Gabriela Silang

Gabriela Silang (March 19, 1731- September 29, 1763) wasfirst Filipino womanleadrevolt duringSpanish colonization ofPhilippines. An active member ofinsurgent forceDiego Silang, her husband, she ledgroupfour months after his capture before she herself was capturedexecuted.

Born Maria Josefa Gabriela Cariņo on March 19, 1731Caniogan, Ilocos Sur,mestiza, she was adopted bywealthy businessman who later married her attender age20, but left after three years. In 1757, she married again, this time27-year-old rebel leader Diego Silang. She became onehis closest advisors,major figureher husband's collaboration withBritish andbrief expulsionSpanish officialsVigan, Ilocos Sur.

On May 28, 1763, her husband was assassinated by orderroyalchurch authoritiesManila. After her husband's death, she fled on horseback tomountainsAbraestablish her headquarters, reassemble her troops,rallyTingguian communityfight. They descended on Vigan on September 10, 1763. ButSpanish garrison was ready, amassing Spanish, Tagalog,Kapampangan soldiersIlocano collaboratorsambush herrout her forces. Many were killed. She escaped, alongside her uncle Nicolasseven other men, but later caught on September 29, 1763. They were summarily hangedVigan's plaza.

Her ferocitydeath becamesymbolFilipino women, their pre-colonial importanceFilipino societytheir struggleliberation during colonization.

See GABRIELA.