The word "illustrado" is spelled with the letter "i" as the second letter, followed by three consonants: "l," "l," and "s." The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is [ilus'tɾaðo]. The first syllable "ilus" is pronounced with a stress on the first syllable and a long "i" sound as in "beet." The second syllable "tra" is pronounced with a "t" sound followed by a tap "r" and a short "a" sound. The last syllable "do" is pronounced with a long "o" sound as in "go."
Illustrado is a term that originated in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. It refers to a distinct social class of educated and wealthy Filipinos who were considered the intellectual elite or enlightened nobility. The term "illustrado" is derived from the Spanish word "ilustrado," which means "enlightened" or "knowledgeable."
Members of the illustrado class were typically educated in European schools and were well-versed in Spanish language, literature, and culture. They played a significant role in the propagation of liberal ideas and the fight for political reforms in the Philippines during the late 19th century and early 20th century.
The illustrados were instrumental in advocating for reforms, such as equality, representation, and justice, through various means like writing, public speaking, and organizing movements. Their main objective was to raise awareness among the Filipino masses about the unjust colonial rule of Spain and to strive towards social progress and independence.
This class represented the educated elite who often had connections with powerful politicians, Spanish officials, and other influential individuals in society. They used their education and intellectual capacity to challenge the oppressive Spanish regime and to promote national consciousness and pride among their fellow Filipinos.
In summary, an illustrado is a member of the educated Filipino elite during the Spanish colonial period who played a vital role in the fight for reforms, national consciousness, and independence from Spain.
The word "illustrado" comes from the Spanish language and has its roots in the verb "ilustrar", meaning "to illustrate" or "to enlighten". In the context of its historical usage, "illustrado" refers to an educated or enlightened person. The term was commonly used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the Philippines to describe a group of Filipino intellectuals, professionals, and leaders who were advocating for reforms and demanding greater rights and equality under Spanish colonial rule. The "Illustrados" played a significant role in the Philippine nationalistic and independence movements.