Vicente Lava

Vicente Gregorio Baltazar Lava Sr. (December 24, 1894 – September 16, 1947) was a Filipino chemist who supported efforts toward economic independence for the Philippines and later became a leader in the communist resistance against the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

Early life and education Vicente Gregorio Baltazar Lava Sr. was born on December 24, 1894, in Bulakan, Philippines, at the end of the Spanish colonial period. He was the eldest child of Adeodato and Maria (Baltazar) Lava. From 1912 to 1916, Lava studied chemistry at the University of the Philippines. he began research on a process of extracting oil and other fuels from coconuts. During this time, he and Ruth had two children: Frances (1924–2011) and Vicente "Buddy" Jr. (1926–2006). He also discovered other processes to create coconut milk and flour, and experimented with other native products.

In 1943, the headquarters of the Hukbalahap in Luzon was raided, and Lava returned to Manila to reorganize the movement from a distance. His proposals were rejected and he was demoted in the party organization. In 1944, he worked on the organization of a new political party, the Democratic Alliance. Beginning in the same year, Lava's health deteriorated.

Post-World War II In 1946, Lava ran as a senatorial candidate of the Democratic Alliance but was not elected. Although Lava hoped to obtain equipment for his coconut process from the United States, he died of heart disease in Manila on September 16, 1947.