Aquino, Melchora, << uh KEE noh, mehl KOHR ah >> (1812-1919), was a Filipino patriot who, despite her advanced age, actively supported Philippine efforts to win independence from Spain. She was hailed as “the Mother of the Katipunan,” a secret revolutionary society formed in the 1890’s, because she gave support and supplies to the revolutionists.
Aquino provided food, medical supplies, and refuge to the revolutionaries, offering her small store in Banilad, Caloocan, as a meeting place. She was known as Tandang Sora (Old Melchora) because she was already in her eighties when the revolution broke out in 1896. News of her connections with the Katipunan spread quickly, and the Spaniards became suspicious of her activities. A Filipino spy revealed to the Spaniards that the Katipunan were holding secret meetings in her house. Out of fear for their safety, her family fled to Novaliches, Quezon City. Her house was burned down by the Spanish police. On Aug. 29, 1896, the Spaniards captured and imprisoned her.
Aquino resisted Spanish attempts to get information from her regarding the Katipunan, remaining silent during her interrogations and trial. On Sept. 2, 1896, she was deported to Guam with more than 100 other exiles charged with rebellion. She was placed under house arrest in the home of Don Justo Dunca, a Filipino who was sympathetic to her cause. Aquino was freed and allowed to return to the Philippines on Feb. 26, 1903.
Melchora Aquino was born on Jan. 6, 1812. She married Fulgencio Ramos, a cabeza de barangay (village leader). She died on Feb. 20, 1919.
