She was born to a prosperous farmer parents, Juan Aquino and Valentina de Aquino on January 6, 1812 in barrio Banlat, Callocan, Rizal (now Banlat, Balintawak, Quezon City). She was a pretty young lady and was married to Fulgencio Ramos who died at a young age. She was left with the management of their farm and the rearing up of their six children.
On August 23, 1896, Bonifacio and his men arrived at her house. She furnished them with a hundred cavans of rice, ten carabaos and other necessities. During the revolution, she nursed the sick and the wounded. Due to her activities, she was arrested by the Guardia Civil in Novaliches and brought to Manila for confinement and later, she was deported to Guam. During the American government, she was repatriated back to the Philippines at age 91.
On August 23, 1896, Bonifacio and his men arrived at her house. She furnished them with a hundred cavans of rice, ten carabaos and other necessities. During the revolution, she nursed the sick and the wounded. Due to her activities, she was arrested by the Guardia Civil in Novaliches and brought to Manila for confinement and later, she was deported to Guam. During the American government, she was repatriated back to the Philippines at age 91.
On February 20, 1919, at the age of 107, she died in the house of her daughter.
Melchora Aquino de Ramos (January 6, 1812 – March 2, 1919) was a Filipino revolutionary who became known as "Tandang Sora" ("Tandang" is derived from the Tagalog word matanda, which means old) in the history of the Philippines because of her age when the Philippine Revolution broke out in 1896 (she was already 84 at the time). She gained the title Grand Woman of the revolution and the Mother of Balintawak for her heroic contributions to Philippine history.
Melchora Aquino
(1812-1919)
B etter known as Tandang Sora. Born in Banlat, Kalookan City, on January 6, 1812. She helped the Katipuneros under the leadership of Andres Bonifacio by providing them food, shelter, and other material goods. She is recognized as the Grand Woman of the revolution and the Mother of Balintawak. She died on March 12, 1919.
References:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Pool/1644/aquino2.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melchora_Aquino
http://park.org/Philippines/centennial/heroes04.htm