Philippine National Red Cross
Encyclopedia
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 pallatives. 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.
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.. The Republic appointed Mrs. Hilario del Rosario de Aguinaldo as President of the Association.
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 regocnition 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 Perez Tecson 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 and 'The Mother of Philippine Red Cross' - Philippine Red Cross born in San Miguel
, Bulacan
province on November 18, 1848.
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 wounded the Filipino soldiers. Emilio Aguinaldo
called her 'The Mother of Philippine Red Cross' - Philippine Red Cross. She died on January 28, 1928. Trinidad Tecson Elementary School is a memorial school for her, District IV Manila - Division of City Schools-Manila
. The Tecson of San Miguel
, Bulacan
and the Ticzon of San Pablo City
, Laguna
are descendants of the three Tek Son brothers from Guangzhou
, China
.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is an international humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide which was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human...
, 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 pallatives. 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.
History
Apolinario MabiniApolinario Mabini
Apolinario Mabini y Maranan was a Filipino political philosopher and revolutionary who wrote a constitutional plan for the of 1899-1901, and served as its first prime minister in 1899...
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.. The Republic appointed Mrs. Hilario del Rosario de Aguinaldo as President of the Association.
Felipe Agoncillo
Felipe Agoncillo
Felipe Agoncillo was the Filipino lawyer representative to the negotiations in Paris that led to the Treaty of Paris , ending the Spanish–American War and achieving him the title of "outstanding first Filipino diplomat."As a family friend and adviser of General Emilio Aguinaldo and General Antonio...
, Filipino diplomat, met with Gustave Moynier
Gustave Moynier
Gustave Moynier was a Swiss Jurist who was active in many charitable organizations in Geneva.He was a co-founder of the "International Committee for Relief to the Wounded", which became the International Committee of the Red Cross after 1876...
, an original member of the Committee of Five
Committee of Five
The Committee of Five of the Second Continental Congress drafted and presented to the Congress what became known as America's Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776...
and ICRC
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. States parties to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, have given the ICRC a mandate to protect the victims of international and...
President on 29 August 1900. He sought recognition of the Filipino Red Cross Society as well as the application of the First Geneva Convention
First Geneva Convention
The First Geneva Convention, for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded in Armies in the Field, is one of four treaties of the Geneva Conventions. It defines "the basis on which rest the rules of international law for the protection of the victims of armed conflicts." It was first adopted...
during the Philippine–American War.
On August 30, 1905 the American Red Cross
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross , also known as the American National Red Cross, is a volunteer-led, humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States. It is the designated U.S...
(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
Philippine General Hospital
The Philippine General Hospital is a tertiary state-owned hospital administered and operated by the University of the Philippines Manila, the University of the Philippines System's Health Sciences Center. It is the largest government hospital administered by the university, and is designated as...
, the ANRC officially recognized it as a Chapter on December 4, 1917.
In 1934 President Manuel L. Quezon
Manuel L. Quezon
Manuel Luis Quezón y Molina served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. He was the first Filipino to head a government of the Philippines...
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
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross is a private humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland. States parties to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols of 1977 and 2005, have given the ICRC a mandate to protect the victims of international and...
.
In 1942, during the occupation of the Philippines by Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, the Japanese created a Philippine Red Cross that they controlled to care for internees. Once Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
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 regocnition 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
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a humanitarian institution that is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement along with the ICRC and 186 distinct National Societies...
on 17 September 1947.
As of 2008, the Chairman of the PRC Board of Governors is Senator
Senate of the Philippines
The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
Richard J. Gordon
Richard Gordon (politician)
Richard "Dick" Juico Gordon is a Filipino politician and broadcaster who currently serves as the chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross....
. Since 1965, the actress Rosa Rosal
Rosa Rosal
Florence Danon Gayda , better known as Rosa Rosal, is a FAMAS award-winning Filipino film actress dubbed as the "original femme fatale of Philippine cinema". She is also known for her work with the Philippine National Red Cross...
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
Ramon Magsaysay Award
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in government, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is often considered Asia's Nobel...
.
The Mother of Philippine Red Cross: Trinidad Tecson
Trinidad Perez Tecson: 1848–1928.Trinidad Perez Tecson is one of the revolutionaries during Philippine Revolution
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution , called the "Tagalog War" by the Spanish, was an armed military conflict between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish colonial authorities which resulted in the secession of the Philippine Islands from the Spanish Empire.The Philippine Revolution began in August...
who is famous for being the 'The Mother of Biak-na-Bato' - Pact of Biak-na-Bato and 'The Mother of Philippine Red Cross' - Philippine Red Cross born in San Miguel
San Miguel, Bulacan
San Miguel de Mayumo is a 1st class, partially urban municipality located in the 3rd district of the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 138,839 people.-History:...
, Bulacan
Bulacan
Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro...
province on November 18, 1848.
During the Philippine Revolution
Philippine Revolution
The Philippine Revolution , called the "Tagalog War" by the Spanish, was an armed military conflict between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish colonial authorities which resulted in the secession of the Philippine Islands from the Spanish Empire.The Philippine Revolution began in August...
, 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 wounded the Filipino soldiers. Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo
Emilio Aguinaldo y Famy was a Filipino general, politician, and independence leader. He played an instrumental role during the Philippines' revolution against Spain, and the subsequent Philippine-American War or War of Philippine Independence that resisted American occupation...
called her 'The Mother of Philippine Red Cross' - Philippine Red Cross. She died on January 28, 1928. Trinidad Tecson Elementary School is a memorial school for her, District IV Manila - Division of City Schools-Manila
Division of City Schools-Manila
The Division of City Schools - Manila or simply the DCS-Manila is a division under the supervision of the Department of Education. It also refers to the three-tier public education system in Manila, Philippines....
. The Tecson of San Miguel
San Miguel, Bulacan
San Miguel de Mayumo is a 1st class, partially urban municipality located in the 3rd district of the province of Bulacan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 138,839 people.-History:...
, Bulacan
Bulacan
Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro...
and the Ticzon of San Pablo City
San Pablo City
The City of San Pablo , a first class city in the province of Laguna, Philippines, is one of the country's oldest cities. The City of San Pablo lies in the southern portion of Laguna province...
, Laguna
Laguna
Laguna may refer to:* Laguna Pueblo, a Native American people of the southwestern United States- Asia :* Laguna , Philippines, a province of the Philippines found in the CALABARZON region in Luzon...
are descendants of the three Tek Son brothers from Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.