Diego and Gabriela Silang

The Revolt of the Ilocandia

Handout 4 E
Diego Silang
• Was native of Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Raised by Spanish friars in their convent, thus he was
intelligent and exposed to Spanish atrocities.
• He worked as messenger to Friars, courier of letters and documents from Vigan and
Manila, back and forth.
• From his regular travels, he observed the sufferings of the natives.
• He was inspired by the invasion of the Manila by the British forces and organized an
uprising in the Ilocos region.
• The British made an alliance with Diego and promised him cannons. But the British last
only a month, Diego got only one cannon, but still continued with the revolt.
• The Spanish government put a bounty on his head, Diego’s friend took the bait and
assassinated Diego.
• Diego’s goal was to establish a separate Republic of Ilocandia
Gabriel Silang
• Wife of Diego who continued the fight of her husband.
• Was a daughter of a Spanish farmer and an Itneg from the mountain
province.
• Was widowed at 25 and inherited vast farmlands from husband.
• Met Diego and married him.
• Her fight was quickly subdued, the leadership captured, her leaders
hanged one by one before her, and she the last one to be hanged.
• The Diego and Gabriela Silang Revolt was the more popular but their
goal, though rooted on the same injustices that other natives have
been experiencing, was limited in scope.

• Their objective was to establish a separate Republic of Ilocandia for

the Ilocanos.
End of Presentation