Dona Gliceria Marella & Don Eulalio Villavicencio (Essay Sample)

Dona Gliceria Marella & Don Eulalio Villavicencio
(Student’s name)
History
(Institutional affiliation)
Dona Gliceria Marella & Don Eulalio Villavicencio
On May 13, 1952, in Taal, Batangas, the third of Vicente Marella’s and Gertrude
Legaspi’s seven children was born, receiving the name Gliceria Marella. Hers was a wealthy
Ilustrado family, thus, at the age of twelve she commenced studying at the Santo Catalina college
in Intramuros. Not only did her parents die at an early age, but her older sister died as well,
leaving Gliceria the responsibility of managing the family’s estate. In October of 1871 Gliceria
Marella married Eulalio Villavicencio, who belonged to another wealthy family in Taal.
Eulalio’s parents were shipowners, involved in the business of commercial shipping.
It was during the lifetime of this couple that tensions between the Spaniard colonists and
the Filipino people boiled, and came to a peak, as the Philippines experienced the Revolutionary
war, fighting for her independence from the Spanish colonists at first, and then later from the
Americans. Gliceria and Eulalio were fiercely patriotic, and had strong feelings of loyalty to,
and sympathy for the Filipino people and nation. The couple were actively involved in fighting,
and securing freedom for the Philippines. Gliceria, along with her husband, were members of
the Katipunan nationalist resistance movement, distributing propogandic literature, including La
Solidaridad, the fiery newsletter that stirred people to take action, and fight for their rights, and
for what they believed in.
In January of 1892, Eulalio travelled to Hong Kong to personally hand over
PHP18,000.00, a contribution on behalf of Gliceria and himself, to help finance the nationalist
resistance war effort against Spain. Eulalio returned home, bringing back with him fresh batches
of propogandic pamphlets. Eulalio received an ivory dagger from Jose Rizal, to be given to his
wife, Gliceria, in recognition and appreciation of Gliceria’s and his own efforts and contributions
towards the cause.
The Spanish soon became aware of the couple’s involvement with the Katipunan, leading
to frequent raids on their home, as the Spanish colonists searched for incriminating evidence to
support their suspicions. Eulalio was declared a filibusterer by the colonists, and before long
Gliceria’s husband was arrested by the Spanish. He was imprisoned in Manila, in the Bilibid
Prison. Gliceria worked tirelessly to secure her husband’s release. The Spanish offered to
release Eulalio if Gliceria would reveal to them the secrets of the Katipunan. It was at this time
that Gliceria made the ultimate sacrifice, and stood fast in her decision and commitment,
proclaiming what would soon become her famous quote, withstanding the passage of time.
Proudly, and firmly she proclaimed, “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” (Women Corner, 1999). Thus, Gliceria Marella Villavicencio became the trusted guardian of the secrets
of the Katipunan.
Eulalio was released at last in 1898, seemingly on his death bed; his health had been
destroyed by the terribly harsh conditions while imprisoned. Eulalio Villavicencio died three
months after being released, as his captors had shattered his health beyond repair. After her
husband’s death, Gliceria continued fully participating as a warrior for the Katipunan, supporting
the resistance efforts by offering supplies, as well as moral and financial support. She donated
her ship, the SS Bulusan, to general Emilio Aguinaldo. It was the first warship of the Katipunan,
and was used to transport captive Spaniard soldiers, along with food, aid supplies, ammunition,
weapons, and soldiers of the Katipunan movement. Gliceria is not only credited with founding
the Batalion Malaya, she is also credited with sustaining the Batalion Malaya with both her
moral and financial support. Gliceria went as far as transforming her home into an army
headquarters.
When the Americans seized control of the Philippines, Gliceria continued her fight
against the new colonists, the American conquerors, working alongside General Miguel Malavar
to secure her nation’s freedom. The Americans seized her home and properties, forcibly
relocating her family in Manila. On June 12, 1898, on the same day that the Philippine Republic
officially proclaimed her nation’s independence, General Emilio Aguinaldo and the
revolutionary government also proclaimed Dona Gliceria Marella De Villavicencio a national
her...