Thread by @indiohistorian

#TodayinHistory in 1763, Maria Josefa Gabriela Cariño de Silang or Gabriela Silang, general of the Ilocano revolt vs. Spain, was executed by hanging, after mounting a revolt that threatened the Spanish hold on the entire #Ilocos region. (THREAD) #PH tmblr.co/ZtGCUx2JtPyIk

Born on 19 March 1731, in Caniogan, Santa, in Ilocos Sur, she was raised by Fray Tomas Millan, assured of ample education & religion. At 20 yrs old, she was forced to be married to a wealthy man who died 3 years after, leaving her w/ his wealth.

A widow that she was, she got acquainted w/ Diego Silang, a courier of the Spanish gov, who wooed her for 5 yrs until they married in 1757. Diego Silang's travels across the regions opened his eyes to the unfair taxation, & forced labor on Filipinos.

In 1762, as part of the Seven Years' War, 🇬🇧 conquered & occupied Manila (#Intramuros), while the 🇪🇸 colonial gov center was forcibly moved to Pampanga. This destroyed the notion that Spain couldn't be defeated. W/ determination, Diego mounted an Ilocandia revolt in Dec 1762.

Diego Silang was able to establish contact w/ the British, who respected him. Proving to be a threat to the Spanish dominion on #PH, Gov-Gen Simon de Anda had 2 moles assassinate Diego Silang on 28 May 1763. W/ her husband's death, Gabriela assumed command of the revolt.

W/ her aide & uncle Nicolas Cariño, she led her 1st battle vs. the Spaniards w/ a few hundred men at Santa, and defeated the Spanish forces one after the other. Regrouping in Pidigan, Abra, she & her troops allied w/ the Itneg warriors, forming a formidable command.

In early Aug 1763, Ilocanos fought the Spaniards in the Battle of Cabugao but this ended in defeat. However, by end of the month, Gabriela mustered 2,000 men in a bid to retake Vigan. Meanwhile, the Spaniards assembled 6,000 men w/ 300 archers to defend Vigan.

On 10 Sept 1763, the Battle of Vigan took place. But misjudging a patch of trees for masses of enemy soldiers, Gabriela’s army did not go immediately into the offensive, & this would cost them dearly. In battle, her army fell into disarray & retreated to the mountains of Abra.

The Spaniards overtook approx. 80 wounded & exhausted army of Gabriela Silang. They were captured & brought to Vigan to be executed. On 20 Sept 1763, Gabriela was forced to watch as each of her 80+ surviving men were hanged at Vigan's plaza. She was last to be executed. #Bayani.

*Photos:

- Gabriela Silang Monument at Ayala Triangle, Makati City, sculpted by Jose M. Mendoza, 1971, from lens of Keith Kelly
- Map of the British conquest of Manila, from the Official Gazette 2010-2016

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