This November, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative invites audiences to meet the first Filipina revolutionary in GABRIELA: The Musical, an epic new musical set in 18th century Ilocos.
Told through myth, magic, and mystery, the musical reintroduces Gabriela as a co-author of the revolution–present from the beginning and later tasked with holding it together as it fractures. As she reconnects with her Itneg roots, Gabriela moves between worlds becoming both battleground and bridge. At its core, the musical is a love story between people who believed that a different life was possible.
Leading the production in the titular role is acclaimed musical theatre actress Gab Pangilinan. Known for her resonant performances and commanding stage presence, Pangilinan most recently appeared as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and is widely celebrated for her performance as Roxane in Mula Sa Buwan. Her theatre credits also include Ang Huling El Bimbo, The Last Five Years, and more.
On stepping into the role, Pangilinan shares: “It’s no secret that Gabriela Silang is a revolutionary heroine of the Philippines— the first female leader who fought against Spanish colonization. To portray this Filipina was never in my theatre actor bingo card and trust me when I say that I do not take this lightly. Isang malaking karangalan (at responsibilidad) ang gumanap bilang Gabriela Silang. Alongside the incredible company of Gabriela: The Musical, I’m looking forward to the journey we’re about to take on together. Immensely grateful for this opportunity to originate a new role and I promise to take care of her.”
For playwright Pat Valera, known for works such as Mula Sa Buwan, Bar Boys: The Musical, and Dekada ’70, GABRIELA marks his fourth original Filipino musical.
“I’ve spent more than five years researching Gabriela Silang, and the more I came to know her, the more questions arose. Why does Gabriela’s story begin only after her husband’s death? If she was such a revered general, could she have been an active part of the revolution from the beginning? Able to unite a divided people, could Gabriela have imagined the beginnings of a nation? We explore these questions (and more) in the musical. In doing so, I believe we have shaped a nuanced and complex journey for Gabriela—a story of a woman in love, a grieving warrior, and the kind of leader we continue to yearn for today.”
Bringing this vision to the stage is director Mikko Angeles, who previously helmed Bar Boys: The Musical. He shares: “With Pat Valera’s script and Myke Salomon’s music, bringing Gabriela Silang’s narrative to the stage means looking beyond the familiar historical figure and discovering the myth, magic, and mystery that surround her. On the page, the scale encompasses time, reality and the cosmos. Ang dami agad elements and demands na kailangang paghandaan. Plus, iba din yung responsibilidad na kaakibat sa pangangalaga ng kultura. Apart from tracing history, we are shaping Gabriela: The Musical as a reimagination of her love and revolution through the lens of rage and sacrifice — a woman transformed by loss, drawn toward destiny, and compelled to confront her identity. Alam na ba namin kung paano gawin? Hindi pa — that’s what makes it an exciting challenge.”
Gabriela: The Musical begins performances on November 13, 2026 at the Hyundai Hall, Areté, Quezon City. Tickets for the opening weekend are now available at bit.ly/gabrielatickets. Ticket buyers from July 13, 2026 to August 17, 2026 will receive a complimentary souvenir program as a thank-you keepsake from the production for getting tickets early.
Additional casting and production announcements will be released soon. For more information, follow @barefootcollab on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.
