Mighty Magulang: Women of Malolos

Summary

In celebration of Women's Month, the video script highlights the pioneering efforts of 20 women from affluent Chinese-Filipino families in Malolos, Bulacan. In 1888, they petitioned Governor General Valeriano Weyler for a night school to learn Spanish, facing opposition from the Agustinian friars and the Spanish administration. Despite controversy and closure, their initiative marked a milestone in Filipino feminist activism. The script delves into the lives of these influential women, many of whom supported the 1896 revolution and became suffragettes, leaving a lasting impact on Philippine history.

Takeaways

• 📜 On December 1888, 20 women from affluent Chinese-Filipino families in Malolos, Bulacan, petitioned Governor General Valeriano Weyler for permission to open a night school to learn Spanish.
• 😠 The request was met with outrage from the Augustinian friars and the Spanish governor general.
• 🌟 The efforts of these women garnered support from ilustrado reformists like José Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and others.
• 🏫 After public debate, the school opened with conditional approval in February 1889, but faced accusations of immorality and was forced to close in April of the same year.
• 🚩 The women's initiative is recognized as a pivotal event in the development of Filipino feminist activism.
• 📚 The book 'The Women of Malolos' by Nika North Yongsan provides insights into the lives of these women from closely-knit mestizo clans.
• 👭 The 20 signatories shared five surnames: Reyes, Tanchanco, Cantoco, Tiongson, and Uitanco, indicating familial ties and intermarriages among them.
• 🛡️ Many of these women supported their Katipunero relatives during the 1896 Revolution and became active suffragettes in peacetime.
• 👵 Basilia Tyongson, the oldest signatory at 28, and her sisters Agapita, Aleja, and Mercedes, were all part of the historic petition.
• 🏥 Olympia Reyes, the youngest at 12, married Vicente Reyes, and their son José Reyes had a hospital named after him, the Jose A.R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center.
• 💼 Aurea Tanchanco, considered the brightest student, married Dr. Eugenio Hernando, who later became the director of the Bureau of Public Health under President Quezon.
• 🏛️ Alberta Oitanko married Paulino Santos, and their home is now a heritage site and the Museum of the Women of Malolos.

Q & A

What significant event took place on December 1888 in Malolos involving 20 women?

On December 1888, 20 women from prominent Chinese Filipino families of Malolos, Bulacan signed and presented a letter to Governor General Valeriano Weyler, requesting permission to open a night school where they could be taught Spanish.

What was the reaction of the Augustinian friars and the Spanish Governor General to the women's request for a night school?

The request was met with outrage from the Augustinian friars and the Spanish Governor General himself.

Which reformists supported the efforts of the women of Malolos?

The efforts were supported by ilustrado reformists like Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and you go.

When did the night school finally open, and under what conditions?

The night school opened with conditional approval in February 1889.

What accusations led to the closure of the night school in April 1889?

The school was accused by church officials of immoral teaching and of eating meat on days of abstinence, which forced the school to close.

How is the event in Malolos recognized in the context of Filipino history?

The efforts of the women of Malolos are recognized as one of the most important events towards the development of Filipino feminist activism.

Who is Nika North Yongsan and what contribution did he make to the understanding of the women of Malolos?

Nika North Yongsan is the author of the book 'The Women of Malolos,' which provides more information about the lives of these young women from closely knit mestizo clans.

What commonality did the 20 signatories of the letter share in terms of their surnames?

The 20 signatories shared five surnames: Reyes, Tanchanco, Cantoco, Tiongson, and Uitankoi.

How were the women of Malolos related to each other?

Many of the women were related by blood, marriage, and friendship. The Reyeses and Tanchancos were cousins, and some ended up marrying brothers or cousins of the other girls.

What role did the women play during the Revolution of 1896?

Many of the women helped their Katipunero fathers, brothers, and cousins during the Revolution of 1896.

Can you provide an example of one of the signatories and her contributions?

Basilia Tyongson, the oldest signatory at 28, was the daughter of an anti-friar gubernatorial of Malolos. Her sisters also signed the historic letter, and she was active in suffragette movements during peacetime.

What is the significance of the Jose A. R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center?

The medical center is named after Jose Reyes, the son of Olympia Reyes, who was the youngest signatory of the letter. He became a doctor, highlighting the impact of the women's educational efforts.

What notable achievement is attributed to Hermene H. Reyes?

Hermene H. Reyes, another son of Olympia Reyes, along with four others, established the Makati Stock Exchange in 1963.

Who was Aureka Tanchanko and what was her connection to the Spanish Army?

Aureka Tanchanko was considered the brightest student in the women's school in Malolos. She married Dr. Eugenio Hernando, who later became the director of the Bureau of Public Health under President Quezon.

What is the significance of the Oitanko Santos Home today?

The Oitanko Santos Home, where Alberta Oitankoi married Paulino Santos, is now a heritage site and has become the Museum of the Women of Malolos.