The first-ever women’s museum in the Philippines, the Tandang Sora Women’s Museum, was officially inaugurated Wednesday at the Tandang Sora National Shrine in Quezon City.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the museum is fittingly located along Banlat Road, the birthplace of Melchora Aquino, better known as Tandang Sora.
“On January 6, we had a soft opening in celebration of Tandang Sora’s birth anniversary. But that was just a soft opening because many things were still unfinished. We worked hard on it, and finally, today, the museum is all ready for public viewing,” she said.
Belmonte highlighted the significance of the museum, noting that many developed nations and neighboring Asian countries have dedicated institutions honoring women’s contributions.
“It’s very beautiful! It’s the first women’s museum in the whole country, and we are inviting everyone to come for free for February and the whole of March because February is National Arts Month and March is Women’s Month,” she explained.
The museum showcases Tandang Sora’s life and legacy through paintings, antique artifacts, and a bust of the revolutionary heroine.
Award-winning artist and museum curator Sandra Torrijos said the exhibits were inspired by Tandang Sora’s virtues of honesty, service, collaboration, and courage.
The museum also features works by female artists and depictions of Filipina revolutionaries and trailblazers in various fields.
“There’s the history of women in politics, in sports, women in the prehistoric period, the colonial period, the American period, and the Japanese period. Everything you want to know about what women have done for nation-building can be found here and learned here,” Belmonte said.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, a prominent advocate for women’s rights, was among the distinguished guests at the event.
“The courage and brilliance of Filipinas like Tandang Sora paved the way for the many rights and freedoms we enjoy today,” Hontiveros said.
The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission for seniors, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and Quezon City residents.
Starting April, non-residents may enter for a fee of ₱50.
“Bring your family and friends, and enjoy what the museum has to offer,” Belmonte concluded.
