Hilaria Aguinaldo

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Hilaria Aguinaldo

| image = Hilaria Aguinaldo portrait (cropped).jpg

| imagesize = 200px

| honorific-suffix =

| order = 1st First Lady of the Philippines

| term_label = In role

| term_start = March 22, 1897

| term_end = April 1, 1901

| president = Emilio Aguinaldo

| predecessor = Position established

| successor = Aurora Aragon Quezon

| birth_name = Hilaria del Rosario y Reyes

| birth_date = {{birth date|1877|02|17}}

| birth_place = Imus, Cavite, Captaincy General of the Philippines, Spanish Empire{{cite web |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSM6-PKJ |title=Film # 007771939 Image Film # 007771939; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSM6-PKJ — FamilySearch.org |website=FamilySearch |accessdate=June 13, 2017}}

| death_date = {{death date and age|1921|03|06|1877|02|17}}

| death_place = Cavite el Viejo, Cavite, Philippine Islands{{cite web |url=https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSMP-MWW9 |title=Film # 007772988 Image Film # 007772988; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSMP-MWW9 — FamilySearch.org |website=FamilySearch |accessdate=June 13, 2017}}

| nationality =

| profession =

| alma_mater =

| spouse = {{marriage|Emilio Aguinaldo|1896}}

| children = 5

}}

Hilaria del Rosario de Aguinaldo (born Hilaria del Rosario y Reyes; 17 February 1877 – 6 March 1921) 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 (now Pag-asa) 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" (Spanish: Primera Dama) was not used, and did not refer to the wife of the President of the Philippines (being used only with the onset of the American governors-general in reference to their wives) at the time, she is today considered the first First Lady of the Philippines.{{cn|date=July 2022}}

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 (Daughters of the Revolution) that later became Asociación Filantrópica de los Damas de la Cruz Roja en Filipinas (Red Cross Association).{{cn|date=July 2022}}

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.{{cn|date=July 2022}}

Death

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

File:Asociación_Filantrópica_de_los_Damas_de_la_Cruz_Roja_en_Filipinas1.jpg

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.{{cite news |last1= Silverio|first1= Frederick|title=Bulacan marks 446th founding anniversary|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/08/17/regions/bulacan-marks-446th-founding-anniversary/1964619 |accessdate=September 10, 2024 |work= The Manila Times|date=August 17, 2024}}