Celebrating Philippines’ Unsung Heroes
The Philippines has been through a lot of wars and battles. We won but before that, we have lost countless times. We celebrate and commemorate the struggles of our ancestors who fought for our freedom. However, this time we will turn our focus to the heroes who are not familiar to many. History was only passed down through lesser-known books. These unsung heroes get hardly recognition because most of them fought their battles in their respective provinces.
Let the story of the unsung heroes be told!
Trinidad Tecson
Trinidad Tecson, popularly known as the Mother of Biak-na-Bato, became the first Filipina to take part in Sanduguan or sacred blood compact. In 1895 and at the age of 47, she joined the Katipunan women’s chapter. Tecson is one of the few women who actually fought side-by-side with men for the country’s freedom from the Spanish colonizers. She also led a group of Filipino women who helped injured Filipino soldiers.
Mariano Trias
Recognized as the first de facto Vice President of the Philippines, Mariano Trias has been known for leading the attacks against Spanish forces in Laguna and in the first uprising in Cavite. In August 1896, before the revolution began, he joined the Katipunan and became an active propagandist in Silang and Kawit. Moreover, Trias served as the Secretary of War during the Revolutionary Government.
Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio
Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio, also known as Aling Eriang, had many generous contributions to the Philippine revolution. One of her most significant contributions to the revolution was donating the ship SS Bulusan, which served as the first warship of the Filipinos. It carried food supplies and ammunition, and transported Filipino soldiers to the Visayas. Even after the end of the Spanish colonial government in the Philippines, Aling Eriang continued supporting and aiding the revolutionaries.
Pascual Poblete
Pascual H. Poblete was a writer and feminist who translated Dr. Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere into Tagalog language and became an appointed member of the pacification campaign in Nueva Vizcaya by Spanish Governor-General Fernando Primo de Rivera. Poblete later incurred the wrath of the Spanish authorities. He was separated from the government as a “dangerous man,” and then finally held incomunicado. He wrote a play titled Amor Patria (love for country) and was seated as an editor of El Resumen, which he used to question the atrocities during the Spanish regime.
Teresa Magbanua
Teresa Magbanua is feisty and full of wit. She was a school teacher and a military leader who led the Filipino revolutionists in the Visayas area. Magbanua is the only woman to lead troops in the Visayan area during the revolution. She is also one of the few Filipinos to have participated in all three resistance movements: the Philippine Revolution, the Philippine–American War, and World War II. Teresa’s efforts and bravery earned her the nickname Visayan Joan of Arc.
Never Forget Our History
As we commemorate National Heroes’ Day, let us also remember the reason for its celebration. Many people fought for our freedom, including names of Filipinos we barely see in the pages of our books. But may the spirit of history and freedom continue to live among the names of the Philippines’ unsung heroes!
