A number of stamps' vignettes featured women, from history to contemporary times.

Heroines

MARCELA AGONCILLO [1860-1946] Designer of Philippine Flag.
Stamps: A1973I24, A1975K222,
Born in Taal Batangas on June 24, wife of the revolutionary Felipe Agoncillo. While in exile in Hongkong in May 1898, she swed the national flag with the assistance of her eledest daughter, Lorenza, and a niece of Jose Rizal, as commissioned by General Emilio Aguinaldo. On June 12, 1898, the flag was unfurled at the balcony of the Aguinaldo residence in Kawit, Cavite, during the declaration of Philippine Independence.

TEODORA ALONSO [1827-1911] Mother of Jose Rizal
Stamps: A1961E14, A1974K08, A1975K22, A1981K25.3,
Born on November 9 in Biñan, Laguna and educated at Colegio de Santa Rosa in Manila. Married Francisco Mercado (1848), A strict disciplinarian, she impressed upon her elevn children, a love of God and loyalty to country. She was a great influence on Jose that, when her vision failed, he decided to take up medicine and specialize in opthalmology. Rizal paid her the highest tribute when he wrote: "After God, the mother is everything to man.".

ROSA SEVILLA DE ALVERO [1879-1954] Journalist, Social Worker, Educator.
Stamps: A1979C04, A1980I26.1,
Born in Tondo, Manila on March 4, obtained a degree of Maestra Superior with honors, Assumption College, then B.S.E., M.A., Ph. D, from University of Stano Tomas. Established Instituto de Mujeres (1900) and serves as directress for 45 years. Enrolled at U.S.T. at age 49, then became its first dean of women. Appointed to the Supreme National Council, that spearheaded the movement to adopt Tagalog as the national language; and to the Women's Council, to aid war victims.

MELCHORA AQUINO [1812-1919] The Grand Old Woman of Revolution.
Stamps: A1969K30, A1998C03, A1998F09, A1998L15G, A1998L15Y
Born in Banlat, Caloocan, Rizal on January 6. Maried Fulgencio Ramos, a cabeza de barangay and bore him six children, but was widowed at an early age. During the Revolution, she furnished the Katipuneros with rice, carabaos and other supplies and nursed the sick and the wounded. Arrested, jailed but steadfastly refused to reveal Bonifacio's whereabouts thus deported to Guam but later was repatriated by the Americans. Refused a government award for her patriotic services. Lived to the age of 107.

FRANCISCA REYES AQUINO [1899-1983] Champion of Folk Dance.
Stamps: A2002K14,
In 1920, Francisca finished her secondary education at the Manila High School and in 1923 her HSTC at the U.P. She earned her BSE diploma the following year and her MA two years later after working on her thesis, ''Philippine Dances and Games.'' On July 3, 1954, President Ramon Magsaysay presented her with the Award of Merit (The Dance) in Malacanang. In 1962 she received the Ramon Magsaysay Award; being the first Filipina to receive such honor. She was cited for pioneering in the recording and research of native songs and cultural dances that were handed down through the generations among the ethnic groups in the country. She was named National Artist in Dance in 1973. She died on November 19, 1983.

FRANCISCA TIRONA BENITEZ [1886-d.n.k] Educator, university founder
Stamps: A1980B21,
Born in Imus, Cavite on June 4, married Condrado Benitez (1912) and had three children. Graduated (1906) from Philippine Normal School and became the first Filipino home economics teacher there. Founded (1919) the Philippine Women's College, which became (1932) the Philippine Women's University. Retired and was conferred the "Hiyas ng Pamantasan" award and granted the title President Emeritus. Awarded the Presidential Medal (1955) and Rizal Pro Patia (1961).

DONA CONCHA FELIX DE CALDERON
Stamps: A1984B09,

ENGRACIA CRUZ-REYES
Stamps: A1992F01,

GREGORIA DE JESUS The "Lakangbini" of Katipunan
Stamps: A1978C28,
Wife of Andres Bonifacio. Initated into the Women's Chapter of the Katipunan (1893). As Vice President, with Josefa Rizal's presidency, took custody of the papers, revolvers, seals, and other paraphernalia of the society. She reisked her life in keeping in her person many Katipunan documents even at a time when she was infaticipating.

HONORATA DE LA RAMA (January 11, 1902 - July 11, 1991), Queen of Zarzuela.
Stamps: A2002K14, S2002K14,
At age seven, young Atang was already being cast in Spanish zarzuelas as well as the veladas, a literary musical program. In 1919, at age 14, she sang ''Nabasag ang Banga'' in the zarzuela Dalagang Bukid, which she later starred in the movie of the same title. Whence, she was the first female actress in the very first Tagalog film produced by Jose Nepomuceno, the ''Father of Philippine Movies.'' The box office provided proof that she became the inspiration and lifeblood of the more than fifty zarzuelas in which she starred. Atang did not perform only for a living, she propagated and popularized the zarzuela and kundiman because she believed that these two expressed the Filipino identity. She was named National Artist in Theatre and Music in 1987.

GLORIA DIAZ Miss Universe :
Stamps: A1994E05, S1994E05,

JOSEFA LLANES ESCODA [1898-1945] Leader of Girls Scouts
Stamps: A1973E31, A1998F01,
Born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte on September 20. Graduated with honors from the Philippine Normal School (1918). Received her teacher's certificate from UP (1922). Sent by American Red Cross to study at the New york School of Social Work (1925). Taught sociology at UP and UST while working as Red Cross field Secretary (1926-29). Guided the organization of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. Cared for military interns during the Death March. Caught by the Japanese, tortured, then beheaded at the Chinese Cemetery in Manila.

JOVITA FUENTES [ ] National Artist
Stamps: A1995F01,

MA. PAZ MENDOZA GUANZON [d.n.k. -1967] Pioneer Physician and Educator
Stamps: A1984E26,
First president and founding member, Philippine Association of University Women (1928). First Filipino woman doctor, first woman graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (1912). Served as resident physician at the PGH, instructor at UP College of Medicine (1914), and Dean of Women, College of Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry (1916) and Director of Women for UP (1917). Became the first woman regent of UP (1924). Named Professor Emiritus of Pathology (1963). Received the Presidential Merit Award (1966)

AGUEDA KAHABAGAN :
Stamps: A1998F09,

PRINCESS TARHATA KIRAM
Stamps: A1984A16,

NAZARIA LAGOS :
Stamps: A1998F09,

PILAR HIDALGO-LIM :
Stamps: A1993F01,

NATIVIDAD ALMEDA LOPEZ [1892-1977] Pioneer lawyer and presiding judge
Stamps: A1992F01,
Known as the "Dean of Women Judges". Finished A.B., Lieco de Manila; Ll.B., Escuela de Derecho de Manila (1913); then LL.M. (1937) and Ph.D. Civil Law (1938) from U.S.T. Served as Bureau of Justice special attorney (1919), Manila municipal judge (1936-51), Manila Municipal Courts executive judge (1952-56), presiding judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court (1956) and the first woman associate justice of the COurt of Appeals (1961).

JOSEFA JARA-MARTINEZ :
Stamps: A1994F01,

MARGIE MORAN Miss Universe :
Stamps: A1994E05, S1994E05,

MARIA YLAGAN ORETA :
Stamps: A1993F01,

DONA JULIA V. DE ORTIGAS :
Stamps: B1970H03, A1975D15,

GEORGINA T. PECSON :
Stamps: A1996F01,

ASUNCION ARRIOLA PEREZ [1895-1967] Writer, patriot, and social worker
Stamps: A1995F01,
Born in Gasan, Marinduque on August 15. The first Filipina to hold a cabinet rank, social welfare administrator, during the Quirino administration. Joined (1941) government service as public assistance division chief, Bureau of Public Welfare and was appointed bureau director. Joined Marking's Guerrillas during WWII as lieutenant colonel for the intelligence unit. Served as commissioner of social welfare (1947); social welfare administrator (1948) and chairman of the President's action committee on social amelioriation (1948-53). Founded the Children's Garden in Taytay, Rizal and the Philippine Foundation for the Crippled. Author of the popular book; Love, Courtship and Marriage.

AURORA ARAGON QUEZON[1888-1949] Humanitarian, social worker
Stamps: B1952H19, A1962L23, A1972L21, A1982D28, A1983E20, A1984C26.2, A1984E08, A1986F14, A1988K07,
Born in Baler, Tayabas on February 19. As First Lady, she led civic and charitable drives and donated money and land to build hospitals. Received an honorary degree of humanities from Marygrove College in Detroit, Michigan, USA.

DR OLIVIA D. SALAMANCA [1889-1913] First Filipino Lady Physician
Stamps: A1989E18,
Born in San Roque, Cavite on July 1. Finished two years of high school at age 15. Studied at the St. Paul's Institution in Minnesota as scholar. Admitted to the Drexel Institute of Technology in Philadelphia (1906) and graduated in June 1910. Passed the civil service exam in medicine (1910). Died in Hongkong for tuberculosis at the age of 24.

GABRIELA SILANG [1731-1763] The Ilocana "Joan of Arc"
Stamps: A1962K15, A1963F12, A1974E15,
Born in Barrio Canrogan, Santa, Ilocos Sur on March 19. Married Diego Silang (1757) and accompanied him in the battelfield. Upon his death, recruited savage Tinguians in Abra, and staged failed attacks in Cabugao and Vigan. Captured by the Spannish and executed by hanging. She was the first woman to lead a male army against a foreign oppressor.