| Philippine Red Cross | |
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Seal of the Philippine Red Cross |
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| Abbreviation | PRC |
| Motto | Always First. Always Ready. Always There. |
| Formation | December 4, 1917 (as chapter) April 15, 1947 |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Purpose/focus | Humanitarian |
| Headquarters | Manila, Philippines |
| Location | Bonifacio Drive, Port Area, Manila 1018 |
| Region served | Philippines |
| Membership | International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement |
| Official languages | Filipino and English |
| Chairman of the Board of Governors | Senator Richard J. Gordon |
| Secretary General | Gwendolyn T. Pang |
| Website | www.redcross.org.ph |
Born officially in 1947, Philippine Red Cross (PRC), a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, has roots that trace back to the revolutionary days. It is committed to provide quality life-saving services that protect the life and dignity especially of indigent Filipinos in vulnerable situations.
The Philippine Red Cross is made of men and women from all walks of life. It is the tale of hundreds of thousands of ordinary people who devoted their time and resources to help the poorest of the poor. They are professionally trained to lend a helping hand to those in need – whoever, whenever and wherever they may be.
The PRC has been established 60 years ago. Before, the PRC used to be involved only in providing blood and in disaster-related activities and short-term palliatives. Now it also focuses on a holistic approach to uplift the condition of the most vulnerable, and a wider array of humanitarian services.
At present, the PRC provides six major services: Blood Services, Disaster Management, Safety Services, Community Health and Nursing, Social Services and the Volunteer Service. All of them embody the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. These values guide and inspire all Red Cross staff and volunteers, to whom being a Red Crosser is more than just a philosophy but a way of life.[1]
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Apolinario Mabini encouraged the Malolos Republic to form a national Red Cross organization. On February 17, 1899, the Malolos Republic approved the Constitution of the National Association of the Red Cross.[2] The Republic appointed Mrs. Hilario del Rosario de Aguinaldo as President of the Association.[3]
Felipe Agoncillo, Filipino diplomat, met with Gustave Moynier, an original member of the Committee of Five and ICRC President on 29 August 1900. He sought recognition of the Filipino Red Cross Society as well as the application of the First Geneva Convention during the Philippine–American War.
On August 30, 1905 the American Red Cross (ARC) formed a Philippine Branch with Filipino and American leaders. After several years of continuous effort from Nurse Paula Emperado of the Philippine General Hospital, the ANRC officially recognized it as a Chapter on December 4, 1917.
In 1934 President Manuel L. Quezon established an independent Philippine Red Cross. However, because the Philippines was a U.S. territory, and later a U.S. Commonwealth, it could not sign the Geneva Conventions and therefore it could not be recognized by the ICRC.
In 1942, during the occupation of the Philippines by Japan, the Japanese created a Philippine Red Cross that they controlled to care for internees. Once Manila was liberated by United States and Filipino forces in 1945, local Red Cross officials and the ANRC reestablished an independent Red Cross.
The Philippines gained independence from the United States on July 4, 1946. Dr. J. Horacio Yanzon, was appointed the first Filipino Red Cross Manager in December 1946 with thirty-six Red Cross chapters initially set up in the country. On 14 February 1947 President Manuel A. Roxas signed the Treaty of Geneva and the Prisoners of War Convention. On 22 March 1947 President Roxas signed Republic Act 95, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Charter.
The ICRC approved the recognition of the PRC, and telegraphed Aurora Aragon Quezon, the first PRC Chairman, on 29 March 1947. Philippine Red Cross (PRC) had its inaugural ceremony on 15 April 1947.
The PRC was admitted as a bona fide member of the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on 17 September 1947.
As of 2008, the Chairman of the PRC Board of Governors is Senator Richard J. Gordon. Since 1965, the actress Rosa Rosal has sat on the Board of Governors. For her activities with the PRC, Rosal was awarded in 1999 the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service.
Trinidad Tecson (1848–1928) is one of the revolutionaries during Philippine Revolution who is famous for being the The Mother of Biak-na-Bato - Pact of Biak-na-Bato, Biak-na-Bato Republic and The Mother of Philippine Red Cross - Philippine Red Cross. She was as well called Mother of Mercy. She was born in San Miguel, Bulacan province on November 18, 1848. Her parents are Rafael Tecson and Monica Perez. She was trained to do 'Arnis' - [Sword fighting] at a younger age by a man named Tangkad [Tall].
During the Philippine Revolution, she joined the rebellion, took care of the sick and wounded in the mountains. Along with three other companions, she went to the courthouse in Kalookan - Caloocan to seize firearms. They overpowered the Guardia Civil and carried away their guns. She was with the revolutionaries in 12 battles under five Filipino generals and organized groups of women to nurse the wounded Filipino soldiers. Emilio Aguinaldo called her 'The Mother of Philippine Red Cross' - Philippine Red Cross. Trinidad was a Brigadaire General during Philippine Revoluion - List of Filipino Generals in the Philippine Revolution of 1896 and the Filipino-American War of 1899. Trinidad was called Babaing lalaki - [A woman who acts like a man].
Trinidad Perez Tecson died on January 28, 1928. She passed in the hospital: Philippine General Hospital and was burried in Veterans Plot of La Loma Cemetery. Trinidad Tecson Elementary School is a memorial school for her, District IV Manila - Division of City Schools-Manila.
The Tecson of San Miguel, Bulacan, the Tecson of Balanga, Bataan, the Tecson of San Jose, Batangas, the Tecson of Tanay, Rizal, the Tecson of Candaba, Pampanga, the Tecson of Tanauan, Leyte, and the Ticzon of San Pablo, Laguna are descendants of the three Tek Sun brothers from Guangzhou, China. The tombstone of Jose Tecson who passed 1728, still remains today - 2011, in the church of Saint Patrick at the front door, in Candaba, Pampanga. It is written in Chinese character that denotes his name: Jose Tecson - Hu Si Tek Sun Bu, as well as the name of a place, Immortal Torch. Guangzhou, China is called: 'Immortals City'.
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