Tandang Sora @ 200

Tandang Sora

Melchora Aquino

Grand Old Woman of the Revolution (1812-1919) by GERTRUDE D. CATAPUSAN

Through the ages of Philippine history, one reads of Melchora Aquino, otherwise known as “Tandang Sora.” Tandang Sora was born on January 6, 1812, in the little barrio of Banlat, Caloocan Rizal. The barrio is today a part of Quezon City. Her parents were Juan Aquino and Valentina de Aquino. Melchora was named after one of the Three Kings, Melchor. Very little has been said about her childhood. Available materials reveal that she was a lovable person and gifted with musical talent. At an early age, her qualities of leadership were very evident, particularly in her participation in the Filipino traditional “pabasa.” Her being able to read and write at an early age was also remarkable.

In her youth, Sora married Fulgencio Ramos, who later became a cabeza de baranggay. Their marriage was blessed with six children, namely: Juan, Simon, Estefania, Saturnina, Romualdo, and Juana. During their married life they were able to raise their economic status because of their extreme industry and frugality. However, their marriage was not to be for long, for it was ended with the early death of Fulgencio. Since then, Sora had to carry on, playing the dual role of a father and mother to their children. She also took complete charge of the family business undertakings. Again, her leadership and strong character were evident. Among her other virtues were courage, piety, industry, patience, and her sense of nobility.

Most noteworthy of Tandang Sora’s accomplishments was her being one of the energetic heroines of the Philippine Revolution. Historically speaking, she is considered the “Mother of Balintawak,” or the “Grand Old Woman of the Revolution.” By the time the historic “Cry of Balintawak” took place on August 26, 1896, Tandang Sora was eighty-four years of age. History tells us that in spite of her advanced age, her fighting spirit was strong and her concern for her countrymen very evident.

At the time of the Revolution, Tandang Sora volunteered to help the Katipuneros who were under the leadership of Andres Bonifaio. Such help came in the form of providing the men with temporary shelter in the storehouse of her son Juan. She also have provisions of food and other material goods. Her first donation was 100 cavans of rice and ten carabaos. It was not long, however, before the government spies heard of her activities.

Upon the advice of Andres Bonifacio, Tandang Sora, together with her children, fled to Novaliches, but to no avail; the guardias civiles moved fast. On August 29 1896, in Pasong Putik, she was questioned by the Spaniards and then taken to the novaliches convent for further questioning by the town’s alcalde mayor. Later she was taken to the Cuartel de España. For some time, she was confined to the Bilibid Prison. POn Spetember 2, she was exiled to Guam, by the decree of Governor General Ramon Blanco. She left her native land together with other Filipino exiles on a ship of the Compania Maritima. Aboard ship, she met a wealthy Guam resident by the name of Justo Dunca, who later invited her to his home. There she served as his house manager, staying with his family until February 26, 1903, when she returned to the Philippines on board the “S.S. Uranus.”

At the time of her return to her native land, America had established a new form of government in the Philippines. Upon her return she once again had the happy opportunity of gathering her children and her grandchildren in the same barrio where she was brought up. By this time, she was poor and old; yet, she remained cheerful. Her deep religious background kept her strong in her faith in both God and her country.

On March 12, 1919, Melchora died at her daughter’s (Saturnina) house. She was then 107 years of age. She was laid to rest in the mausoleum of the Veterans of the Philippine Revolution at the La Loma Catholic Cemetery in Manila.