Filipino Women in Philippine currency
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas remembers the following Filipino women who were featured in Philippine banknotes and coins.
Melchora Aquino
Featured in
- 100-Piso banknote 9English Series);
- 5-Sentimo coin (Pilipino Series);
- 5-Sentimo coin (Ang Bagong Lipunan Series); and
- 5-Sentimo coin (Flora and Fauna Series)
“Tandand Sora” was the first Filipino woman to appear in the Philippine currency in the middle of the 1900s. Declared as “Grand Woman of the Revolution,” her home became a haven of peace and for the katipuneros and a shelter for their secret meetings. She was greatly remembered for her heroic contributions during the Philippine revolution that broke out in 1896.
Josefa Llanes Escoda
Featured in 1000-Piso banknote of the New Design Series (NDS), New Generation Currency (NGC), and enhanced NGC (eNGC)
The founder of the Girl Scout of the Philippines appears in the Philippine banknote together with Jose Abad Santos and Vicente Lim, representing Filipinos who fought and died for Philippine independence during World War II. An advocate of education and women’s rights, her courage and selflessness continues to inspire many Filipino women.
Corazon C. Aquino
Featured in the 500-Piso banknote of the NGC and eNGC.
The first female President of the Philippines is featured in the 500-Piso NGC and eNGC banknote series together with her husband, Benigno Aquino jr. Her ascension into power as President of the Philippines ushered in a new era for the country.
Did you know?
During the early part of the 1900s, the BSP issued 5-Piso NDS banknotes with an overprint of the logo “Kababaihan Para sa Kaunlaran” to commemorate the Woman for Development movement.
Sources: Currency Issue and Integrity Office, BSP website
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