PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA
COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES, ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Readings in Philippine History
A Written Report
Topic:
ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE PERIOD OF
REVOLUTION
Submitted to:
Mr. Julius B. Japa
Submitted by:
Bagaporo, Erica
Chua, Ruth Mae
Digma, Janella Mhay
Villiones, Ferdinando
BS ARCH 1-2
2019
SPECIAL TOPIC: ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE PERIOD OF
REVOLUTION
Role of women and how it changed
The women at that period was considered as “babaylan” or the spiritual leader of the
community. They were regarded highly by men as someone that can undertake their roles easily.
They were treated with respect and had an important position in the society such as members of
the council for elders. However the position and role of women in the society changed when
Spaniards colonized Philippines. The character of Maris Clara was introduced and represented
the Filipino women as submissive, conservative and have low self-esteem.
Influential Filipino Women
Still, there were other women brave enough to stand for their rights and were determined to
prove something to society.
Some of the influential Filipina women most especially during the outburst of Philippine
Revolution are the following:
1. Melchora Aquino: Known as the Mother of the Katipunan
She was a Filipino revolutionary who became known as "TandangSora"in Philippines
history because of her age when the Philippine Revolution broke out which was in 1896.
She operated a store that served as a refuge for sick and injured revolutionaries. She was
known to feed, treat the wounds, and give advices and prayers to them. The secret
meetings of the Katipuneros were done at her house, hence the nickname “Mother of
Katipunan”. She was arrested and deported after the Spaniards figured out her activities.
2. Teresa Magbanua: The Visayan Joan of Arc
Teresa was referred to as “Nay Isa” by her followers, she was a good example of woman
with substance. She first joined the revolutionary force when it broke out in late 1898.
Altough her husband and uncle disapproved of her decision because she is woman and
should be frail, she still insisted and became a commander. Nay Isay proved to be a
forceful commander in her first encounter in the Battle of Barrio Yating, Pilar, Capiz
early in December 1898. She also fought at the Battle of Sapong Hills near Sara. In both
battles, she demonstrated her capacity was equal to that of other Filipino leaders. Her
men called her “generala” for being the “fightingest” woman in the Visayan Islands
3. Gregoria De Jesus: Lakangbini
also known as AlingOriang, was the founder and vice-president of the women's chapter
of the Katipunan of the Philippines. She was also the custodian of the documents and seal
of the Katipunan. She married Andres Bonifacio, the supremo of the Katipunan, and
played a major role in the Philippine Revolution. She is regarded as "The Mother of the
Philippine Revolution" by Filipinos.
Theyremarried in the presence of the Katipuneros, who did not approve of their marriage
in a Catholic Church. On the evening of the same day, the women’s chapter of the
Katipunan was formed, and she was appointed its vice-president and the custodian of the
Katipunan documents. She was designated the code name "Lakangbini" (Tagalog for
goddess or Muse) and swore to remain loyal to the Katipunan's holy purposes. The
Spanish police usually came unannounced, and Gregoria used to gather all the documents
and drive her car all night and return only when it is safe.
4. AguedaKahabagan
Known in history as the “Tagalog Joan of Arc,” AguedaKahabagan was the first and only
woman general in the armed forces of the Katipunan. Hence, her contemporaries called
her “HeneralaAgueda.”Historical records show that Agueda was commissioned by
General Miguel Malvar to lead troops of men armed with rifles and daggers. For her
participation in bloody combats against the Spanish and American forces, Agueda has
officially conferred the title “general” on January 4, 1899. In October 1897,
AguedaKahabagan joined General ArtemioRicarte in a three-day attack on the San Pablo
garrison in Laguna.While riding a horse, with a rifle in one hand and a bolo in the other,
she led her men and fought against the enemy.
5. PatrocinioGamboa y Villareal
Also known as the “Heroine of Jaro,” Patrocinio was born to a family of ilustrados but
yearned to free her country from Spanish rule. She secretly read the works of
propagandists such as Jose Rizal and Graciano Lopez Jaena. Inspired by their advocacy,
she eventually joined the revolutionary army to raise funds and heal wounded soldiers as
a Red Cross nurse. Gamboa was dropped off the Spaniard’s radar due to her gender and
affluence. She used these to her advantage and acted as an intelligence agent for the
revolution. Tia Patron, as she was often called, died an old maid in November 1953.
6. Gregoria Montoya y Patricio
Born on November 28, 1863, in Kawit, Cavite, Gregoria Montoya was the lesser known
heroine in the Battle of Calero Bridge in Dalahican, Cavite. Just like other women who
joined the revolution, Gregoria fought in the battle for a worthy cause: to avenge her
husband’s death. During the Battle of Dalahican on November 10, 1896, Gregoria led
some 30 Filipino rebels to fight against an infantry division of the Spanish army. She was
reportedly seen standing on a trench with one hand holding a bolo and another one firmly
grasping the Katipunan flag. However, she was more immortalized by the tragic end she
met, which only proved how strong religion’s influence was towards less educated
women of that era. After climbing atop the fort, Gregoria shouted and reportedly waved a
white piece of cloth commonly used by the priest to cover the chalice during a mass. She
used it as a charm with hopes of warding off the bullets from the enemy. Unfortunately,
an artillery shell or cannonball from a Spanish gunboat hit her in the midsection, almost
cutting her in half. Gregoria was instantly killed, along with fifteen of her soldiers.
7. Marcela Marcelo (1868 – 1897)
Battle of Pasong Santol Born in Malibay, Pasay, to a well-off family who ran a betel
farm, Marcelo would acquire a reputation for being a fierce fighter and able leader during
the revolution. It was said that after the Civil Guards imprisoned her husband, she left her
son under the care of her sister to lead a group of revolutionaries against the Spanish,
becoming feared as “SelangBagsik” and “HeneralaSela”. Emilio Aguinaldo’s private
secretary Carlos Ronquillo described her in his book as “a middle-aged married woman
who had a child…who was always in the heat of the battle, with no weapons but a bolo.”
Marcelo died a heroic death in 1897 during the Battle of Pasong Santol after leading her
men in overrunning the Spanish trenches.
