NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES LANGUAGE

AND LITERATURE DEPARTMENT

LAOAG CITY

GODMOTHER OF THE REVOLUTIONARY FORCES

SUBMITTED BY:

MARIA KARLA C. RAVAL

SUBMITED TO:

DR. FLORESITA PE BENITO

 CHAPTER I

AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Gliceria Marella was born in Taal, Batangas on May 13, 1852, the third of
seven children of Vicente Marella and Gertrudis Legaspi. The family was affluent.
At the age of 12 she entered the Santa Catalina College in Intramuros. The
Marcella children were orphaned early and had to live with their grandfather,
Gliceria shouldered the responsibility of managing the family estate when her
eldest sister died. In October 1871, Gliceria married Eulalio Villavicencio, also
from a wealthy family in Taal.

Gliceria and her husband strongly sympathized with the Revolutionary

movement. They closely followed the events leading to the Revolution and helped
disseminate propaganda literature (including the fiery periodical La Solidaridad)
that roused the people to action. They also donated P18, 000 to Rizal in 1892 as
a spontaneous and personal tribute to the propaganda movement.

The Spaniards perceived the couple's revolutionary activities and the

guardia civil frequently searched their home. Gliceria's husband was arrested
and transported to Manila. His trial for sedition dragged along and in the end he
was thrown into Bilibid Prison. Gliceria worked hard in Manila for her husband's
release. A tempting offer was dangled before her by wily Spaniards. They said
that if she would tell them any secrets she knew about the Katipunan in her
province, they would set her husband free. She answered, "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." (Paz Mendes
thesis). Her husband was finally released in 1898 but his health had broken
down. He died three months later.

Gliceria donated her ship, Bulusan, to General Emilio Aguinaldo. It

became the first warship of the Revolutionaries. Completely provisioned by her,
the ship was used in the Bicol and Visayan regions and transported Spanish war
prisoners for confinement in Romblon. She converted her residence into an army
headquarters. With her initiative as well as moral and financial support, the
"Batalion Malaya" was formed which reached as far as Tayabas, Capiz and Iloilo.

When the Americans grabbed the inevitable victory of the Philippine

Revolution against Spain from the Filipino insurgents, Gliceria remained active
in the struggle against the new conquerors. She supported General Miguel
Malvar, who under overwhelming odds stubbornly continued the war against the
Americans forcibly transferred her whole family to Manila under heavy guard.
They confiscated her pro9perties and turned her home into an army hospital.
Later, however, realizing the family's prestige and the respect which the towns-
people of Taal had for her, the American army were forced to return her family
to Taal.

Gliceria continued to care for her children although her life was destined
to have more than its share of burdens. She was loving and solicitous to her
offsprings throughout her life. She taught them how to row, ride horseback, swim
and handle the sword and the revolver.

Gliceria was a tireless, conscientious and dauntless woman. The

Revolutionary government named her Madrina-General de las Fuerzas
Revolucionarios (Matriarch-General of the Revolutionary Forces) on the same
day that the Philippine Republic was proclaimed on June 12, 1898 "in
recognition of the valuable services and her effective monetary aid to the
Revolutionist army."

Gliceria's patriotism is best appreciated by remembering that she was of

the ilustrado class, prone to acts of cowardice and collaboration with enemies of
national freedom. As an ilustrado however, Gliceria was an enlightened one.
Knowing she had everything to lose in supporting and joining the revolutionaries,
she still embarked on her patriotic task with quiet enthusiasm, courage and
fortitude.

CHAPTER II
 ACHIEVEMENTS

Gliceria Marella Villavicencio used up many of her wealth to extend

material aid to the insurrectos. 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

General Emilio Aguinaldo named Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio

"Madrina-General de las Fuerzas Revolucionarios" on June 12, 1898 for her
patriotism and contributions to the Philippine Revolution. A book entitled
"Marella y la Inquietud Romantica de la Revolution" was written about her by
Francisco Zaragoza in 1954 and includes a collection of statements by notable
Filipinos namely: General Aguinaldo, Senator Claro M. Recto, Dr. Encarnacion
Alzona, Dr. Ireneo Encarnacion (Aide de Camp of General Ananias Diokno) and
others.