Life and Works of Rizal

NAME: Gandeza, Prince Emmanuel D. DATE: March 5, 2021

COURSE, YR, SEC: BS in Criminology, 1, A SCHEDULE: MW 3:00 – 4:30

ACTIVITY NO. 1
THE HUMANITY OF HEROES

“One of the Forgotten Heroes: Gliceria Marella-Villavicencio”

A glimpse of the past

Jose Rizal, Apolinario Mabini, Andres Bonifacio and Gregorio Del Pilar are some
of the names of the heroes that we often see in our history books and hear during class
discussions. I have a strong feeling that many of my classmates will pick the
abovementioned names for this activity. But for me, I like to give justice for the heroism
of a specific person whose name is seldom seen in books nor discussed in class. This
person is Gliceria Marella-Villavicencio also known as “Aling Eriang”. She is dubbed as
the “Matriarch-General of the Revolutionary Forces”. She was an illustrado which
means that she belonged to a wealthy family. Gliceria Marella was born in Taal,
Batangas on May 13, 1852 and she was the third child of Vicente Marella and Gertrudis
Legaspi. She has 6 siblings. She entered Santa Catalina College in Intramuros when
she was 12. Gliceria’s parents died early so she had to run their family’s estate. She
married the love of her life, Eulalio Villavicencio on October 1871. Eulalio shared the
 Life and Works of Rizal

same sentiments as her wife Gliceria. Both of them were illustrados but also in favor
with the revolutionary acts of the Filipinos.

Gliceria and her husband strongly supported the Filipino revolutionary

movements. They gave the revolutionaries financial aids and different materials for
them to be able to execute their plans. They even gave Jose Rizal an amount of
P18,000.00 as their tribute to the La Solidaridad propaganda movement. Their acts
were caught by the Spaniards which caused Gliceria’s husband to be imprisoned.
Gliceria worked hard to set her husband free to make him feel the essence of liberty
and because of her eagerness to do so, the Spaniards tempted her to go against the
backs of the Filipino revolutionaries in exchange with the liberty of her spouse. They
said that if she will discuss the secrets of the Katipunero, her husband will be freed.
What she did amused me the most especially her line. She said, "I love my husband
very much as few wives do but I would consider it insanity to carry his surname if I
should obtain his liberty by betraying him and his cause." It is evident that she chose
patriotism over personal satisfaction. In 1898, Eulalio obtained freedom, but also died
few months after because of his failing health. Gliceria continued her advocacy, in fact,
she even donated a ship named “Bulusan”, which served as the first warship of the
Filipinos. She converted her residence into an army headquarters. With her initiative as
well as her moral and financial support, the "Batalion Malaya" was formed which
reached places as far as Tayabas, Capiz and Iloilo. Even after the end of the Spanish
colonial government in the Philippines, Gliceria continued supporting and aiding the
revolutionaries.

Gliceria's patriotism is exemplary. She devoted her life helping revolutionary

movements just to free her country from its invaders. Her heroism is best appreciated
by remembering that she is just a woman and an illustrado and having those qualities,
means, she is prone to acts of cowardice and collaboration with the enemies of national
freedom. However, she did not betray her fellow Filipinos even if it is her husband’s
liberty that is put at stake. She remained faithful because she knew that was the most
correct thing to do. She was very courageous and decisive. Knowing she had
everything to lose in supporting and joining the revolutionaries, she still embarked on
her patriotic task with quiet enthusiasm and fortitude. With all the aforementioned traits,
it is only just that we remember her as a noble woman. She possesses the heroic
qualities set out in the definition of the National Historical Commission of the
PhilippinesWith the current situation of our country, I advise everybody to speak up and
fight for what they know is right in the most peaceful way regardless of their gender,
their race and their economic status. Be just like Gliceria, her gender never hindered her
to pursue her patriotic advocacies. She isn’t a warrior queen neither a vocal person nor
a writer just like Bonifacio and Rizal. She stayed calm, quiet and wise. She knew she
couldn’t hold a sword and fight man-to-man, so what she did is that, she utilized her
resources in a way that it will be beneficial in achieving national freedom. Life isn’t only
about being courageous but also being wise. When it is obvious that we can’t help in the
way people want us to be, we must think of another means where we can become an
asset. We only become useless when we choose to be one.