Diego Silang y Andaya (December 16, 1730 - May 28, 1763) was raised as an Ilocano; his father was Pangasinense. He was a revolutionary leader who conspired with British forces to overthrow the Spanish in the northern Philippines and establish an independent Ilocano nation. His revolt was fueled by grievances stemming from Spanish tributes and abuses, and his belief in self-government, that the administration and leadership of the Roman Catholic Church and government in the Ilocos Region (which at this time did not include Pangasinan) should be led by trained Ilocano officials.
Born in Aringay, Pangasinan (an area in present-day Caba or Aringay, La Union), he worked as a messenger for a local Castilian priest in Vigan, Ilocos Sur. Bright, passionate and fluent in Spanish, he ferried correspondence from the Ilocos to Manila, journeys that gave him his first glimpse of colonial injustice and that planted the seeds of rebellion.
He was killed by one of his friends, a Spanish-Ilocano mestizo named Miguel Vicos who was paid by church authorities to assassinate him.
After Diego Silang's death, his wife, Josefa Gabriela, took over the revolt and fought courageously. A strong force was sent against her. She was forced to retreat to Abra. Riding a fast horse, Gabriela led her troops towards Vigan, but she was driven back. She fled again to Abra, where she was captured. On September 20, 1763, she and about 100 followers were executed by the Spanish authorities.