illustrados

The term "Ilustrados" is a Spanish word meaning "enlightened ones." It was a label applied to the educated native Filipino class during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines. These individuals were typically wealthy mestizos and indios who had received formal education, often in Manila and even in Spain.

The Ilustrados played a significant role in the development of Filipino national consciousness. Exposed to liberal and nationalist ideas from Europe, they became increasingly critical of Spanish rule and its injustices. Key figures like Jose Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Graciano Lopez Jaena were prominent Ilustrados who advocated for reforms, assimilation, and eventually, independence.

Their activism primarily took the form of writing and propaganda, seeking to expose the abuses of the friars and the Spanish government. They published newspapers, essays, and novels that challenged colonial authority and promoted a sense of Filipino identity. While not all Ilustrados initially sought full independence, their efforts laid the groundwork for the Philippine Revolution. The movement of the Ilustrados highlighted the growing desire for self-determination and intellectual awakening among the Filipino people.