FORGOTTEN FILIPINO HEROES: Gliceria L. Marella-Villavicencio
by Antonio C. Antonio
October 30, 2014
When Filipinos talk about heroes, we seem to automatically
refer to the following illustrious names: Dr. Jose Protacio Realonda Mercado-Rizal;
Andres de Castro Bonifacio; Apolinario Maranan Mabini; Gen. Emilio Famy
Aguinaldo, etc. Our history books, more
often than not, often refer to these names as Philippine heroes… leaving the
impression that they are the only ones.
However, there really is a long line of heroes that accompany this
patriotic group. They are often referred
to as the forgotten Filipino heroes.
Here is one of them.
“Doña
Gliceria Legaspi Marella de Villavicencio (May 13, 1852 – September 28, 1896),
also known as Aling Eriang, is acknowledged as one of the famous Filipinos who
gave her own wealth, time, knowledge and effort to help the Revolutionaries
during the Philippine Revolution. She is
also recognized as a heroine of the Revolution, an ardent sympathizer and supporter
of the Filipino struggle for freedom from colonial rule.
During the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on
June 12, 1898, Gliceria Marella Villavicencio was given the name “godmother of
the revolutionary forces”.
Gliceria Marella Villavicencio was born on May 13, 1852 in
Taal, Batangas. She was the third child
of seven children and the daughter of Vicente Marella and Gertrudis
Legaspi. They were a wealthy
family. At the age of 12 she attended
the Santa Catalina College in Intramuros.
When Gliceria’s elder sister died, she had to take on the responsibility
of managing the family estate.
In October 1871, Gliceria married Eulalio Villavicencio, a
wealthy ship owner, who also came from a rich family. Together, Eulalio and Gliceria contributed a
large portion of their fortune and effort to reinforce the Philippine
Revolution. Casa Villavicencio, a house
on the hill top, was gifted to her as a wedding gift by her husband. The house was used as a place a place for
refuge and as a secret meeting site for revolutionary leaders. When the Spaniards found out about the
couple’s revolutionary activities, their house was frequently searched by the
Guadia Civil where later Eulogio was arrested on charges of sedition and
inciting rebellion. Gliceria pleaded in
Manila for her husband’s release.
Gliceria was given the offer from the Spaniards of having her husband
released from prison in exchange for any secrets. However, she refused the offer despite her
love for her husband. Eulogio was later
finally released in 1898, but died after 3 months due to his degraded health on
February 1898. The death of her husband
has inflamed her passion for supporting the revolution against the Spaniards.
Gliceria Marella Villavicencio used up many of her wealth to
extend material aide to the insurectos.
Out of the many she had given, the most notable was the donation of her
Ship, the SS Bulusan, which was used in transporting Filipino soldiers,
armaments, ammunition, and food supplies for the maintenance of the revolutionary
forces. It was the first warship made
available to the revolutionaries.
She was a founder of the Batallon Maluya, gave financial and
moral support to the revolutionaries and continually provided food, clothing
and ammunition to the soldiers. Her
house became the secret meeting place of revolutionary leaders including Andres
Bonifacio, General Miguel Malvar and General Marasigan.
Gliceria Marella Villavicencio died on September 25, 1928.
She has six children.” (Wikipedia)
Reading literature about our heroes should rekindle our
nationalist spirit aside from learning from the life and time of these
forgotten Filipino heroes.
Just my little thoughts…
(Please visit, like and share Pro EARTH Crusaders and
Landscape Ecology UPOU on Facebook or follow me at http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/)
the info is good.
ReplyDeletei'm working on a paper, may i know where i can find some published books or documents about her?
ReplyDelete