Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
‘Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. meus

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

EXPLANATORY NOTE

During the colonial years of the Philippines for more than 300 years from the 16" century to the
19" century, there arose sporadic revolts all over the archipelago against the colonizer, Spain, before it
culminated with the 1896 Revolution leading to the country's independence from foreign rule in 1898.
One of these scattered uprisings came from the northern part of Luzon island in the llocos Region.

Maria Josefa Gabriela Carifio Silang was born on March 19, 1731 in Santa, Ilocos Sur and she took
over the reins of her second husband. Diego Silang’s llocano uprising, after the latter was assassinated on
May 28, 1763, Gabriela Silang continued Diego’s rebel movement as commander of the rebel troops
portraying a popular image as the bolo-wielding La Generala on horseback.

On September 10, 1763, Gabriela Silang laid siege on the town of Vigan, llocos Sur but the Spanish
counterattacked forcing her to retreat to Abra and was later captured. On September 20, 1763, Gabriela
Silang and her troops were martyred by hanging in Vigan’s central plaza.

Gabriela Silang is revered as the “Joan of Arc of llocandia”. There are several monuments and
‘memorials to this date that have given homage to this first known female general of the Philippines. There
is the Order of Gabriela Silang, a third class national decoration award by the country, whose membership
is restricted to women. There is a provincial hospital in Ilocos Sur, named the Gabriela Silang General
Hospital.

{In our very own esteemed halls of Congress, there is the GABRIELA Partylist (General Assembly
Binding Women for Reforms, integrity, Equality, Leadership and Action), founded in April 1984 in her
honor, which advocates women’s rights and issues.

There is thus a need to reserve a day in the calendar for celebration in the Ilocos region so that

the llocanos can commemorate one of their own to be the embodiment of courage, patriotism and Filipino
nationalism.

DEOGRACIAS “DV" B. SAVELLANO


Republic of the Philippines

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

Eighteenth Congress
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO.__1803

Introduced by Honorable Deogracias Victor “DV” B. Savellano

AN ACT

DECLARING MARCH 19 OF EVERY YEAR A SPECIAL NON WORKING HOLIDAY IN THE PROVINCE OF ILOCOS
SUR TO COMMEMORATE THE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT ILOCANO REVOLUTIONARY
GABRIELA SILANG TO BE KNOWN AS THE GABRIELA SILANG DAY

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:
SECTION 1. February 2 of every year Is hereby declared a special non-working holiday in the Province of
llocos Sur in commemoration of the birth anniversary of the great llocano Revolutionary Gabriela Silang

which shall be known as the “Gabriela Silang Day”.

SECTION 2, The Department of Labor and Employment in consultation with the National Historical
Institute shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days upon its publication in two (2) newspapers of
national circulation,

Approved,