Dung-aw

synopsis

Dung-aw is a historical and musical film that glimpses into the heroism of 18th century revolutionary leader Gabriela Silang (Armida Siguion-Reyna). Scriptwriter Mario O'Hara depicts the courage and compassion of Gabriela, despite limited information about her. Set in the time of Spaniards' usurpation of land, products and the indulto de comercio, landowning couple Diego and Gabriela resorts to tricking the colonizers with the aid of their people. A farm hand betrays them, leading to the assassination of Diego. Diego's death leads Gabriela to pick up her long knife and lead the revolution herself despite great odds. She is eventually captured and publicly executed. A young revolutionary in Gabriela's army keeps his knife and awaits for the coming of a second Gabriela.