The Museo of the ilustrados

We have heard of a museum, located on the campus of De La Salle University in Dasmarinas, Cavite, that is not only preserving our history, but recreating it (specifically the ilustrado period). It is what we call a living museum.

The evolution of the ilustrado culture — culture and society of the awakened Filipino — occurred in the mid-to-late 19th century. During this time the promotion of enlightenment and forward thinking through formal education was honored. There was an impetus, a surge forward, to create and understand what it was and what it meant to be Filipino. Intellectual curiosity was key. In our history the ilustrado period had its standard-bearer in Jose Rizal.

Much of the beauty of the ilustrado period has been forgotten or is no longer taught (a similar situation with all Philippine history). We learn the broad strokes of the period, writ large on our history, but forget to teach the elegance of the time. This was one of the first times in Philippine history where the Filipino was able to truly express himself through the written word; through house and hearth; through possession and fashion and style; and even through color. With the opening of the Suez Canal (in 1869) paints were available in the Philippines, and we took advantage of it. The home became an extension of the family and each room an expression of the individual. The bahay na bato architectural form (after which the Museo de La Salle is modeled) was that periods expression of what a home should be. It was a combination of multiple sources: the bahay kubo, Spanish and Basque house architecture and even Chinese influences. The bahay na bato, though, was quintessentially a Filipino home.  

In the 1800s there was a distinguished Spanish journalist by the name of Jose del Pan who wrote: “How much better for all concerned if Filipinos were taught to be useful rather than the liberal arts.” Education is more than just learning skills; it is being taught how to think and ask questions. The ilustrado class was a highly educated class; they studied in liberal arts colleges in Manila, and many studied in Europe as well. As a result, they were exposed to a new world of thought; a new way of thinking. They discovered what it meant to be a citizen and even what the role of a government is, and what it should be doing for a nation and its people. This was a catalytic era: A period of change; philosophically, socially and intellectually. And it was formed on a foundation of education.

While chronologically the ilustrado period has come to an end, we believe that the spirit of that time still exists in the Philippines. They valued education and the pursuit of intellectual interests. What was true then, remains true today: Social change begins with education. This is a lesson we can learn from the ilustrado era.

To understand an era, there must be a way to explore it: museums like the Museo de La Salle help us understand historical eras (in this case the ilustrado period). We get to see and understand what it meant to live as an ilustrado. More importantly, it helps to remind us of a truly remarkable period in Philippine history. We hope the Museo develops programs to educate students and visitors on the importance of the ilustrado period. This would make it an even more invaluable educational tool. We recommend that everyone should visit the Museo to experience a piece of Philippine history. 

To learn more about the Museo de La Salle please call (02) 844-7832 - (046) 416-4397.