22/07/2025
Espiridiona "Nonay" Bonifacio y de Castro (1872-1956) was a pivotal, though often unsung, figure in the Philippine Revolution, recognized as a pioneer Katipunera and the younger sister of Supremo Andres Bonifacio. Orphaned early, she developed a deep bond with her brother, which fueled her unwavering commitment to the Katipunan. As an early female member, she played crucial roles, ingeniously concealing arms and ammunition in rice pots and under her skirt to evade Spanish detection, and providing essential care and sustenance for wounded and sick Katipuneros . Her personal life was marked by tragedy, including the ex*****on of her husband, Teodoro Plata, a Katipunan co-founder, in 1896, and the subsequent ex*****ons of her brothers, forcing her into hiding. Decades later, Espiridiona became an invaluable living primary source for historians, sharing firsthand accounts that shaped the understanding of the Katipunan, and even contributing to the iconic Bonifacio Monument by National Artist Guillermo Tolentino, who used her bone structure for her brother's likeness. Her life exemplifies the vital, often overlooked, contributions and profound sacrifices of women in the struggle for Philippine independence.