A southern fighter
TERESA MAGBANUA is known as the the Spaniards during the Spanish colonial era.
She was dubbed the “Joan of Arc of the Visayas.”
She was a teacher and a skilled military leader during her time.
And contrary to what you may think, she did not really have a rough childhood.
Born on October 13, 1868, Magbanua was the second of six children born to Don Juan Magbanua and Doña Alejandra Ferraris.
She later married Alejandrion Balderinas, a wealthy landowner from Iloilo.
Balderinas did not really approve of Magbanua’s bravery and
followed in the footsteps of two of her siblings and joined the revolutionary movement under the leadership of General Martin Delgado.
Teresa Magbanua displayed courage and strong military tactics during all three resistance movements
Military prowess
Magbanua exhibited courage, patriotism, and extensive knowledge in military tactics when she won her
1898. During this battle, she led a band of sharpshooters and soldiers from the movement to overthrow the Spanish presence in the area.
Her unit calls her “Nay Isa” (Mother Isa) as she took up the mantle of commander and fought at the Battle of Sapong Hill where she and her troops triumphed.
During the Philippine-American War, Magbanua joined numerous battles against the Americans with her brothers, Elias and Pascual. One example is the Battle of Iloilo City where Magbanua fought alongside General Delgado. The war brought Magbanua severe hardships after she lost her brothers due to inexplicable circumstances.
And after her many battles, she realized that her dream of an independent Philippines should be put on hold.
She disbanded her troops and surrendered to the Americans in the 1900s.
When she was no longer active
did all she could to aid the guerilla movement against the Japanese forces. She sold whatever possessions she had in order to acquire money for food and supplies to give to the local troops.
Her marriage to Alejandrino Balderinas wasn’t fruitful as they failed to conceive a child. Balderinas also died shortly after the Japanese occupied the country.
Magbanua later moved to Mindanao after World War II and lived with her sister Maria in Zamboanga del Sur.
She never remarried after Balderinas’ death, and she later died in August 1947.
Although not as well known as her brothers, Magbanua made it to the books through her courage and dedication to public service. She is one of the few Filipinos who participated in all three resistance movements against Spain, the United States, and Japan.