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History
of Women of Malolos
Malolos,
capital town of Bulacan, was seat of Asia's First Republic
when Filipinos declared themselves independent from Spanish
dominion in 1899. It was a town of so many heroes and great
men along its enclaves, among which are the 20 Women of Malolos.
On December 12, 1888, 20 young women from the Chinese-mestizo
families of Malolos, Bulacan–the Reyeses, Tantocos, Tanchangcos,
Tiongsons, Uitangcoys, petitioned the newly-arrived Gov. Gen.
Valeriano Weyler to allow the opening of a night school -
at their own expense where they could learn to read and write
Spanish, the language which would eradicate friar domination
and put them in touch with liberal ideas current in Europe.
With Weyler;s blessing and over the objections of the friar
curate, the school opened in early 1889. The audacity and
the success of these women did not go unnoticed. But the women's
greatest adulation came from Dr. Jose Rizal in his letter
of February 22, 1889, "Sa Mga Kababayang Dalaga Sa Malolos."
The Women of Malolos were of the breed who looked at far horizons
and thought of country above self, who stood up for what is
right and just over what is merely convenient, who planned
and acted not only for the future and the next generation,
who decisively acted on their mouthed good intentions (Jaime
C. Laya, Former Chairman, NCCA)
The Women of Malolos
Foundation Inc. was established on December 12, 1999 to honor
and memorialize the 20 Women of Malolos whose commitment to
freedom, self-sacrifice, and indomitable zeal are not only outstanding
but worthy of emulation and transmission to our present generation.
Our Mission
To organize activities and programs that
will promote the strength of character exemplified by the 20
Women of Malolos, the values embodied in the letter of Rizal,
and the nationalist heritage of Malolos, which was a center
of both the Reform and Revolutionary Period in Philippine History.
Our Vision
Is a movement of people with affinity
to Malolos dedicated to the preservation and promotion of
pride in its history and heritage for the future generation.
Our Goals
• Put
up a monument for the 20 Women of Malolos
to honor their role in our history
• Establish a Museum for the Women of Malolos
• Complete the enlistment and
registration of all the descendants of the 20 women of Malolos
• Preserve, revive, and promote
the dying arts, crafts, and culinary legacy of the 20 Women
of Malolos
• Develop historic Malolos into an important tourist
destination
• Hold annual parades, literary
contests, seminars and forums
• Establish a National Award to deserving women who exemplify
the essence of Rizal's letter to the Women of Malolos
• Publish a book detailing he life and time of each of
the 20 Women of Malolos
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