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Saturday, May 29, 2010

Iloilo City - The Queen Mother of the South




                 by  Tessa C. Mauricio The Manila Times




           “Welcome to the Queen City of the South!” A visitor to Iloilo City is bound to receive this greeting several times—at the airport tarmac, even in quaint, little pastry shops where the city’s famed barquillos and galletas are made. Eight out of 10 such visitors would then most likely scan the immediate vicinity, and check if the plane had landed in Cebu instead. And when the visitor is finally convinced that the sights and sounds are distinctly Iloilo’s, the inevitable question would follow: “How could there be two Queen Cities of the South?” “The original Queen City is really Iloilo; not Cebu,” says the first-ever woman Tourism secretary of the Philippines; a true-blooded Ilongga by the name of Narzalina Z. Lim. And the manner by which she and her kababayans would make the claim— in the typical melodious Ilonggo voice and an amiable smile—can well, in fact, settle the matter immediately. But of course, facts need to be laid down, lest a conflict ensues between the two Visayan cities. Iloilo’s reign Iloilo, or Irong-Irong as it was called before the Spanish invasion, has always been a prosperous province. Its rich agricultural lands and numerous ports have been the major factors toward its continued progress. By the mid-1800s, Iloilo emerged as the biggest center of commerce and trade in the Visayas and Mindanao; second only to Manila. Fast forward to the 1900s—the establishment of roads, a railway line, an airport, and the surge of the sugar industry in between—Iloilo rightly received her crown as the Queen City of the South. And not only did she prosper in agriculture and commerce, but she also regaled the rest of the nation with grand architectural structures, superior educational establishments, the most glittering of socials, and lively cultural festivities. Soon, Her Majesty’s able sons became the country’s most important business pioneers, among them, Eugenio Lopez, Gregorio Araneta, and a host of other prominent family names, who reaped sweet success from sugar planting. Iloilo, of course, was proud of her children, but there was a price to be paid. While these entrepreneurs and hacien*deros continued to spread their wings—whether to find more land in Bacolod, or to set up industries in Cebu and Manila—the dynamic progress that had long been synonymous to Iloilo eventually plateaued, and dulled the luster of Her Majesty’s crown. Thereafter, Cebu was anointed as the new Queen of the Visayas. Her glorious past, alive and well Despite Iloilo’s “dethronement,” a visit to the former Queen City of the South would explain why her sons and daughters refuse to let go of her previous title. She is still majestic, what with rich remnants of her glorious past that stand proud to this very day. If Luzon boasts of Vigan as its Heritage City, then the Visayas should do the same of Iloilo. Spread around the province are ancient churches and vintage homes dating as far back as the 1800s. Her churches. Truly breathtaking—and perhaps Iloilo’s greatest treasure—is the Miag-ao Fortress Church. Built in 1786, the church is included in the Unesco World Heritage List, and remains to be one of the most photographed landmarks in the Philippines. While Miag-ao’s yellow stone structure is reminiscent of the great temples of Aztec art, the church’s details are unique for they bear touches of the local culture. The facade, for example, displays an intricate carving of St. Christopher with the boy Jesus on his shoulders, enjoying the shade of a bountiful palm tree. This very Filipino setting is guarded by two dissimilar bell towers, which according to history, once served as lookout points for piratical attacks in the province. The church of Sta. Barbara is another well-restored old-world structure outside the city proper, while the cathedrals of Molo and Jaro near the center, are also crowd drawers. They too are architectural feats, made more interesting by unique concepts: Molo Cathedral is home to 16 statues of all-female saints, while Jaro houses an all-male counterpart. Her homes. The old world feel of Iloilo does not end with her numerous churches. The Jaro District, which gave birth to the country’s first-ever millionaire’s lane, delights tourists with vintage houses at every corner. Most enchanting is the 200-year-old Javellana ancestral home, whose ownership is passed on to the eldest child of every succeeding generation. Now under the care of solar power entrepreneur Robert “Pan*chito” Lopez Puckett, the restored Spanish house of wood and stone is referred to as “Casa Mari*quit”—Mariquit being Panchito’s grandmother, a third-generation Javellana and wife to former vice president Fernando Lopez Sr. Panchito employed the services of restoration experts from Intramuros when he inherited the house in the late eighties, and they did excellent job in polishing Mariquit’s dark wood floors and balustrades, her wrought iron ventanillas, and colorful stained glass windows. Lining Jaro’s main road, meanwhile, is Nely’s Garden, whose long, tree-lined drive leads to a decades’ old white mansion, the ancestral home of the wealthy Lopez clan; as well as the Boat House, a multilevel art-deco-inspired abode, which serves as the vacation house of the late Eugenio Lopez Sr.’s brood. Her story. What enhances the pleasure of visiting Iloilo’s ancient treasures are the stories that her children are always eager to share at every destination. How Miag-ao became home to refugees during the war; the miracle of Molo Cathedral’s Virgin Mary when El Niño hit the province; and how Panchito’s grandfather happily leased the beautiful Javellana home to a school for a mere P300 in the mid-eighties. These and more are the stories that have sparked a renewed vigor in the Ilonggos to give back the city her crown. “When we look around us,” they say, “we realize she never did lose her crown for Iloilo continues to be as rich as ever.” What she is, without a doubt, is the Queen Mother of the South. She gave birth to many economies in the Visayas, and she has, all these years, kept her treasures alive and well. The city’s sons and daughters More than ever, the Ilonggos are hopeful that they will soon restore their beloved city to her old glory. They find inspiration in the work of reelected mayor Jerry Trenas, who since his first term, has left no stones unturned in ensuring that Iloilo continues to prosper. Trenas has rightly identified tourism as a potent force in furthering the city’s economy, and restoring the distinction she once had in the Visayas. Thus far, the forward-thinking mayor has fueled an equally dynamic group of Ilong*gos to promote Iloilo as a rich tourist destination, as well as a city that can ably host international and national conventions. Formed only in the beginning of the year, the Iloilo City Convention Bureau (ICCB) already shows much promise in fulfilling the task with Ma. Teresa S. Sarabia, Ph.D as president, former Tourism secretary Narzalina Lim as marketing representative and consultant, and representatives from Iloilo’s major hotels as members. “The group is working together to come up with competitive rates and packages that will entice both tourists and those looking for convention sites to consider Iloilo, for the city truly has a lot of potential,” Lim asserts. “We have the facilities to cater to large convention groups, who after business is out of the way, can savor the original La Paz Batchoy; shop for lace and sinamay; visit the old churches and houses; enjoy young attractions like Casa Fiametta where they can go horseback riding or trekking; or even as a starting point for a trip to the beaches of Guimaras and Boracay.” Gifted with such inviting possibilities, the ICCB and the people of Iloilo City are all set to welcome visitors to the province, and put her back on the proverbial map. And with sons and daughters like the members of the ICCB, there should be no reason why the original Queen City of the South cannot shine as bright as before in the island of Visayas. The ICCB would like to thank Cebu Pacific for sponsoring the recent media familiarization tour to Iloilo City.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Leading Filipino Women Table Of Reference

Name               Parents or Guardian        Dates of Birth & Death            Birthplace
 
Josefa Abiertas          Guillerma Aday                      1894
                                                                    December 25, 1922    Capiz, Capiz


Melchora Aquino        Juan Aquino                    January 7, 1811
                                  Valentina Hanule                 March 2, 1919   Caloocan, Rizal


Teodora Alonzo       Lorenzo Alberto Alonzo    November 15, 1827
                                    Brigida Quinto               August 23, 1911  Calamba, Laguna


Librada Avelino          Pedro Avelino                 January 17, 1873
                                  Francisca Mangali         November 9, 1934  Pandacan, Rizal


Maria Carpena         Camilo Carpena                January 13, 1887
                                   Maria Evangelista           March 14, 1915  Santa Rosa, Laguna


Marina Dizon                Jose Dizon                    July 18, 1876
                                  Roberta Bartolome        October 30, 1950  Trozo, Manila

Josefa Llanes Escoda         Gabriel Llanes                   September 20, 1898
                                   Mercedes Madamba      August, 1944     Dingras, Ilocos Norte


Praxedes Julia Fernandez                              July 21, 1871
                                                                   August 22, 1919           Manila


Leona Florentino     Don Marcelino Tolentino    April 19, 1849
                                    Isabel Florentino          October 4, 1884   Vigan, Ilocos Sur


Maria Josefa Gabriela     Don Tomas Millan    March 19, 1731
   Silang                                                      September 20, 1763   Santa, Ilocos Sur


Fausta Labrador          Policarpio Labrador     December 19, 1858
                                     Nemesia Zarzadias    September 14, 1942  Lucena, Quezon


Teresa Magbanua          Juan Magbanua           October 13, 1868
                                      Alejandria Ferariz          August 1947        Pototan, Iloilo


Pelagia Mendoza       Leoncio Mendoza              June 9, 1867
                                 Evarista Gotianking          March 13, 1939      Pateros, Rizal


Gregoria de Jesus-      Nicolas de Jesus            May 9, 1875
Nakpil                      Baltazara Alvarez-         March 15, 1943       Caloocan, Rizal
                                       Francisco


Maria Y. Orosa        Simplicio Agoncillo-       November 29, 1893
                                        Orosa                  February 13, 1945    Taal, Batangas
                                Juliana Ylagan


Aurora A. Quezon    Pablo Aragon             February 19, 1888
                               Zenaida Molina          April 28, 1949   Baler, Tayabas (now
                                                                                       Quezon Province)


Margarita Roxas     Domingo Roxas           July 20, 1815
                               Maria Ubado          November 1, 1869    San Miguel, Manila


Olivia Salamanca    Jose Salamanca          July 1, 1889
                                Olivia Diaz               July 19, 1913    San Roque, Manila


Trinidad Tecson     Rafael Tecson         November 18, 1848
                             Monica S. Perez      January 28, 1928      San Miguel, Bulacan


Maria Tinawin                                  September 2, 1895
                                                         April 22, 1948       Gapan, Nueva Ecija


Felicing Tirona                                  June 9, 1903
                                                        April 29, 1952          Imus, Cavite


Asuncion Ventura  Honorio Ventura            July 30, 1853
                               Cornelia Horcoma-   November 22, 1923  Bacolor, Pampanga
                                 Bautista


Sofia de Veyra      Santiago Reyes        September 30, 1876
                           Eulalia Tiaozon          January 1, 1958       Arevalo, Iloilo

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Glossary

Agraciada A girl who works in a Catholic convent school for her board and lodging
Alcalde Mayor A Spanish official who held a position like that of a judge of the court of first instance.
Balintawak A place just outside of Manila where Bonifacio and his men started the revolution.
Capitan del Pueblo Captain of the town; a Spanish official whose position was like that of town mayor today.
Carillas Public shows, largely musical or puppet shows.
Cartilla A small pamphlet used for learning to read. It contains the alphabet and syllable of words.
Comparza Trozo. A group of musicians in Tondo. It was popular during the later part of the Spanish days. Trozo is that part of Manila now better known as Magdalena-Benavides section.
Compania Infantil A society that gave musical shows in various places
Counsellors Advisers.
Colegio Literally means college. A colegio is a school for girls and young boys. Many of the Catholic private schools are called colegios.
“Darak” Rice bran; broken coat of wheat, rice, or other cereal.
Death March The trip of the Filipino prisoners from Bataan to the prison camp at Capas
Diligent Hard-working; industrious
Enameling A covering of glass-like substance
Exiles Persons who are not allowed to live in their own country.
Guardia Civiles. Spanish soldiers.
Jesus’ Sacred Heart College A college in Lucena founded be Hermana Fausta Labrador
Insignias Emblem or badges on sleeves or collars showing rank or connection with some organization.
Jota A kind of dance
Katipunan A secret society founded by Bonifacio for the purpose of fighting against the Spanish government.
Kempeitai Japanese secret police
Maltreat To abuse cruelly.
Margarita Lopez Owner of a private school where Librada Avelino went
Marianas A group of islands in the Pacific. Tandang Sora was exiled there.
Martyr A person who chooses to suffer or die for a cause.
Mausoleum A large tomb
McCullough The name of the American boat on which General Aguinaldo returned from Hong Kong
Miguel Vicos A Spanish mestiza who shot Diego Silang
Missionaries Persons sent to various places for religious work.
Mundos Madrid A Spanish newspaper.
Moral crusader A person who fights wrong doings.
Moro-moro A kind of stage play usually based on the fight between the Christians and the Mohammedans. Also the name of a play for children, consisting of tugging and dodging.
Mourn To express sorrow for the dead
Novitiate A person preparing for a religious life
Orphanage A home for those who have no parents
Palanan A town in Isabela province where General Aguinaldo retreated when pursued by the Americans.
Pasong Tamo A place in Balintawak; well-known battleground during the Philippine Revolution.
Fort Santiago An old Spanish fort where Filipino rested by the Japanese were imprisoned
Plaque Marker made of either a piece of wood or thin piece of metal
Pension An amount of money given to a person by the government in recognition for services in the people.
Philippines Anti-Leprosy Society Society which looks after the welfare of lepers.
Purity Freedom from any wrong motive. Cleanliness
Proclaimed. Made known to the public
Quiles A horse-drawn vehicle quite popular among the rich during the Spanish days.
Revolution An armed movement of the people for the purpose of changing the government
Sculptor A person who carves or models figures from clay, chalk, marble, or bronze
Senators Members of the senate, usually the upper house of a legislative body
Social Justice Fair deal for the poor. It usually means providing measures for the improvement of their living conditions.
Talibongs Sharp, big bolos.
Tenant A farmer who tills a piece of land for its owner
Teniente del barrio An official very much like a municipal councilor today
Tuberculosis A disease affecting various parts of the body, oftentimes the lungs. Tuberculosis of the lungs is called consumption.
Vice An undesirable habit like gambling, drinking or cursing
Walang Sugat Title of a play written by Severino Reyes
Welfare Condition of health, happiness, plenty
Woman Suffrage The right of women to vote and hold public office
Women’s Temperance Union A society the principal purpose of which is stop drinking

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Leading Filipino Women: Sofia de Veyra


Sofia de Veyra
Great Civic Leader
(1876 - 1958)

          Sofia de Veyra succeeded in several fields of activity which greatly benefited her country. She gained fame for her work in education, social and civic improvement, and religion. Throughout her busy life for more than half a century, her family remained as her most precious responsibility. In the words of President Elpidio Quirino, Mrs. De Veyra was “the ideal Maria Clara of present-day Philippines.”


Early Life and Education
           On September 30, 1876 in the little town of Arevalo, Iloilo, a baby girl was born to a couple – Santiago Reyes and Eulalia Tiaozon. The child was named Sofia. Little Sofia was a bright child. At the age of eight her brilliant intellect was noticed by all those around her.
           Sofia received her early schooling in a private Spanish school in Sta. Ana, Iloilo, conducted by the sisters of former Chief Justice Ramon Avancena. She worked in the school for her tuition, board, and lodging.
          She attended no other school after studying in Sta. Ana. Her “higher education” was obtained through self-study.


The Educator
          Changes in Philippine history were to affect young Sofia’s life. After the United States won the Philippines from Spain, American teachers were sent to our country. One of these teachers happened to board in Sofia’s home. Sofia quickly took advantage of the presence of this American teacher. She asked the American lady to teach her arithmetic and English. The teacher taught Sofia addition and subtraction, which were the first lessons she mastered, and gave her daily drills in phonetics and grammar.
          Sofia was soon appointed a teacher in Saravia, Negros Occidental. After a year she was appointed matron of the girl’s dormitory connected with the Bacolod High School. From Bacolod, Sofia was transferred to the Philippine Normal School dormitory in 1905 as assistant matron. Two years later, she founded with Miss Mary E. Colemar, one of the most useful institutions in the country – a training school for nurses. She also became the secretary of the Association Feminist, one of the earliest women’s societies.


Sofia’s Marriage
           In 1907, Sofia married Jaime C. de Veyra, then governor of Leyte. He was the first Filipino in the country to get that position. Mr. de Veyra later became the resident commissioner for the Philippines in the United States. He served in this position from 1917 to 1923. While in America, Mrs. De Veyra told the American people about the Philippines. She delivered lectures to convince Americans that their good system of government in the Philippines would be a fine example to other people in the Far East. In this way she helped her husband maintain good relations between the Philippines and the United States.


Mrs. De Veyra’s Social Work
           Sofia de Veyra was one of our first women to engage in work to improve the condition of the people. During her time it was not yet the practice for women to have activities outside the home. Mrs. De Veyra proved that a woman could work to improve her community without neglecting her home. Hers was an ideal home life, as will be described further on.
          Wherever there was social work to be done, Mrs. de Veyra was there. In 1917, she became president of the “Proteccion de la Infancia,” an organization formed to provide charity services to undernourished babies. She helped organize the National Federation of Women’s clubs, of which she was the president from 1913 to 1936. In 1928, she was a delegate to the Pan-Pacific Women’s Conference in Honolulu.


Service to Her Country
          Mrs. de Veyra’s accomplishments were rewarded with greater recognition by her country of her ability. She was appointed to post after post in the service of her country. These positions took much of her time and often there was no pay for her services.
         From 1923 to 1949, she served as a member of the governing body of the Philippine Red Cross. She became the vice-president of Catholic Women’s League. She was also appointed to serve on the board of review for moving pictures from 1923 to 1949 and on the parole and pardon boards.
        Mrs. Aurora Quezon and, later, Mrs. Trinidad Roxas, as First Lady of the country, appointed Mrs. de Veyra as social secretary at Malacanan.
        In 1929, Mrs. de Veyra became the vice-president of the Centro Escolar University, a position she occupied until her death. After the first world war, she received a medal from President Wilson for her gallant Red Cross war work. In July, 1951, she was decorated by President Quirino for her outstanding contribution to social welfare. She was cited as “Homemaker and Civic Leader of the Year.”


The Ideal Mother
         In serving her country well, Sofia de Veyra never neglected her family. She brought up her children as god-fearing, responsible persons who later on took their places as good and useful citizens in the community. She was not only a good mother. She was also a good mother-in-law.
        “In the midst of her busy life,” a daughter-in-law said, “she had time for the family of her married son. She would take time to clip articles and hints on how to improve home life and child care. These clippings she gave to me. There was no place in her disposition for anger, criticism or gossip. She gave all her time to religion, education, civic work and affection for her family and friends.”


Her Last Years
        Sofia de Veyra lived a long and useful life. Old age did not slow down her civic activities. During her last years, she took part in the activities of different civic organizations.
        So when Sofia de Veyra died on January 1, 1958, the whole country mourned the loss of a great woman.
        These were the words of tribute that the President of the Philippines released to the press upon her death: “Mrs. Sofia de Veyra was the embodiment of all the desirable qualities that a true Filipinas should possess. The performance of her duties as an exemplary mother who reared God and country-loving children did not hamper her from doing her other duties to her countrymen, by serving them devotedly in the field of education, religious work and social service. She lived a noble and honorable life and thus she died. Her death is just like the passing away of some sweet music which we will long remember, because in her life she had done much to spread sweetness and light.”

Friday, April 2, 2010

Leading Filipino Women: Felicing Tirona


Felicing Tirona
A Leader in the Fine Arts
(1903 - 1952)

             Music, drama or acting, and ballet belong to the fine arts. What we do along the fine arts contribute to the culture and progress of our country. Felicing Tirona was a Filipino woman who promoted the fine arts and established centers of study, making these arts available


The Bright Student
          Felicing Tirona belonged to a family of educators. She was born in Imus, Cavite on June 9, 1903. Little Felicing grew up to bring credit to her well known family of teachers. She finished her primary grades in Imus as valedictorian. She graduated also with first honors from the University of the Philippines High School.
Felicing then entered the College of Law of the University of the Philippines. As a law student, she won honors after honors. She won the silver medal at the annual oratorical contest of the College of Law. She got a prize offered for the best composition on the life of Chief Justice Cayetano S. Arellano. She graduated with honors, cum laude, from the College of Law. In the bar examinations in 1925, she got one of the ten highest grades.


Beauty and Brains
          Felicing easily became known as one of the most gifted Filipino women. She was beautiful and intelligent. But she had more than beauty and brains. She had also industry and perseverance.
         She now developed her talents in acting. She acted with great success in many dramas. She also wrote articles for the English section of the Spanish paper La Mujer. In 1927, she went to the United States to study voice and drama. Afterwards, she went to Europe to continue these studies.


A Leader of Fine Arts
        When Felicing Tirona returned to the Philippines she applied at once what she had learned abroad. She prepared two musical presentations called “The Leap Year Fantasy” and “The Story of Man.” Then, she suddenly became very ill. However, sickness did not discourage her. From her sickbed, she directed the two musical plays. She also continued her work of building up the fine arts in her country.
         During World War II, she established the Philippine Conservatory of Music of the Philippine Women’s University and later on the College of Music and Arts. Music, ballet, drama and painting were taught at this college. She also formed a voice clinic where many studied to become opera singers. In spite of her continued illness this admirable woman found time to write a book, “Training of a Singer.”
         Death, at last, took her on April 29, 1952.


Honors Won
         In recognition of her contribution to the fine arts, the Manila Music Lover’s Society listed Felicing Tirona in the honor roll of “Outstanding Musicians” of 1950. In 1951, the College Editors Guild gave her an award for her contribution to the growth of the fine arts. In the silver jubilee of the College of Liberal Arts of the Philippine Women’s University, she was cited as the ideal woman who personified the fine arts. After her death, during the sixth celebration of the Philippine Republic on July 4, 1952, she received an award for her “advancement of music and the fine arts.”

Leading Filipino Women: Maria L. Tinawin


Maria L. Tinawin
The Brave Nurse
(1895 - 1948)

          The name of Maria L. Tinawin is one of the most honored names in the history of nursing in the Philippines. She held many positions of great responsibility in different organizations. She carried out each of these responsibilities with a willing heart and willing hands.


Her Early Training
          Maria L. Tinawin was born on September 2, 1895 in Gapan, Nueva Ecija. She finished her primary grades in her hometown after which she went to Manila and enrolled in the Philippine Normal School. While studying here Maria met many student nurses, for in those days the students of the Training School for Nurses took some subjects in the Philippine Normal School.
Maria soon decided to be a nurse. As a student nurse, she excelled in many school activities and was often included in the honor roll and Efficiency Committee. She was especially good in operation room work. When she graduated in 1915, she was one of the twelve ranking graduates.


Early Career As A Nurse
          Maria first worked under the Bureau of Health as head nurse at the San Lazaro Hospital. In 1918, she transferred to the Bontoc Hospital in the Mountain Province. Shortly after, she returned to the San Lazaro Hospital and directed the hospital diet.
In 1919, desiring to continue her studies, she left her work in the hospital and sailed for the United States. Her trip was not financed by the government. Maria studied in the United States as a working student. She worked as a private nurse in California and studied Public Health Nursing in the University of California. Then she went to New York and worked in the Manhattan Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital and in the Flower Hospital as Charge Nurse. She did some field work as an employee of the Henry Street Settlement and also finished a summer course in administration and field supervision in Teacher’s College, Columbia University.


Her Red Cross Work
         Maria’s good record and work caught the attention of the American Red Cross. She was offered the position of Red Cross supervising nurse of the Philippine Chapter of the American Red Cross. She accepted the offer and began her Red Cross work in 1922.
         Her work included supervising the Red Cross nurses in Manila and in the provinces, training new Red Cross nurses, and teaching home hygiene and care of the sick at home. She travelled all over the Philippines teaching the simple rules of health hygiene. In her Red Cross work she had to serve in times of disaster. She was on duty in the Cagayan disaster of 1924, in the Batangas flood of 1926, in the Tondo fire of 1927, in the cholera epidemic of Iloilo in 1930, and other similar calamities.
          The American Red Cross rewarded her for her excellent work by appointing her as acting Director of Nurses of the Philippine Chapter.


The Great Nurse in Peace
          Maria tirelessly worked to improve the nursing profession. She started a news sheet on nursing called “Message of the Public Health Nurse.” She represented the nursing profession and the Philippines in conferences in other countries. These were the International Council of Nurses Congress held at Montreal, Canada in 1929, and another one held in London in 1934.


The Brave Nurse in War
          Both in times of peace and in time of war, Maria showed her leadership and unselfishness in serving people. When the war broke out in 1941, she gathered civilian nurses for the U.S. Army to serve on the mercy ship “Mactan,” which evacuated wounded soldiers to Australia.
         When the American liberation forces entered Manila in February, 1945, she was on the south side of the Pasig River. Under fire of the enemy she trawled towards the river and crossed in a small banca to the north side where the American troops had gathered. Then she gathered nurses to serve in emergency hospitals and internment camps where the freed American prisoners had been brought.
         Maria Tinawin was awarded a medal of honor in September, 1946, by General Douglas MacArthur for her services to the soldiers of Bataan and Corregidor and for the prisoners of war at the San Tomas internment camp.


Maria’s Last Days
          The health of the brave nurse, however, was now deteriorating. Her hard work had resulted in her suffering from acute diabetes and high blood pressure. In 1945, she resigned from the Red Cross but continued serving the nursing profession. She died on April 22, 1948.
          Maria Tinawin should be remembered for being a great leader in the nursing profession. In many instances she endangered her life in order to be of service. Although she came from a wealthy family, she gave up a life of comfort in order to serve in remote places like Bontoc in the Mountain Province.
          Truly, Maria Tinawin dedicated all her life to her country and her people.

Leading Filipino Women: Marina Dizon


Marina Dizon
Katipunera
(1876 - 1950)

        During the Philippine Revolution many men and women endured hardships to carry on our struggles for the freedom of our country. One of these brave women was Marina Dizon.


Marina As A Girl
       Marina Dizon came from a patriotic family. Her father, Jose Dizon, was one of the patriotic leaders of Cavite. He gave up his life for his country. He was one of the 13 martyrs executed by the Spanish officials in 1897.
       Marina spent her childhood in Trozo, Manila. She was a bright girl and delighted her teachers with her intelligence. Among her early teachers were Maestra Aniceta Cabrera and Guadalupe Reyes. They taught her useful and interesting things about the Philippines. Marina was fond of natural geography and history.


Marina Joins the Katipunan
       Marina grew up to be a very pretty woman. She married Jose Turiano Santiago. Her husband was one of Andres Bonifacio’s men in the Katipunan.
       When women were allowed to join the Katipunan, Marina lost no time in becoming a member. She worked with Gregoria de Jesus, the wife of Andres Bonifacio. Some historians say that Marina was the president of the Women’s Section of the Katipunan.
       Marina, like Gregoria de Jesus, kept important papers of the Katipunan. These papers were lists of the members of the secret society.


Marina’s Life of Danger
       Then the Katipunan was discovered by the government officials. The Revolution started soon after. Marina with her husband had to change their home many times as the government soldiers were after her. She had to change her name too.
       She and her husband fled to Meycawayan. From there they went to the Cordillera Mountains to hide. They stayed in safety in Tarlac for some time.
       During one of these flights, at a railroad station in Manila, Marina was almost captured by the Guardia Civil. She did not lose her head. She ran to the toilet at the back of the railroad station and burned the important papers she had with her. In this way she saved the lives of the Katipuneros who were listed on those papers.


Marina’s Later Days
       With her patriotic duties, Marina was also able to raise a big family. She had many children. These were among her teachings to them: “Dress simply. Save a part of what you earn. Study your lessons well. Practice all good Filipino customs.”
       After the revolution, Marina devoted her life to bringing up her children. She also continued her violin playing. She was able to see her dream of a free Philippines come true when our country was given independence by the United States on July 4, 1946. Marina Dizon died on October 30, 1950.