Forgotten Filipino Heroes: Gliceria L. Marella-Villavicencio

FORGOTTEN FILIPINO HEROES: Gliceria L. Marella-Villavicencio

by Antonio C. Antonio

October 30, 2014

When Filipinos talk about heroes, we seem to automatically refer to the following illustrious names: Dr. Jose Protacio Realonda Mercado-Rizal; Andres de Castro Bonifacio; Apolinario Maranan Mabini; Gen. Emilio Famy Aguinaldo, etc.  Our history books, more often than not, often refer to these names as Philippine heroes… leaving the impression that they are the only ones.  However, there really is a long line of heroes that accompany this patriotic group.  They are often referred to as the forgotten Filipino heroes.  Here is one of them.

“Doña Gliceria Legaspi Marella de Villavicencio (May 13, 1852 – September 28, 1896), also known as Aling Eriang, is acknowledged as one of the famous Filipinos who gave her own wealth, time, knowledge and effort to help the Revolutionaries during the Philippine Revolution.  She is also recognized as a heroine of the Revolution, an ardent sympathizer and supporter of the Filipino struggle for freedom from colonial rule.

During the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898, Gliceria Marella Villavicencio was given the name “godmother of the revolutionary forces”.

Gliceria Marella Villavicencio was born on May 13, 1852 in Taal, Batangas.  She was the third child of seven children and the daughter of Vicente Marella and Gertrudis Legaspi.  They were a wealthy family.  At the age of 12 she attended the Santa Catalina College in Intramuros.  When Gliceria’s elder sister died, she had to take on the responsibility of managing the family estate.

In October 1871, Gliceria married Eulalio Villavicencio, a wealthy ship owner, who also came from a rich family.  Together, Eulalio and Gliceria contributed a large portion of their fortune and effort to reinforce the Philippine Revolution.  Casa Villavicencio, a house on the hill top, was gifted to her as a wedding gift by her husband.  The house was used as a place a place for refuge and as a secret meeting site for revolutionary leaders.  When the Spaniards found out about the couple’s revolutionary activities, their house was frequently searched by the Guadia Civil where later Eulogio was arrested on charges of sedition and inciting rebellion.  Gliceria pleaded in Manila for her husband’s release.  Gliceria was given the offer from the Spaniards of having her husband released from prison in exchange for any secrets.  However, she refused the offer despite her love for her husband.  Eulogio was later finally released in 1898, but died after 3 months due to his degraded health on February 1898.  The death of her husband has inflamed her passion for supporting the revolution against the Spaniards.

Gliceria Marella Villavicencio used up many of her wealth to extend material aide to the insurectos.  Out of the many she had given, the most notable was the donation of her Ship, the SS Bulusan, which was used in transporting Filipino soldiers, armaments, ammunition, and food supplies for the maintenance of the revolutionary forces.  It was the first warship made available to the revolutionaries.

She was a founder of the Batallon Maluya, gave financial and moral support to the revolutionaries and continually provided food, clothing and ammunition to the soldiers.  Her house became the secret meeting place of revolutionary leaders including Andres Bonifacio, General Miguel Malvar and General Marasigan.

Gliceria Marella Villavicencio died on September 25, 1928. She has six children.” (Wikipedia)

Reading literature about our heroes should rekindle our nationalist spirit aside from learning from the life and time of these forgotten Filipino heroes.

Just my little thoughts…

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