Women in the Philippine Revolution and Propaganda Movement

Womens role in the Philippine Revolution and the Propaganda Movement was extraordinary. Even though most of the historian regarded them as only a supportive mechanism during those historical events, their contributions were unparalleled. As a matter of fact, there were numbers of Filipino women who both actively and passively helped the men in the battlefield. Among them were Gregoria de Jesus (Bonifacios wife), Melchora Aquino, Patrocinia Gamboa, Hilaria Aguinaldo (The First Lady, wife of Emilio Aguinaldo), Trinidad Tecson (Mother of Biak-na-Bato), Marcela Agoncillo and others. For example, ancient Filipina priestesses were a great help to the soldiers, like in determining when would be the best time to start the revolts. Also some of the Filipina fought in the battlefield. They acted like men. This proves that women can also do things that men do. Women also helped in guarding the secret documents that the Katipuneros had. They also helped in preparing food, shelter and first aids/medicines that were needed by the Filipino soldiers. One of the most amazing role they had before was when they served as spies or distractions to the Spanish guards who investigated every action of the Filipino men. Whenever the Katipuneros held a meeting, Filipino women convened parties and other social gatherings as a disguise in order to eliminate the suspicions of the Spaniards. Gender may also be considered as an asset to the Filipino women, by this, they served as an agent that helped Filipino soldiers to transmit messages and other important matters because they were not suspected by the Spaniards to be involved in the revolutionary movement. Twenty women from Malolos were also recognized. They were the the Tiongsons, the Tantocos, the Reyeses, and the Santoses. These women were known for their fight to have an equal education among men. Truthfully, education before was more of a privilege rather than as a right. These girls wanted to learn the Spanish language, but their requests were not easily granted because friars assumed that when they will learn they will be liberated and will root their urge to fight for freedom and human rights. It took years before they achieved their dreams: to have a school and teacher that will teach them.Unfortunately, after 3 months after its opening, it was closed. But their dreams didnt end there. Later on, they served and helped the Katipuneros. Some of them founded the Asociacion Feminista de Filipinas in 1906 which aimed to help the Filipino women in all aspects. This movement was deemed to be the forbearers of the feminist movement in the Philippines. Filipino women had different roles in the society. It was also observable that discrimination on women was high. I do believe that if they were of the same level with men, they could contribute more than what they had already did.

Source/s: Dr. Yoder, Robert L.(1999). Philippine heroines of the revolution:maria clara they were not. Retrieved August 1, 2012.http://www.univie.ac.at/Voelkerkunde/apsis/aufi/wstat/heroine.htm

Palafox, Quennie Ann J. Girl power: the women of malolos. Retrieved August 1, 2012.http://www.nhcp.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=636&Itemid=3