Filipina heroes of the past have found a new home to shelter their memories and historic deeds with the first-ever women’s museum, Tandang Sora Museum, in Quezon City (QC) officially launched last February 19.
The museum was named after Melchora Aquino, better known as ‘Tandang Sora,” a Filipino revolutionary acclaimed as the ‘Mother of the Philippine Revolution’ when she opened her doors for the Katipuneros who sought refuge and medical care. Hence, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte shared that Aquino’s birthplace in Banlat Road Pasong Tamo, was the most fitting location to house the museum.
Present on the inauguration night was women’s advocate and Senator, Risa Hontiveros. She expressed her delight over such a milestone, that finally, the women of Philippine history now have a rightful place to commemorate their valiant resolve for the country. “Sa wakas [finally], the stories of our women now have a home,” she expressed.
Hontiveros added, “Having this physical display and documentation of our women’s stories is an essential part of keeping our heritage alive, of protecting our collective memory as a people.”
Similarly, Belmonte echoed the need for establishing such an initiative that ultimately brings the tangible aspect of history in one place, “Sa ibang mga bansa, including developed nations, and our neighbors here in Asia, a women’s museum stands as an integral part of their culture and being [In other countries],” she shared.
Sandra Torrijos, the museum’s curator divulged that the Tandang Sora museum was three decades in the making. Torrijos started to “dream” and envision such a place in the Philippines when she first encountered a women’s museum on a visit to Germany back in 1993. “Magmula noon ‘di na ko mapakali. Sabi ko, kailangan mayroon din ang Pilipinas niyan [Since then, I couldn’t be at ease. I said to myself, the Philippines needs to have that too],” she said.
True enough, the newly-opened museum aimed to showcase the strides of Filipina women throughout history. The stories of iconic figures such as Gregoria de Jesus, Teresa Magbanua, Concepcion Felix de Calderon, and Pura Villanueva Kalaw, are also elaborately displayed inside.
The museum is now open to welcome visitors with free admission for the month of February and will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays, from 9 am to 4 pm.
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