Gabriela Silang is the Newest Heroine

Theater

Jul 22

Barefoot Theatre Collaborative brings female power at center stage with an epic new musical on the first female revolutionary.

Words Arizia Palomar
Photo courtesy of Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
July 22, 2026

“What turns a woman in love into a woman at war?”

Gabriela: The Musical retells the story of Gabriela Silang, with Gab Pangilinan bringing new life to the fearless warrior.

Known for her commanding stage presence and skillful vocals, Pangilinan was recently cast as Mary Magdalene in ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ She is also widely recognized for her performance as Roxane in ‘Mula sa Buwan’.

Gabriela Silang was the first female revolutionary who fought for Filipino independence during the Spanish Colonial Era. She is remembered by many for her strength as a furious fighter, even recognized as the ‘Joan of Arc of Ilocandia.’

In this new original Filipino musical produced by Barefoot Theatre Collaborative, under the direction of Mikko Angeles, book and lyrics by Pat Valera, and music by Myke Salomon, the production touches on traces of her life, placing a spotlight on love, grief, and courage.

The group has brought similar themes in productions such as Mula sa Buwan and Bar Boys: The Musical. This time, they are putting female narratives at the heart of a historical reimagining of a Filipino historical figure.

However, instead of remembering her for just the legacy she left behind, the musical focuses on the nuance and detail by highlighting the humanity of the titular role. When she meets Diego Silang, love allows her to dream of a life of freedom and a future of her own. However, this love is challenged when the life she built with him, shattered.

Through the play, it shows how a woman is transformed into a leader through these tensions.

Additionally, writer Valera’s research on Gabriela Silang arose from various inquiries that led to the musical imagining her role as a co-author in the revolution.

It encourages audiences to look beyond what we know of the heroine, and explore it through myth, magic, and mystery.

Through a reintroduction of her story and seeing it anew, audiences get to see her choice between being broken by loss or to rise above it in a time of war, conflict, and colonization.

Gabriela: The Musical will be staged at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Quezon City starting November 13. Tickets for the Opening Weekend are available now through the Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s official form: bit.ly/gabrielatickets.

Audiences who purchase Opening Weekend tickets within July 13, 2026 to August 17, 2026 will receive a complimentary souvenir program.