When Rizal first met Virchow he carried a letter of introduction from Trinidad
H. Pardo de Tavera, a wealthy and well-connected creole physician originally
from Manila. Out of favor with the Spanish authorities, Pardo de Tavera’s
father had moved the family to Paris, where Trinidad completed his medical
degree. The son became a leading ilustrado, writing essays on linguistics
and Philippine medicinal plants, as well as regularly issuing civic exhortations.
Returning to Manila in the late nineteenth century he joined the faculty at Santo
Tomás. But he resisted participating in anti-colonial activities and avoided
fighting in the revolution. Instead, he led the next generation of Filipino scientists
and physicians down the path of liberal reform and assimilation. Pardo de
Tavera and his followers sought to transform Filipinos into modern civic subjects
suitable for the future nation. During the Philippine-American war he
launched La Democracia and founded the Federal Party, advocating autonomy
for the islands within the United States. From 1901 until 1909 he was a token
Filipino appointment to the Philippines Commission.