindness, care, protectiveness, and bravery. 

The University of the Philippines also presents the Gawad Tandang Sora, which has honored Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay, a warrior and the first woman tribal chieftain of the Manobo clan.

The barrio where Tandang Sora lived, now home to this museum, is named after her. Schools, streets, and barangays across the Philippines, as does a street in a Filipino community in the United States, bear her name.

References

• Camagay, M.L.T. (1996). Women in the Text and in Reality. Review of Women's Studies, 6(1), 11-18.

• Dioko, M.S.I. (2014). Woman, a Certain ‘Sora’. Review of Women's Studies, 22, 10-21.

• Medina, I. R. (1995). Melchora Aquino, Wife of Fulgencio Ramos. In Soriano (Ed.), Women in the Philippine Revolution (pp. 11-15). Printon Press.

• Policarpio, P. (1996). The Filipino Women During the Revolution. Review of Women's Studies, 6(1), 19-39.

• Quezon City Council. (2021). Ordinance No. 3070 (2021) on Gawad Tandang Sora Awards (SP/3070/2021).

• Taguiwalo, J.M. (2014). Ang Bayan at Mga Anak ng Bayan Bilang Pamilya: Ang Patuloy na Katuturan ni Tandang Sora sa Kasalukuyang Panahon. Review of Women's Studies, 22, 22-33.

• Torrevillas, D.M. (2015, January 9). On Tandang Sora’s 203rd Birth Anniversary. Philippine Star. https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2015/01/09/1410961/tandang-soras-203rd-birth-anniversary

• University of the Philippines. (February, 2017). Lumad Leader Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay Is 2017 UP Gawad Tandang Sora Awardee. University of the Philippines. https://up.edu.ph/lumad-leader-bai-bibyaon-ligkayan-bigkay-is-2017-up-gawad-tandang-sora-awardee/

• University of the Philippines. (n.d). Gumamela ‘Tandang Sora’. University of the Philippines Los Baños, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension. https://ovcre.uplb.edu.ph/research/our-technologies/article/344-gumamela-tandang-sora

• Zaide, G. F., & Zaide, S. M. (1988). Melchora Aquino (1812-1919) Grand Old Woman of the Revolution. In Rizal and Other Great Filipinos (pp. 100-102). National Book Store.

• Zaide, G. F. (1970). Great Filipinos in History. Verde Book Store.