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Diego Baltazar Silang was born on December 16, 1730 in Aringay, La Union. His parents were Miguel Silang from Aringay, and Nicolasa Delos Santos from Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
When he became a young man, Diego worked as a helper for Fr. Cortes y Crisolo, the parish priest of Vigan. He was very witty, and a fast learner. He became fluent in Spanish. He was then entrusted by Fr. Crisolo to be his messenger. He would deliver messages from Vigan to Manila; traveling by boat. On one instance, the boat he was riding were attacked and wrecked by the wild Zambal natives along the coast of Zambales. The passengers were either drowned or killed by the natives; but Diego was lucky to be spared. He became a slave to the natives whom he soon befriended. A Recollect Missionary ransomed him.
After that incident, he went back to his duty-carrying letters to Manila. He married Josefa Gabriela, a young widow from Santa, Ilocos Sur.
Once again during his travel to Manila, Diego encountered another incident. He was waiting for the Galleon Filipino from Acapulco when he saw the British Squadron entered Manila Bay; that was September 1762. The British were demanding the surrender of the city, but the Spaniards refused. The British forces bombarded the city on September 24, 1762. Manila was finally captured on October 1762.
Diego Silang realized that the Spaniards were also weak. He went home to Pangasinan and contemplated over his thoughts with his parents. They agreed to form a revolt. He conspired with Lopes, his relative who led the camp in Pangasinan. He went to Vigan and started an uprising. The people of Vigan were open to his ideas.
Soon after, simultaneous uprisings happened in Pangasinan, Cagayan, Laguna, and Batangas. He was called the leader of the Ilocanos. Meanwhile, the Spaniards were busy fighting against the British forces and tried to stay in power in the provinces. Diego, who was becoming popular, was caught and imprisoned. Father Millan, who once gave shelter to Diego, helped him to be released.
As soon as he got his freedom back, Diego started to work double time. It excited the people thus he attracted many followers who joined him and led an army. He became more cautious and prepared to possible attacks of the Spaniards. He assigned guards who were stationed by the sea and land. He was becoming successful in building an army. Simon de Anda, magistrate of the audencia, ordered for his surrender within 9 days, otherwise he would be treated as a traitor.
Silang never surrendered; instead, he tried to conspire with the British forces. He wrote a letter addressed to the British leader stating his acknowledgement of the British majesty. He, in return, received an appointment by the British government as Sarjento Mayor and Alcalde Mayor. He gained the power to choose minor and subordinate officials.
He was becoming a pain in the neck of the Spaniards. Anda planned for Diego's assassination. He offered reward and Spain's gratitude to whoever can turn down Diego. Miguel Vicos (a mestizo) and Pedro Becbec, both were friends of Diego, accepted the task.
May 28, 1763, the two visited Diego Silang at the Casa Real in Vigan. They shot Diego on his back that led to his death. After he died, his wife, Gabriela Silang, continued his missions.
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