The Philippines’ first women’s museum, the Tandang Sora Museum, opened in Tandang Sora, Quezon City, on Wednesday.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte stated that Banlat Road, where Tandang Sora was born, was the most fitting location for the country’s first women’s museum.
“Sino bang mag-a-akalang magkakaroon tayo ng isang bayaning babae na solo parent at senior citizen?” Belmonte said.
The Quezon City mayor highlighted the significance of the opening of a women’s museum in the country.
“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,” she said.
“Nakakalungkot ring isipin that despite the progress we have made in advocating women’s rights, na-e-echapwera pa rin ang babae sa mahalagang bahagi ng kasaysayan,” she added.
The museum highlights the life and legacy of Melchora Aquino, or Tandang Sora, displaying paintings that illustrate her contributions, along with antique artifacts and a bust of the revolutionary figure.
Sandra Torrijos, an award-winning artist and museum curator, revealed that the exhibits were inspired by Tandang Sora’s virtues of honesty, service to the people, collaboration, and courage.
“Sa kaniyang edad na 84, sumapi pa siya sa Katipunan. Isang malaking hakbang iyun considering 60 plus ka na nga mag-re-retire ka na,” she said.
The museum showcases paintings by women artists, depictions of Filipina revolutionaries, and other notable women.
“If you notice, we start with the Babaylan. If you will look closely with the walls, may nag-i-interweave dun which is the spirituality of Filipinos,” she said.
“Binubuo natin ang history ng mga Filipinos, kasi ang other half ng history ay mga kalalakihan, kung napapansin niyo. Ngayon, mailalabas natin ang storya ng mga kababaihan, I think magkakaroon ng kabuuan,” she added.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, a renowned advocate for women’s rights, was among the guests at the inauguration.
“Ang tapang at husay ng mga Pilipinang kagaya ni Tandang Sora ang nagbigay ng daan para sa napakaraming karapatang tinatamasa nating mga kababaihan ngayon. We owe them the rights and liberties we enjoy today,” Hontiveros said.
