Leading Filipino Women Introduction

     There is more truth than poetry in the saying that the hand that rocks the cradle moulds the lives of men and, hence, the destiny of nations. Indeed, the role of women in the building of a nation can hardly be underestimated. Someone rightly said that behind every man’s efforts to achieve a goal are the tender inspiration, the unfailing encouragement, and the unstinted support of some women. Rizal’s ambition to become an eye specialist was prompted by his desire to restore the failing eyesight of his mother. Mabini’s habits of thrift can be traced to the sacrifices his poor parents went through to give him an education. Bonifacio’s ability to evade government agents while he was organizing the K.K.K. was partly due to his wife, who took careful charge of important papers of the secret society.

     The Philippines has a long list of women pioneers and leaders about whom, unfortunately, little has been written. The history of our country, though short, is replete with the names of worthy women who took an active and self-sacrificing part in the building of our nation to what it is today. In the fields of poetry and drama, in education and social work, in philanthropy and business – in fact in almost all lines of human endeavor there have been Filipino women who, by natural ability and training, have excelled and attained heights of achievement of which young boys and girls of today should be justly proud.
      For many years the necessity of using the biographies of Filipino women nation-builders as material for instruction in our schools has been keenly felt; but for various reasons such material has not been widely used. One reason, perhaps the principal one, is the fact that there is not readily available for classroom work any collection of biographical stories that can be profitably employed. For this reason, most schoolchildren and, for that matter, most adults, although familiar with the names of many of our great men, have never heard of our women, who, just as well, deserve a place in the history of our country.
      The biographical sketches it contains should prove helpful because the incidents chosen are linked with important events in the history of our country and because the lives of the subjects exemplify the civic virtues embodied in the social studies course.
       I hope that the biographies told here will make a distinct contribution in bringing to the attention of school children the lives of worthy women whose examples should be helpful in the molding of their lives.

Iloilo Sports Achievers

Inocencia Solis

Francisco Guilledo popularly known as Pancho Villa

1920s

Pancho Villa – first Philippine World Boxing Champion gained from 1922 – 1925 



1930s
Rafael Navallasca of Miagao – national champion 100 – meter dash in 1935 and 1937 NISAA (National Interscholastic Athletic Association Meet now Palarong Pambansa)

Vicente Jaropillo - Lapaz, Iloilo City – famous national baseball pitcher

Josefina Ruiz – captain of the Philippine Volleyball Team to 1934 Far Eastern Games (now the Asian Games where the team emerged as the champion.

Cesar Montinola (native of Iloilo City but studied at San Beda College) – in 1937, swam for 17 hours from Paranaque to Las Pinas
- was the first recorded swimmer of Iloilo Strait (from Iloilo Port to Jordan, Guimaras)

Sgt. Gonzalo Penasales (native of Pototan, Iloilo) – team captain of the defending national champion: Iloilo Basketball Selection Team who went to Manila to defend the title in 1941 National Open Basketball Championship Games, but were aborted due to outbreak of war.


1950s and 1960s
Inocencia Solis (native of Sta. Barbara, Iloilo) – known at that time as “the fastest woman runner in Asia”; gold medalist in 100 meter dash in 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo

Haydee Coloso – reigned over the Second Asian Games garnering two gold medals in 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly earning her the title “the fleetest mermaid in Asia” in the 50s.
- she also participated in 4x100 m freestyle relay in 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan which her team was the gold medalist.

Mutya Tirol, Thelma Tirol, Aida Ardenas, Haydee Coloso - composed the swimming quartet of Iloilo City Colleges (University of Iloilo or UI now) that garnered national championship

Rafael Hechanova – hailed as the “1951 Mr. Basketball of the Year” by the Philippine Sportswriter Association.
- Led the Philippine Basketball Team to the Asian and Olympic Games

Aida Molinos - a national champion in running
Fidel Penaranda – has played in Tokyo Olympics in 1964


1970s
Nancy Deano (Dingle, Iloilo) – figured in national and international swimming competitions

Eugene Torre (Lapaz, Iloilo City) – hitched the Ilonggo’s passion for excellence to the heights when he was named “Asia’s first chess grandmaster”. First Asian to become a grandmaster in 1975 competition in Russia.

Rosendo Balinas – another Ilonggo who was the Asia’s Second Grandmaster next to Torre

Major Mariano Nava Jr. and Enriqueta Ledesma Nava – husband and wife team, both experts in Wimbledon course and also made a name in rifle and pistol marksmanship

Alfredo Tirador (Tigbauan, Iloilo) – was 1974 regional champion in Japan at Asian Games in wrestling

Barotac Nuevo – 1979 national champion in football during the National Cup Football Games under the patronage of Dr. Roland Padilla.

Mariano Araneta Jr. (Barotac Nuevo, recently the football center of the country) – dubbed as “Mr. Football of the Philippines”


1980s
Jimmy de la Torre (Pototan, Iloilo) – a student of Western Institute of Technology, garnered the gold medal in marathon race in 1981, 11th Southeast Asian Games or SEA Games in Manila setting a new SEAG record making him “the faster man in Asia”

Arlene Rodillado (Molo, Iloilo City) – student of University of San Agustin coed 100-meter air rifle range shooting, breaking the Philippine record

Percival Alger (native of Alimodian, Iloilo) – champion in SEA (Southeast Asian) & Asian Games Fencing

Recent Ilonggo Record breakers:
1. Julio Bescuer – javelin throw, Palarong Pambansa (National Games), 1989 in Lucena City, Quezon Province
2. Policornia Balobo – 1,500 & 3000 meter run Palarong Pambansa, 1990 in San Fernando, Pampanga
3. Marife Suangue – won five golds in Palarong Pambansa, 1990, San Fernando, Pampanga and the outstanding Western Visayas athlete with the most medal and record breaker in 200 and 400 meter run in the same games
4. Magdalena Gencianeo – 100 meter run Palarong Pambansa, Lucena City, Quezon Province
5. Juvilyn Fernandez – discus throw Palarong Pambansa, 1990

Herman Suizo – gold medalist marathon, 1989 SEA Games, Philippine record holder in 42.196 km. marathon

Judy Joy Pasaporte – champion women’s division, 1991 Philippine Airlines Manila Marathon

William Magahin – 1990 Philippine Lightweight boxing champion


Other noted Ilonggos:
Ernesto M. Gorantes - cyclist
Pedro T. Favila – sprinter
Policornia A. Balobo – sprinter
Naro Cabrera - swimming


Nora E. Deslate – former master teacher from Jaro National High School is a walkathon champion

Martin Soriano (Molo, Iloilo City) – conquered the “Three Seas” : Visayas Sea (from Negros to Ajuy); Guimaras Strait (from Guimaras to Negros) and Iloilo Strait, (Iloilo to Jordan, Guimaras)

Professional players: Yves Dignadice, Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, and Tony Boy “Weng –weng” Espinosa – all from Iloilo have made their names as Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) players

Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena – participated 13th Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand from December 6-20 as their team garnered bronze medal after powerhouse China & South Korea

Barotac Nuevo – garnered the national championship in football in 1998

Sta. Barbara National High School (Sta. Barbara, Iloilo) – garnered national championship in football in 1999.

Iloilo Trivia Tidbits

Prof. Josette Biyo

Pura Villanueva Kalaw – first woman to be crowned Queen of the Philippine Carnival (now Miss Philippines and Binibining Pilipinas) in 1908. She is also one of the pioneer woman suffragist of the country.



Iloilo - having the first public national high school outside Manila.
- Most number of ancient or historical churches (21)
- Is the most educated in the Philippines according to the report in Spain
- Having the first school for boys in Tigbauan
- Greatest number of barangay schools & colleges

Molo having eight (8) colleges
- Called “Athens of the Philippines” because of old structures there and the place were like of those in Athens, Greece

West Visayas State University – one of the best university in the Philippines


UPV (University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo) – the biggest school campus in the Philippines


Cockfighting : Jaro Coliseum – the biggest cockfighting gym in the world

Teatro Malhabour (which was renamed Lyric Theater, King Theater, Empire Theater and eventually Dennis Theater) - one of the earliest theater in Iloilo was opened to the public on July 3, 1908. Named after Felix Malhabour a policeman and a member of the board of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente. (Source: McCoy, Philippine Studies: Culture and Consciousness in a Philippine City, 1982:171)

Mr. Bischoff - a British who was the first to show films in Iloilo starting in 1903. Short features produced by Cinematographo Pastor were screened nightly from 6:30 - 9:30 in the bodega or camarin of Mr. Bischoff in Calle Real. (Source: Nick Deocampo) 


Fine Arts: Jose Mari Chan – got several awards because his soft & melodic voice


Josefa Martinez – wrote the Correct English, one of the first grammar book in the Philippines


Pura Villanueva Kalaw – wrote the first cookbook in the Philippines


Pura Villanueva Kalaw and Sofia de Veyra (native of Arevalo, Iloilo) – both of whom from Iloilo are the first women suffragist in the Philippines


Kuh Ledesma – first Filipina and Ilongga to be a judge at the Miss Universe in 1991 and Lupita Jones of Mexico was declared the winner.


Prof. Josette Biyo (science professor at Philippine Science High School, Iloilo) – the first and only Filipino to be honored by having her surname used to name for a minor planet discovered.
- the first Filipino teacher to be awarded the Outstanding Teacher by INTEL Science Engineering Fair in US.

Philippines Trivia Tidbits

Gemma Cruz – First Filipina woman to win an international beauty pageant competition, Miss International in 1964.


Gloria Diaz – First Filipina woman to win the Miss Universe in 1969.


Espectaculo Scientifico – first movie shown in the Philippines on January 1, 1897
Salon Pertierra, Escolta – first movie theatre in the Philippines


Life of Jose Rizal – first full length film (1911)


Dalagang Bukid – first full length film made by a Filipino Jose Nepomuceno called “Father of the Philippine Movies”


Jovita Fuentes – known as “Nightingale of the Philippines” because of her outstanding performance in several countries and her former boyfriend was President Manuel Roxas and both of them came from Capiz.


May 7, 1899 - First local election held in Baliuag, Bulacan

1907 – First national election.


It was only in the year 1935 when women are allowed to vote when both Pura Villanueva Kalaw and Sofia de Veyra ( first woman suffragists of the Philippines) fight for women’s right to vote.


Juan Bacug – first to be sentenced death penalty by means of modern equipment in 1924 by electrification on electric chair.

Alimodian Town Proper Street Map

The Street Map of Poblacion, Alimodian's Town Capital

Municipality of Alimodian Map

The Map of the Municipality of Alimodian

Alimodian Folk Dances

Bucasoy

   Bucasoy is a favorite dance of the old people of Alimodian, Iloilo.


COSTUME. The girl wears patadyong (native hand woven garment made of hemp used in this case as a skirt) and camisa with soft panuelo over the L shoulder. The boy wears barong tagalong and trousers of any desired color.
MUSIC is divided into two parts: A and B.
COUNT one, two, three to a measure.
FORMATION. Partners face each other about six feet apart. When facing audience, Girls stands at partners right. One to any number of couples may take part in this dance.

INTRODUCTION

Music Introduction
Partners take a three-step turn right in place and bow to each other. Girl holds patadyong, Boy places hands on waist ……………………….. 2 M

I

Music A.
Partners face each other.
(a) Sway balance with a raise R and L. R arm in reverse “T” position, L arm bent forward at shoulder level when going to right and reverse position of arms when going to left side ………… 4 M
(b) Waltz sideward, R and L. Arms in lateral position, moving sideward right and left …………. 2 M
(c) Waltz turn right about in place so that back is toward partner, Girl holding patadyong, Boy’s hands on waist ………………………………………………… 1 M
(d) Step L in place and raise R knee in front at the same time (ct. 1) pause (cts. 2, 3). L arm in reverse “T” position, R arm bent forward at shoulder level …………………………………………. 1 M
(e) Repeat all (a – d), finish facing partner …………………. 8 M

II

Music B
Partners face front.


(a) Starting with R foot, take three steps forward, arms down at sides (cts. 1, 2, 3), point L in front, R arm in reverse “T” position, R arm bent forward at shoulder level (cts. 1, 2, 3) …………………….. 2 M
(b) Repeat (a), starting with L foot. Reverse position of arms ……………………… 2 M
(c) Four touch steps in front, R and L alternately. Start with L arm in reverse “T” position, back of R hand under L elbow. Reverse position of arms every measure ……………………………… 2 M
(d) Repeat all (a-c), going backward in (a) and (b)………………………….. 8 M

III

Music A
Partners face each other.

(a) Waltz R forward and L backward alternately, four times. Swing R arm forward-upward and downward to left side alternately, four times, L hand of Girl holding patadyong, that of Boy is placed on waist ……………………………………………………….. 4 M
(b) Starting with R foot, take three cross waltz steps forward to partner’s place, passing by R shoulders. Girl holds patadyong, Boy places hands on waist ……………………………………… 3 M
(c) Step L forward, turn right about and at the same time point R in front (ct. 1) pause (cts. 2, 3). Hands as in (b)
……………………………. 1 M
(d) Repeat all (a – c) ……………………………………….. 8 M

IV

Music B.
Partners face each other.


(a) Point R foot in front (cts. 1, 2), step R close to L (ct. 3). R arm in reverse “T”position and kumintang, L hand of Girl holding patadyong, that of Boy is placed on waist………………………………. 1 M
(b) Repeat (a) with L foot. Reverse position of arms ……………………... 1 M
(c) Starting with R foot, take three steps forward to be in line with partner by R shoulders, arms down at sides (cts. 1, 2, 3). Point L foot in front and clap hands over L shoulder (ct. 1), pause (cts. 2, 3). Look at partner over R shoulder…………………………. 2 M
(d) Starting with L foot, take three waltz steps forward to partner’s place. Arms in lateral position, moving sideward left and right alternately ………………………………………………. 3 M
(e) Step R forward, turn left about and at the same time point L in front R arm in reverse “T” position, L hand of Girl holding patadyong, that of Boy is placed on waist. (ct. 1), step L close to R foot and pause, arms down at sides. (cts. 2, 3)……………. 1 M
(f) Repeat all (a-e). Finish in proper places…………………. 8 M

V

Music A.
Partners face each other.


(a) Repeat figure I (a) and (b) …………………………… 6 M
(b) Waltz step R forward to meet at center, Girls holds patadyong, Boy places hand on waist ……… 1 M
(c) Step L forward, turn right about and at the same time raise R knee in front (ct. 1), pause (cts. 2, 3). L arm in reverse “T” position after the turn ……………………………………………….. 1 M
(d) Close step sideward right (cts. 1, 2, 3), waltz sideward right (cts. 1, 2, 3). Hands as in (b) ……….... 2 M
(e) Repeat (d), going sideward left……………………………….. 2 M
(f) Starting with R foot, take two waltz step forward to proper places. Hands as in (b)…………………. 2 M
(g) Waltz turn right about to face partner. Hands as in (b) ……………………………………………. 1 M
(h) Step L in place and raise R knee in front (ct. 1), pause (cts. 2, 3). Hands as in (c) …………………….. 1 M

VI

Music B.
Partners face each other.


(a) Starting with R foot, take one step-brush-swing-hop forward (cts. 1, 2, 3). Lunge L forward with R knee slightly bent, to be in line with partner at center by R shoulders (cts. 1, 2, 3). Swing arms forward-upward to overhead. Look at each other over R shoulders ………………………………………… 2 M
(b) Starting with R foot, take two waltz steps forward to partner’s place. Arms in lateral position, moving sideward right and left. Finish with Girl facing audience and Boy, away from audience …………… 2 M
(c) Waltz R forward and L backward. Arms as in Figure III (a) ………………………………… 2 M

Partners face each other
(d) Repeat (c) ………………………………………… 2 M
(e) Repeat all (a-d), going to proper places and finish facing opposite direction in (b) …………………. 8 M

VII

Music A.
Partners face front.


(a) Starting with R foot, take three steps sideward right (cts. 1, 2, 3), point L in front (cts. 1, 2, 3). Girl holds patadyong, Boy places hands on waist ………………………………………… 2 M
(b) Repeat (a), starting with L foot……………………… 2 M
(c) Starting with R foot, take three step-brush-steps in place turning right about. Do not step on L after the brush at the third time. R arm in reverse “T” about. Do not step on L after the brush at the third time. R arm in reverse “T” position. L hand of Girl holding patadyong, that of Boy is placed on waist (3 M). Step L backward and point R in front, reverse position of arms (ct. 1), pause ( cts. 2, 3) ……………………………………………… 8 M
(d) Repeat all (a-c), finish facing each other......……. 8 M

VIII

Music B
Partners face each other.


(a) Repeat Figure (a) …………………………………………4M
(b) Starting with R foot, take three small waltz steps to be in line with partner at center by R shoulders. Arms in lateral position, moving sideward right and left alternately (3M). Step L sideward at the same tie point R in front, arms lateral left (ct. 1), pause (cts. 2, 3) …………………………………… 4 M
(c) Join R hands, L hand of Girl holding patadyong and that of Boy is placed on waist. Starting with R foot, take three small steps forward (cts. 1, 2, 3) and point L in front (cts. 1, 2, 3). Do this once more to complete the turn half-way around clockwise (2M).
Finish at center facing proper places ………………………… 4 M
(d) Drop R hands. Starting with R foot, take two waltz steps forward to proper places. Girl holds patadyong, Boy places hands on waist ………………………………………………… 2 M
(e) Waltz turn right about (use two waltz steps) to face each other. Hands as in (d) ………………………. 2 M

SALUDO

(Bowing)

Music Finale
(a) Starting with R foot, take three steps forward to meet at center, arms down at sides (cts. 1, 2, 3) …………………………………………………………… 1 M
(b) Join R hands, free hands down at sides. Face front, both bow to audience (cts. 1, 2, 3) …………. 2 M

Bucasoy Folk Dance Video