Gregoria de Jesús, also known as Oriang, was born on September 9, 1875 in Caloocan, Philippines. She was a high-performing student as a young girl and showed great promise from an early age. At the age of 18, she met her first husband, Andres Bonifacio y Decastro, who was a fellow Filipino revolutionary.
Gregoria de Jesús played a key role in the fight against Spanish colonialism in the Philippines. She founded and served as vice president of the women's chapter of the Katipunan, a revolutionary society dedicated to overthrowing Spanish rule in the 1890s. She was known for her intelligence and bravery in intercepting information from the Spanish colonialists on behalf of the revolutionaries.
Gregoria de Jesús also organized secret meetings for the revolutionaries under the disguise of lavish parties. This clandestine work allowed the revolutionaries to strategize and plan their next moves without detection.
After the execution of her husband, Andres Bonifacio, Gregoria de Jesús married Julio Nakpil. Together, they had five children, in addition to the one child she had with Andres Bonifacio. Despite the personal tragedies she faced, Gregoria de Jesús remained dedicated to the cause of Philippine independence.
Gregoria de Jesús' contributions to the Philippine Revolution were invaluable. She risked her life on numerous occasions to gather intelligence and support the revolutionaries in their fight for freedom. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of Filipinos who continue to honor her memory and the sacrifices she made for her country.