Philippines: September 10

The Widow

Exactly 247 years ago today, bravery of Filipinos is being written in history as a revolutinary leader challenges a powerful conqueror/nation in a historic battle. And these revolutionaries with Ilocano and Tinguian warriors were led not by a General but a woman, a widow named Gabriela Silang. Few days after the battle, Gabriela was executed but her legacy lived on.

Born in Barangay Caniogan, Santa, Ilocos Sur, Silang was a mestiza, of Spanish and Ilocano descent. In 1757, she married a 27-year-old Ilocano insurgent leader, Diego Silang. She became one of his closest advisors, a major figure in her husband's collaboration with the British and the brief expulsion of Spanish officials from Vigan, Ilocos Sur during the British occupation of the Philippines.

After her husband was assassinated by order of royal and church authorities in Manilaon May 28, 1763, Gabriela fled on horseback to the mountains of Abra to establish her headquarters, reassemble her troops, and rally the Tingguian community to fight. They descended on Vigan on September 10, 1763. But the garrison was ready, amassing Spanish, Tagalog, and Kapampangan soldiers, and Ilocano collaborators to ambush her and rout her forces. Many were killed. She escaped, alongside her uncle Nicolás and seven others, but later caught on September 29, 1763. They were summarily hanged in Vigan's plaza, with Gabriela being the last to die.

Her complete name is María Josefa Gabriela Cariño Silang.