LORENZO S. ILUSTRE (1886-1922) Musician and Band Leader ...

LORENZO S. ILUSTRE
(1886-1922)
Musician and Band Leader
Born in Ibaan, Batangas, on August 8, 1866, Lorenzo Ilustre was the son of Nicolas
Ilustre and his wife Narcisa Saez.
He first studied under the guidance of the town’s parish priest whose generosity he
repaid by singing for the church choir. Belonging to a musically inclined family, he was
prevailed upon by his parents to take formal training in music under the tutelage of his uncle,
Maestro Lino Ilustre, Batangas church organist and composer of “Jota Batangueña.” This
enabled him to compose church music at a young age. At 15, he had already composed liturgical
songs that were sung during the Lenten and Mayflower seasons. He was also adept at playing
several musical instruments, particularly the clarinet, which he mastered. His superb playing
earned for him the title, “Estrella del Orienta” (Star of the East}, conferred on him by the
Spaniards.
One time, a high Spanish official saw Ilustre conduct a band during a Sunday afternoon
concert in Batangas. He so impressed the official with his performance that he was immediately
drafted into the active service of the Spanish army. He was assigned to conduct the Spanish
regimental band which toured Batangas, Cebu, and Iligan in Mindanao.
Ilustre was a highly respected musician during his time. Musicians from other towns
who participated in the town fiestas in Batangas always paid him homage by playing first at this
residence.
Ilustre served in the Spanish army for 10 years, after which he returned to Batangas and
spent his time composing church music, danzas, mazurkas, pasodobles, violin works, and short
instrumental melodies. He also composed nationalistic pieces. Some of these were the music to
Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo Adios,” which he composed in 1921 and was played at the unveiling
ceremonies of the hero’s monument in Batangas; the “Himno Al Recibimiento de Los Restos de
Apolinario Mabini,” played when the Sublime Paralytic’s remains were permanently interred in
Batangas.
When the revolution against Spain broke out in 1896, Ilustre joined Gen. Miguel
Malvar’s forces which were stationed in the sector around Mt. Banoy embracing the Batangas
towns of Rosario, Ibaan and Taysan. When the Americans occupied the country following the
defeat of Spain, he surrendered to Capt. D.H. Boughton of the Third Cavalry, United States
Army, who was the officer-in-charge of civil affairs in the province.
Ilustre was inducted later as conductor of the Filipino-American regimental band, which
toured Manila and the surrounding provinces.
After his stint with the American army, he retired and opened the Ang Kaibigan store in
Batangas.
Ilustre died on June 3, 1922 in Batangas, Batangas, leaving behind his wife, Apolonia
Guerra y Pastor of Ibaan, four daughters, and two sons.

Reference:
CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art Volume 6. Manila: Cultural Center of the Philippines,
1994.