#TodayInPhilippineHistory July 18, 1875, Marina Dizon y Bartolome, Heroine of the Philippine Revolution and one of the first women initiated into the Katipunan, was born in Trozo in Manila, to Jose Dizon, one of the thirteen revolutionary martyrs of Bagumbayan and Roberta Bartolome. She was barely eight months old when her mother died. Her aunt Josefa Dizon, Emilio Jacintos mother took care of her. She obtained her early education in a private school conducted by Maestro Timoteo Reyes (also called as Maestro Tong). Later she enrolled in a public school under Doña Aniceta Cabrera, where her future husband Jose Turiano Santiago happened to be one of her schoolmates. She studied music, painting and modeling and became an accomplished singer and declaimer. She was also a guitarist and violinist of the Trozo Comparsa Band. She wanted to be a teacher but her father frowned on the idea. One night in 1893, she was accompanied by her cousin, Emilio Jacinto to the house of Don Restituto Javier on Oroquieta Street. There in the presence of Gregoria de Jesus, the young wife of Bonifacio, Josefa and Trinidad Rizal and their nieces, Angelica Lopez and Delfina Herbosa, Marina was initiated into the Katipunan. The initiation was presided by the Supremo, Andres Bonifacio. A very active member of the organization, Marina presided over initiation rites for women, kept the records, and acquainted new members with the constitution and teachings of the Katipunan. She would always remind the members: Be cheerful at all times; do not show fear of impending rebellion. Be prepared to be orphans and widows some day. Be brave and carry on. She led the women in dancing and singing acts to distract the attention of the Spanish patrol units when the Katipunan have meetings or gatherings. She was elected secretary of the Katipunan womens chapter along with Josefa Rizal, president; Gregoria de Jesus, vice-president; and Angelica Lopez as fiscal. Even within a risky situation and secrecy of their work, a love bloomed between Marina and Jose Santiago Turino, an accountant in a business firm, a childhood friend when they met again in the Katipunan. On September 16, 1894, Marina and Jose were married in Binondo Church.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 21:38:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015