QUEZON CITY, 7 Jan. (PIA)–The Quezon City government with the National Historical Commission yesterday commemorated Melchora Aquino’s 203rd birth anniversary at the Tandang Sora National Shrine in Banlat.
The event was highlighted by the awarding of honor for Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno for her exemplary service in the judiciary, as this year’s Tandang Sora awardee.
The Tandang Sora Award is bestowed to QC’s outstanding women who embody the 7 virtues of Melchora Aquino – katapatan(honesty), kasipagan (industry), paglilingkod(service), palabra de honor(word of honor), kagandahang loob (kindness), mapagmalasakit (caring), and pagkalinga (protectiveness).
In her keynote speech, Chief Justice Sereno not only highlighted Tandang Sora’s role and dedication to the Filipino revolution but gave importance to all that is good and honorable in the Filipino spirit.
She mentioned that Tandang Sora should not only be remembered as a “place” or a “historic person” but moreover as the rallying point of all katipuneros and mothers in the country. She called on all cynics on public service that Tandang Sora’s life serves as a counterpoint on apathy and lack of philanthropy in the Filipino community.
The Chief Justice also called for unity of every Filipino to struggle and persevere through a better future by embodying her virtues.
During the event’ simple ceremony, Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, Chief Justice Sereno, NHCP Exec. Director Ludovico Badoy and other government officials led the wreath-laying at the Tandang Sora National Shrine.
Melchora Aquino, also known as Tandang Sora, was born to a poor family on January 6, 1812, in Baryo Banlat, Kalookan (now Banlat, Balintawak, Quezon City). She married Fulgencio Ramos, a cabeza de barangay, who gave him six children — Juan, Simon, Estefania, Juana, Romualdo and Saturnina.
Widowed early, Melchora was a good mother and a conscientious caretaker of the farmland and businesses her husband left behind. She was known for her kindness and generosity.
Andres Bonifacio, the Katipunan Supremo, was a good friend of the Aquinos, and Melchora, who herself became a revolutionary, helped the movement by giving provisions, providing shelter, and taking care of the wounded and sick freedom fighters.
On August 29, 1896, she was taken to the Bilibid Prisons by the Spaniards and later deported and exiled to Guam. Then age 91, she was freed by the Americans on February 1903 and she returned home to her family in Banlat.
She died at the age of 107 in the home of her daughter Saturnina, and was first buried at the Cementerio del Norte, at the Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion. Her remains were transferred in 2013 from the Pilipino Memorial Park to the Tandang Sora National Shrine. (QC PAISO/RJB/SDL/PIA-NCR)
