ilustrados

Ilustrados is a term used to describe the educated Filipino elite of the late 19th century during Spanish colonial rule. The word derives from the Spanish Ilustración, or Enlightenment, and referred to men and women who received formal schooling in Manila and abroad, especially in Europe. Many were professionals such as lawyers, doctors, teachers, and journalists who used their training to advocate for reforms.

The ilustrados played a leading role in the Propaganda Movement, a reformist effort that sought greater civil rights, representation in the Spanish Cortes, secularization of education, and modernization of Philippine society. They operated through journals, newspapers, essays, and petitions, arguing for gradual changes within the framework of Spanish sovereignty rather than immediate independence. Their writings helped popularize liberal ideas, national consciousness, and a critique of colonial abuses.

Prominent ilustrados include Jose Rizal, Graciano López Jaena, and Marcelo H. del Pilar. Rizal’s novels and essays condemned abuses by colonial authorities and the church, while his contemporaries led reform campaigns and professional networks. Although not all illustrados supported full independence, their efforts contributed to a shifting sense of Filipino identity and laid the groundwork for subsequent nationalist movements and revolutionary activities.

Legacy and usage: The ilustrados are regarded as catalysts in the formation of modern Filipino nationalism and identity, blending Enlightenment ideals with local concerns. In contemporary Philippines, the term can also describe the educated middle class or intellectually inclined segments of urban society, reflecting a lingering association with education and liberal ideas.