Hilaria Aguinaldo


Hilaria del Rosario de Aguinaldo was the first wife of General Emilio Aguinaldo, the first President of the Philippines.

Life

Hilaria del Rosario y Reyes was born on February 17, 1877, in Tinabunan in Imus, Cavite to Guillermo del Rosario y Bautista and Cristina Reyes y Flores. She was baptized four days later by Andrés Galdeano at Imus Church.
Emilio Aguinaldo married her on New Year's Day, 1896–the very same day he joined the Katipunan, the secret society that would initiate the Philippine Revolution that year. They had five children: Carmen Aguinaldo-Melencio, Emilio "Jun" R. Aguinaldo Jr., Maria Aguinaldo-Poblete, Cristina Aguinaldo-Suntay, and Miguel Aguinaldo. Although the title "First Lady" was not used, and did not refer to the wife of the President of the Philippines at the time, she is today considered the first First Lady of the Philippines.
She complemented Emilio's military campaigns by caring for wounded soldiers and their families. In February 17, 1899, as the president's consort, she established the Hijas de la Revolución that later became Asociación Filantrópica de los Damas de la Cruz Roja en Filipinas.
The organisation is considered a precursor of the present Philippine Red Cross, and for this she raised funds for medicines and other medical supplies. She was captured by American troops in 1900 and reunited with her husband after his capture by the Americans in 1901.

Death

Hilaria del Rosario de Aguinaldo died on March 6, 1921, aged 44, from pulmonary tuberculosis. She was buried the next day.

Legacy and remembrance

As a historical commemoration, the "Asociación Filantrópica de los Damas de la Cruz Roja en Filipinas" historical marker was installed on August 17, 2024 by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol coinciding with the province's 446th founding anniversary.

In popular culture