Diego Silang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Diego Silang
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Bust of Diego Silang at the Rizal Park, Manila
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| Governor of the Ilocos British Philippines |
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| In office 1762–1763 |
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| Personal details | |
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Diego Silang Y. Andaya
December 16, 1730 Aringay, Pangasinan, Spanish Philippines (now Aringay, La Union) |
| Died | May 28, 1763 (aged 32) Bantay, Ilocos Sur, Spanish Philippines |
| Cause of death | Assassination |
| Spouse | Maria Josefa Gabriela Cariño |
Diego Silang y Andaya (born December 16, 1730 – died May 28, 1763) was a Filipino hero. He led a big fight against Spanish rule in the northern Philippines. Diego wanted the Ilocano people to govern themselves. He believed that local leaders should run the government and the Church in Ilocos. His revolt was also fueled by unfair Spanish taxes and abuses. After he was killed, his brave wife, Gabriela Cariño, continued his fight.
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Diego Silang's Early Life
Diego Silang was born in Aringay, Pangasinan. This area is now part of Caba or Aringay in La Union. His father was Pangasinense and his mother was Ilocano. He was baptized on January 7, 1731, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
As a young man, Diego worked as a messenger for a Spanish priest in Vigan. He was very smart and spoke Spanish well. His journeys carrying messages from Ilocos to Manila showed him how unfair the Spanish rulers were. These trips planted the idea of rebellion in his mind.
Why Diego Silang Rebelled
In the 1760s, a big war called the Seven Years' War was happening in Europe. Spain joined forces with France against Great Britain. To weaken Spain, the British attacked the Spanish colonies.
In October 1762, British ships captured Manila, the capital of the Spanish Philippines. This made many Filipinos angry and inspired them to fight back. People in Ilocos Norte and Cagayan, who were already unhappy with Spanish rule, started their own uprisings.
Diego Silang first offered to help the Spanish. He wanted to replace Spanish officials in Ilocos with local Filipino leaders. But the Spanish leaders, who were desperate, gave their power to the Catholic Bishop of Nueva Segovia (Vigan). The Bishop refused Diego's offer. This made Diego even more determined to fight for his people's freedom.
The Fight for Freedom
Diego Silang then decided to lead his own revolt. He gathered many Ilocano people who shared his anger about Spanish taxes and unfair treatment. He wanted to create an independent Ilocano state. His goal was to have Ilocano officials lead both the government and the Church in their region.
His movement grew strong, especially in Vigan, the capital of Ilocos. The rebels demanded freedom from taxes and wanted to remove the Spanish governor. The Bishop tried to calm things down, but Diego was set on taking control. He began to gather more troops for bigger actions.
Diego Silang's Tragic End
Sadly, Diego Silang's fight for freedom ended too soon. He was killed by one of his friends, a Spanish-Ilocano man named Miguel Vicos. Church leaders paid Vicos to assassinate Silang. Pedro Becbec also helped in the plot. Diego Silang was only about 32 years old when he died on May 28, 1763.
Gabriela Silang Continues the Fight
After Diego's death, his brave wife, Gabriela Silang, took over the leadership of the revolt. She was a strong Itneg woman and fought with great courage. The Spanish sent a large army to stop her. She was forced to retreat to Abra.
Gabriela led her troops back towards Vigan, but they were pushed back again. She fled to Abra once more, where she was eventually captured. On September 20, 1763, Gabriela and her men were hanged. Gabriela was the last one to be executed. Her bravery made her a hero, just like her husband.
Images for kids
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A postcard depicting Diego Silang
