The Philippines’ first women’s museum, the Tandang Sora Museum, officially opened on February 19, 2025, in Quezon City. Named after Melchora Aquino, known as Tandang Sora, the museum honors her role as the “Mother of the Philippine Revolution.” Aquino famously sheltered and cared for the Katipuneros during the revolution, making her birthplace on Banlat Road the ideal location for this new cultural landmark.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who attended the opening, emphasized the importance of preserving Aquino’s legacy and the stories of Filipino women. “This museum is not just about one person—it’s about all the women who have shaped our country,” Belmonte said.
A Dream Thirty Years in the Making
The Tandang Sora Museum is the culmination of over three decades of vision and effort. Curator Sandra Torrijos first dreamed of such a museum during a visit to a women’s museum in Germany in 1993. “Since then, I couldn’t stop thinking about how the Philippines needed its own,” Torrijos shared.
The museum showcases the lives and contributions of iconic Filipino women such as Gregoria de Jesus, Teresa Magbanua, and Pura Villanueva Kalaw, highlighting their roles in history, from the revolution to modern-day advocacy.
A Permanent Tribute to Women’s History
At the opening ceremony, women’s rights advocate and Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed her joy at the museum’s creation. “Finally, our women’s stories have a home,” she said. Hontiveros stressed the importance of having a physical space to remember and honor women’s contributions to the country.
The Tandang Sora Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 9 AM to 4 PM, with free admission throughout February. It promises to be a lasting tribute to the many Filipino women who have helped shape the nation’s history.
