Early Life:
- Melchora Aquino was born on January 6, 1812, in Banlat, Caloocan (now part of Metro Manila), Philippines.
- She was the daughter of Fulgencio Aquino, a government employee, and Valentina de Aquino.
- Melchora received little formal education but was known for her intelligence and strong-willed nature.
Involvement in the Revolution:
- During the late 19th century, the Philippines was under Spanish colonial rule and sought independence. Melchora Aquino actively supported the revolutionary movement.
- She used her home in Caloocan as a refuge for Filipino revolutionaries and provided medical care to the wounded.
- She became known as "Tandang Sora", which means "Old Sora," due to her age and motherly role in the revolution.
Contributions:
- Melchora Aquino's house served as a secret meeting place for Katipunan members, a revolutionary society fighting for Philippine independence.
- She provided food, shelter, and financial support to Katipunan rebels and served as a courier, delivering messages and supplies.
- She also organized women's groups that supported the revolution and played a role in spreading revolutionary propaganda.
Capture and Imprisonment:
- In 1896, Spanish authorities discovered Tandang Sora's involvement in the Katipunan. They arrested her and imprisoned her in Manila.
- Despite torture and interrogation, she refused to divulge information about her revolutionary activities and comrades.
- She stayed resilient and defiant during her captivity.
Later Life and Recognition:
- After the Philippine Revolution's end in 1898, Tandang Sora was released from prison.
- In recognition of her contributions to the revolutionary movement, she received a pension from the Philippine government.
- She resided in her home in Caloocan until her death on March 2, 1919.
Melchora Aquino, Tandang Sora, remains an influential figure in Philippine history and a symbol of women's participation and bravery during the revolution. Her contributions helped pave the way for Philippine independence and the establishment of the Philippine Republic.