Doña Gliceria Marella de Villavicencio was named as the “godmother of the revolutionary forces” by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo during the proclamation of the Philippine Independence on June 12, 1898. Her passion in supporting the revolution against the Spaniards, and later the Americans, was inflamed by the death of her husband, Don Eulalalio Villavicencio in February 1898. He was incarcerated by the Spaniards along with Pablo Ocampo and Dr. Ariston Bautista for supporting the Katipunan and the revolutionary movement.
Of the material aid she extended to the insurrectos the most notable was the SS Bulusan, a ship which made trips from Manila to Batangas and back. It also transported Filipino soldiers, armaments and ammunitions and food supplies for the maintenance of the revolutionary forces. It was the first warship made available to the revolutionaries.
Aling Eriang, as she was affectionately called, was born in Taal on May 13, 1852 and died on September 25, 1928. She had six (6) children: Jose, Mariquita (married to Gregorio Agoncillo), Vicenta, Rita (married to Vicente Ilustre), Sixto and Antonio.
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