BTC, Pat Valera To Collaborate On “Bolo Up, Gabriela!”

Barefoot Digital Collaborative president Pat Valera introduces a series of symposiums that will talk about the behind-the-scenes on its production, research, and creative process behind Gabriela: The Musical

Words Henry Ramirez
Art by Jade Dorado
August 20, 2026

Art by Jade Dorado

Barefoot Theatre Collaborative (BTC) will hold a series of symposiums starting August 15 as the theatre company ramps up for their upcoming play titled, Gabriela: The Musical from November 13 to December 6 at the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City.

For its first iteration, the series of talks will commence with playwright-researcher and BTC president Pat Valera to discuss the research and creative process behind the production of Gabriela.

The conference will discuss significantly on the four recurring elements in the musical, including the bolo, the horse, the flowing skirt, and the face fixed in rage or defiance.

The talk will also tackle the attention on the shift from earlier portrayals shaped by Catholic and Ilocano conventions to later works that bring Gabriela’s lineage of Itneg into perspective.

Valera, known for his contributions in the production industry with works including Mula sa Buwan, Dekada ‘70: Isang Musikal, and Bar Boys: The Musical; and this coming November, he will once again take stage for his fourth original work with Gabriela.

Gabriela, played by Gab Pangilinan, is a musical play that retells the story of Gabriela Silang, the first Filipina revolutionary that fought for the independence of the Philippines during Spanish colonialism.

Shedding light to the Filipina warrior, Silang is remembered for her strength as a furious fighter, mostly dubbed in her time as the “Joan of Arc of Ilocandia.” 

With direction under Mikko Angeles, music by Myke Salomon, and book and lyrics by Valera, the production will tackle on Silang’s traces of life, spotlighting on love, grief, and courage.

The musical will begin on November 13 until December 6, 2026, at the Hyundai Hall in Areté - Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City. 

With a runtime of two hours and 45 minutes, this musical love story will feature the story of how her husband, Diego Silang, co-authored a revolution fueled by grief and revenge.