Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 5609

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

EXPLANATORY NOTE
This bill seeks to declare September 2 of every year as “Tandang Sora Day.”

Melchora Aquino de Ramos, more popularly known as Tandang Sora, is regarded as.
the Grand Woman of the Philippine Revolution for her immense contribution in the history
of the Filipino Nation.

She was born on January 6, 1812, to Juan and Valentina Aquino, a peasant couple, in
Caloocan. She was married to Fulgencio Ramos, a cabeza de barangay, and gave birth to six
children, She was widowed early and was left to stand as a single parent to their children.

‘Tandang Sora was already 84 years old when the Philippine Revolution broke out in
1896, She was a good friend to Gat Andres Bonifacio, the Supremo of the Katipunan, and
was in agreement with the movement's aspirations for freedom and nationhood. Her home
became a refuge for the sick and wounded Katipuneros. She also gave them food, medical
attention, and encouraged the Katipuneros with motherly advice and prayers.

Tandang Sora was charged with aiding the Katipunan and was arrested by the
Spanish Guardia Civil on August 29, 1896 in Pasong Putik, Novaliches. She was incarcerated
in the Bilibid Prison and was interrogated and tortured, but she refused to divulge any
information about the Katipunan. The Spanish authorities then exiled Tandang Sora to
Guam where she stayed for six years. When the United States of America took control of the
Philippines, she returned to the Philippines at the age of 91. Tandang Sora passed away
peacefully on March 2, 1919. She was 107 years old.

In honor of Tandang Sora’s valor, a shrine was build in the site of her home in Banlat
Road, Quezon City, where her remains were transferred from the Himlayang Pilipino. The


said shrine was declared a national shrine by virtue of a resolution of the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Quezon City stood witness to the life of Tandang Sora and her brand of heroism that
‘was not determined by her age or gender, but by her selfless love for our country.

In recognition of Tandang Sora’s immeasurable contribution to the Filipino Nation,
the passage of this bill is earnestly sought,

\LFRED VARGAS


House of Representatives
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, D609

INTRODUCED BY CONGRESSMAN ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
DECLARING JANUARY 6 OF EVERY YEAR AS A SPECIAL NON-WORKING HOLIDAY IN
QUEZON CITY TO COMMEMORATE THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF MELCHORA AQUINO
TO BE KNOWN AS THE “TANDANG SORA DAY”

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. January 6 of every year is hereby declared as a special non-working
holiday in the entire City of Quezon in commemoration of the birth anniversary of the
Melchora Aquino, the Grand Woman of the 1986 Philippine Revolution and the Mother of
Balintawak, to be known as the “Tandang Sora Day.”

SEC. 2. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official
Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,