Luis Rodríguez Varela
Encyclopedia
Luis Rodríguez Varela, also known as "El Conde Filipino" (the Filipino count) was an early Filipino
nationalist, active at the beginning of the 19th century.
A Criollo
and an ilustrado
who went to school in France
, Varela published a series of books advocating social change in the Philippines, inspired by the Enlightenment
and the French Revolution
. He advocated the opening of local colleges to teach subjects such as mathematics, medicine, and navigation, as well as free primary schools for the poor. Varela also believed that foreign powers held too much sway over the Filipino economy, and he accordingly worked to limit Chinese influence on the region by bolstering local business associations.
Along with José Ortega, Varela was one of several people expelled from the island by Governor Juan Antonio Martínez
on February 18, 1823, when they were accused of conspiring against the ruling authority.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
nationalist, active at the beginning of the 19th century.
A Criollo
Criollo (people)
The Criollo class ranked below that of the Iberian Peninsulares, the high-born permanent residence colonists born in Spain. But Criollos were higher status/rank than all other castes—people of mixed descent, Amerindians, and enslaved Africans...
and an ilustrado
Ilustrado
The Ilustrados constituted the Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period in the late 19th century....
who went to school in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, Varela published a series of books advocating social change in the Philippines, inspired by the Enlightenment
Age of Enlightenment
The Age of Enlightenment was an elite cultural movement of intellectuals in 18th century Europe that sought to mobilize the power of reason in order to reform society and advance knowledge. It promoted intellectual interchange and opposed intolerance and abuses in church and state...
and the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. He advocated the opening of local colleges to teach subjects such as mathematics, medicine, and navigation, as well as free primary schools for the poor. Varela also believed that foreign powers held too much sway over the Filipino economy, and he accordingly worked to limit Chinese influence on the region by bolstering local business associations.
Along with José Ortega, Varela was one of several people expelled from the island by Governor Juan Antonio Martínez
Juan Antonio Martínez
Juan Antonio Martínez was interim President of Guatemala from 16 August 1848—28 November 1848. Martinez was elected due to the resignation of President José Rafael Carrera Turcios on August 15, 1848....
on February 18, 1823, when they were accused of conspiring against the ruling authority.