Don Vicente Encarnacion Ilustre obtained a law doctorate at the Universidad Central de Madrid. It was also in Madrid that he associated with other Filipino patriots like Rizal, Plaridel, Naning Ponce, Galicano Apacible and others – whose chief pre-occupation was resolving the seething Philippine situation.
He left Madrid fro Paris and on January 8, 1900, proceeded to Hongkong where he accepted the offer by the Mabini cabinet to represent the country in the United States. He was consequently elected Director of Diplomacy in the Central Revolucionaria de Hongkong.
In 1913, Vicente became a member of the Philippine Commission under Gov. Gen. Francis Burton Harrison where he served as president of the Committee for Mindanao and Sulu. Thereafter, he became a Senator in the First Senate of the Philippines. He was also instrumental in the installation of two very important public utilities in Taal, that of light and water.
He was born in Taal, Batangas on Sept. 6, 1869 and died in Manila on Sept. 27, 1928 at the age of 59. He was married to Doña Rita Villavicencio.
Antonio P. Serrano, M.D.
/ February 2, 2011I was born in Taal but grew up in Lemery. My family lives in Ilustre street. When I was growing up, the biggest house in Ilustre stree was owned by Ilustres. Ihave no idea at that time that the name of the stree was named after Vicente Ilustre. I still do not know where the name Lemry came from. Thank you for posting the historical significance of Mr. Vicente Ilustre.
I.G.A.
/ February 22, 2011very interesting article, does the Ilustre house still stands??
roberto ilustre
/ March 23, 2011yes the ilustre’s house is still there but it’s maintained anymore
roberto ilustre
/ March 23, 2011Vanie Ilustre
/ March 4, 2012where is the real origin of the surname ILUSTRE? i was born lemery but grew in balayan batangas.