Museum honoring Tandang Sora to be built in Quezon City
A museum dedicated to Filipino revolutionary Melchora Aquino, more known as "Tandang Sora," is set to be built in Quezon City in the future.
According to a report by the Philippine Information Agency, the Quezon City government is currently working on establishing a women’s museum that will feature the life works of the 107-year-old heroine, which will highlight her contributions during the 1896 Philippine Revolution.
The establishment will also display other notable works of different women in history "who have helped shape the collective Filipino identity."
The report added that the local government has chosen to dub the museum in Tandang Sora's name as she is "the epitome of women’s empowerment and her efforts undeniably led to many women rightfully earning their place in history."
"[It] is a powerful and meaningful choice that reflects a commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and celebrating the invaluable contributions of women in the Philippines," the report stated.
Aside from this, Tandang Sora is also closely associated with Quezon City, choosing her name for the museum relevant to its residents.
The museum aims to have her life story serve as an educational tool to teach visitors, especially the younger generation, about the difficulties women have faced in the past and how they managed to triumph over them—something that has been often "overlooked and underrepresented in historical narratives."
Tandang Sora was recognized for aiding members of the revolutionary organization "Katipunan" led by Andres Bonifacio by providing them shelter, food, and medical assistance. Despite being imprisoned by the Spaniards when she was caught, she refused to reveal where Bonifacio and the others were hiding.
She eventually passed away in 1919 at the age of 107. Her remains lie at the Tandang Sora National Shrine.
The Quezon City government has yet to detail when the museum will be built. The city previously honored her by naming a main road in her name, Tandang Sora Avenue, as well as launching the "Gawad Tandang Sora Award" which is given to female residents who became a reflection of her virtues.