The Philippines’ first and only women’s museum is now open to the public. The Tandang Sora Women’s Museum, named after Philippine National Hero Melchora Aquino, opened in Quezon City on February 19, 2025, just in time for Women’s Month.
The museum highlights the role of the late Filipina revolutionary, popularly known as “Tandang Sora” (January 6, 1836 – February 19, 1919). The key figure in the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule was known mainly for providing shelter, medical care, and other support to Katipunan revolutionaries.
The Women’s Museum, spearheaded by Mayor Joy Belmonte and supported by the office of Senator Risa Hontiveros, aims to preserve and share the stories of women – throughout Philippine history – from pre-colonial times to the present-day women’s movement. Aside from highlighting Tandang Sora’s legacy, the museum also features the significant contributions of women across various fields from governance, science, the arts, and more.
Museum visitors can get a closer look at sculptures, browse through books on women’s history and rights, and learn how women contributed to nation-building. There’s a contemporary exhibit area and a creativity corner, featuring the work of rising women artists as well.
Architectural evolution
The museum is located on Tandang Sora’s birthplace along Banlat Road, within Brgy. Tandang Sora near Himlayang Pilipino Memorial Park. The museum is housed in a Bahay na Bato structure beside the Tandang Sora National Shrine.
The museum, curated by Visual Artist Sandra Torrijos and designed by Architect Gerard Lico and his team at Arc Lico, manages to integrate heritage with contemporary artistry. The research and design studio is known for its heritage conservation work in other sites such as the Museo ng Makati and Museo ni Pio Valenzuela.
According to Arc Lico, the building’s design immerses visitors into an “era of colonial rule when Tandang Sora played a pivotal role in shaping Philippine history.”
Originally a one-level structure, the structure was expanded into a two-level bahay na bato-inspired edifice in 2023. The building now comprises two floors of curated spaces, including exhibit halls, educational areas, and newly commissioned artworks exclusively created for the museum.
In a video feature showing the museum’s construction, Arc Lico said the museum is a tribute to the diversity of women and countless heroines who helped shape the nation.
Renovations included renewed walls to improve the facade, a redesigned entryway with wheelchair-accessible ramps for accessibility, and improved drainage, with the addition of modern PWD-friendly restrooms.
Architectural elements were added, including a media agua (a simple ledge or a small roof above a window) and refined ventanillas (the small window or opening below a larger window’s casement) to increase airflow. The structure’s space was extended on the side to accommodate more rooms, with a lactation room and elevator under construction during our visit.
Museum highlights
Visitors can look forward to an engaging experience, with immersive exhibits highlighting the key contributions of important cultural figures and influential women leaders.
The ground floor features a creativity corner called “Isip at Gawa”, with an audio-visual section, and an exhibit space that will host rotating displays highlighting women’s contributions to art, culture, and advocacy.
The second floor houses a “HERstorical Philippine Timeline”, which details the role of women in faith, leadership, peacebuilding, and revolution. The exhibits here highlight the role of the Babaylan as spiritual leaders, the rise of women-led labor unions, and the evolution of female participation in politics, arts, science, and media.
The gallery, “Women in Action,” showcases progressive materials and memorabilia from various feminist movements, zeroing in on women’s organizations that have shaped the country’s landscape.
One of the most visually striking displays is the “Sino Sila” exhibit of framed photos featuring women who have made significant contributions in various fields including politics, arts, entertainment, literature, and activism. Among the women featured here are the late veteran actress Gloria Romero, Filipina athlete Lydia de Vega, traditional weaver Lang Dulay, beauty queen Catriona Gray, Broadway star Lea Salonga, and Ana Patricia Non, the organizer of the Community Pantry, which inspired a nationwide movement during the pandemic.
Value of the museum
We all know how museums have the power to inspire and motivate change. Museums have been instrumental in preserving cultural heritage, educating the public, and serving as community hubs. For young museumgoers, this women’s museum can provide an educational experience beyond textbooks.
In a news release, Mayor Joy Belmonte emphasized the museum’s role in preserving the legacy of women in the nation’s history.
“This museum is more than just a collection of artifacts – it is a testament to the strength, struggles, and triumphs of Filipino women throughout history. Through its exhibits, we hope to inspire the next generation to continue advocating for equality, justice, and progress,” said Belmonte.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, whose office funded the museum’s establishment, said the museum symbolizes progress in women’s fight for gender equality.
“This museum is not just about remembering history, it’s about empowering women today and in the future. We honor the legacies of those who came before us and we pave the way for those who will come after,” said Hontiveros during the museum’s inauguration.
From a property outlook perspective, museums can also give a tourism and economic boost to an otherwise overlooked area. Admittedly, many people would have no reason to visit this quiet corner of Quezon City if not for this new museum. Like other cultural attractions, museums can increase foot traffic, bring more attention to a neighborhood, pave the way for other businesses to thrive, and increase property values.
Younger museum visitors will no doubt be interested in exploring other nearby sites or dining in cafes after museum dates, which could improve the area’s overall vibe and create a more vibrant and dynamic community in the future.
The Women’s Museum is located in Banlat Road, Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for QC residents, PWDs, and senior citizens (for life). Admission is waived to the general public this March as part of the National Arts Month and Women’s Month celebrations. The regular admission will be P50 per head.
