'Be like Tandang Sora, be an agent of change'

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino yesterday called on Filipinos to emulate Tandang Sora – dubbed as the “Grand Woman of the Revolution” – whose advanced age did not stop her from helping the cause of the Katipuneros.

“For the heroine that we are giving honor to today, age is not a hindrance to be an effective agent of change in our country. She is Melchora Aquino, the Mother of the Katipunan,” the President said during the celebration of Tandang Sora’s bicentennial birth anniversary yesterday.

Aquino led yesterday’s birth anniversary rites and the re-interment of her remains on Banlat Road in Quezon City, which was also attended by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, officials of the National Historical Institute, and the third and fourth generation of Tandang Sora’s descendants.

In paying tribute to Tandang Sora, the President said her status in life – being unlettered and having no wealth – did not deter her from being an agent of change.

Vice Mayor Belmonte, who also sits as chair of Task Force Tandang Sora, said that Tandang Sora’s life has proven that heroism does not depend on age or in engaging in fights.

“She remained humble despite so many contributions to the Katipunan. She was not expecting anything in return and continuously cared for the needy, not only the Katipuneros,” Belmonte said.

Tandang Sora treated sick and wounded Katipuneros even if she had six children and was a widow at the time.

The President also challenged Filipinos to make their contribution to society more meaningful.

During the rites, one of Tandang Sora’s descendants, Josephine Geronimo, asked Aquino to declare Jan. 6 a national legal holiday. The Chief Executive did not reply, but instead urged Filipinos to follow Tandang Sora’s heroic example.

Historical records show that Tandang Sora’s store became a refuge for sick and wounded Katipuneros during the revolt against Spain. She was 84 then. She fed, gave medical attention to and encouraged revolutionaries with advice and prayers.

When the Spaniards learned about her activities, she was interrogated but she refused to divulge any information. She was arrested and deported to Guam. She returned to the Philippines in 1898. She died in March 1919 at the age of 107.

Bishop Antonio Tobias of Novaliches blessed Tandang Sora’s remains before they were draped with the Philippine flag and afterwards, transferred to a special holding place that served as its tomb on stage in the shrine.

Before the re-interment, a Mass was held at the Quezon City Hall, followed by a funeral procession going to the Tandang Sora Shrine.

After Mass, Speaker Belmonte in a message shared that even in old age, Tandang Sora was still very productive.

He said Tandang Sora contributed much to the country’s history despite her limited formal education and her humble beginnings.

Belmonte recalled that during his time as Quezon City mayor, they worked for the establishment of the Tandang Sora Shrine where the heroine’s remains would have a permanent resting place.

Tandang Sora’s remains were exhumed earlier at Himlayang Pilipino, which had been the heroine’s burial ground for the past 42 years.

The Himlayang Pilipino administration, through its president Alberto Albano, recently acceded to the request of the city government and the family of Tandang Sora to have the heroine’s remains exhumed for permanent burial in her birthplace.

The year 2012 has been declared Tandang Sora Year by the Quezon City government through Ordinance No. SP-2092, S-2011.

Built in 2008, the shrine is located along Banlat Road where Tandang Sora was born and died. - Rhodina Villanueva