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Mga Apo ni Tandang Sora Foundation
by Domingo B. Natividad V

Josephine Geronimo, chairperson of the “Mga Apo ni Tandang Sora Foundation,” requested President Benigno S. Aquino III and House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte to set a national holiday for the “Ina ng Himagsikan,” Tandang Sora.

In her speech during the bicentennial celebration of the birth of Tandang Sora on Friday, Geronimo said she is happy that finally her grandmother’s remains have returned ‘home’ to a newly built Tandang Sora Shrine in Banlat, Quezon City â€" her birth and death place.

In the same speech, Geronimo formally conveyed the request of the heroine’s grandchildren, seeking for the declaration of January 6 every year as the “Tandang Sora Day.”

She told PIA-NCR, in an interview, that “maganda naman ang ginawa niya sa ating bayan (she did good deeds to help this country) that deserves a day of remembrance and enlistment in the Philippine calendar).”

Geronimo also pointed out that her grandmother is a “national heroine.” National heroes Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio, who were also instrumental to the nation’s freedom, both have their day of remembrance as national holidays.

Once in place, she also said the national holiday for Tandang Sora will usher in more people to the Shrine to celebrate her birthday.

Born on January 6, 1812 in Barrio Banlat, Balintawak, Caloocan (now Banlat, Quezon City), Tandang Sora, whose real name is Melchora Aquino, supported the revolutionaries by providing food, medicine, and shelter during the Philippine revolution.

She provided comfort and support to the Katipuneros, at the risk of courting the ire of authorities. She was arrested and exiled despite the fact that she was nearing 90 years old.She died at age 107 on February 20, 1919.

The “Mother of the Philippine Revolution” was buried at the Mausoleum of the Veteranos de la Revolucion in the Manila North Cemetery. Later, her remains were moved to Himlayang Pilipino Park in Quezon City and remained there for 42 years.

Basin ma approve ni kay Aquino man apelyido ni Melchora...

Melchora Aquino was the image in the 5 centavos coin. Wala namay singko sentabos karon.