Biography Of The Grand Woman of the Revolution Melchora Aquino
MELCHORA AQUINO – Get to know more about the very fierce protector of the Katipunan Melchora Aquino (Tandang Sora).
Melchora Aquino de Ramos lived from January 6, 1812, until February 19, 1919. Due to her advanced age during the Philippine Revolution, Aquino became known as “Tandang Sora” (or “Elder Sora”)
She earned the titles “Mother of Balintawak” and “Grand Woman of the Revolution” for her achievements. Aquino was born in Balintawak, Quezon City.
Melchora Aquino, who was raised by a peasant couple named Juan and Valentina, never went to school. She sang beautifully and seems to have been reading from a young age, appearing at both local events and Mass for her church. She was frequently selected to play Reyna Elena in the procession spectacle known as “Santacruzan,” which was held in the Philippines in May to honor Empress Helen’s discovery of the Cross of Christ.
She had six children with Fulgencio Ramos, a cabeza de barrio (village chief), later in life. When their youngest child was seven years old, Ramos passed away, leaving her to raise their children alone. Aquino continued to live a full life as a hermana mayor involved in fiestas, marriages, and baptisms. She put in a lot of effort to ensure her children’s education.
Involvement in the revolution
Tandang Sora had a business in her hometown that served as a haven for injured and ill rebels. She provided the revolutionaries with food, medical care, and encouragement in the form of motherly counsel and prayers.
At her home, the Katipuneros (revolutionaries) often had covert gatherings. Her titles like “Woman of Revolution,” “Mother of Balintawak,” “Mother of the Philippine Revolution,” and “Tandang Sora” (Tandang is derived from the Tagalog term matandâ, which signifies old or elderly) were so gained. She was at the Cry of Balintawak with her son Juan Ramon, and they both saw the cedulas being torn apart.
She was questioned by the Spaniards after they discovered her actions and her knowledge of the Katipuneros’ whereabouts, but she steadfastly refused to provide any information. The guardia civil then took her into custody and deported her to Guam, Mariana Islands, where she and another woman called Segunda Puentes were put under house arrest at Don Justo Dungca’s house.
Tandang Sora, like other exiles, returned to the Philippines after the United States took control of the country in 1898, remaining there until her death on February 19, 1919, at the age of 107. After that, her remains were moved to her own garden, which is now Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park in Quezon City.
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