Philippine Red Cross - The Mother of Philippine Red Cross: Trinidad Tecson

The Mother of Philippine Red Cross: Trinidad Tecson

Trinidad Tecson (1848–1928) was a revolutionary during the Philippine Revolution, famous for being The Mother of Biak-na-Bato. She was also called Mother of Mercy. She was born in San Miguel, Bulacan province on November 18, 1848. Her parents were Rafael Tecson and Monica Perez. She was trained in arnis (sword fighting) at a young age.

During the Philippine Revolution she joined the rebellion, taking care of the sick and wounded in the mountains. Along with three other companions, she went to the courthouse in Kalookan - Caloocan to seize firearms. They overpowered the Guardia Civil and carried away their guns. She was with the revolutionaries in 12 battles under five Filipino generals and organized groups of women to nurse the wounded Filipino soldiers. Emilio Aguinaldo called her 'The Mother of Philippine Red Cross'. Tecson was a Brigadier-General during the Philippine Revolution and was called Babaing lalaki (a woman who acts like a man). She was a woman member of Katipunan.

Tecson died on January 28, 1928, in Philippine General Hospital and was buried in Veterans Plot of La Loma Cemetery. Trinidad Tecson Elementary School is a memorial school for her, in District IV Manila.

The Tecsons of San Miguel, Bulacan; Balanga, Bataan; San Jose, Batangas; Tanay, Rizal; Candaba, Pampanga; Tanauan, Leyte; Cabiao, Nueva Ecija; San Quintin, Pangasinan, and the Ticzons of San Pablo, Laguna are all descendants of the three Tek Sun brothers from Guangzhou, China. The tombstone of José Tecson (d.1728) can be seen at the front door of the church of Saint Andrew in Candaba, Pampanga. It is written in Chinese characters that denote his name: José Tecson - Hu Si Tek Sun Bu, as well as the name of a place, Immortal Torch.