Francisco Balagtas

Francisco Balagtas was born in Panginay, Bigaa (now Balagtas), Bulacan on April 2, 1788 to Juan Balagtas and Juana dela Cruz. He was also called Francisco Baltazar or Kikong Balagtas. He was married to Juana Tiambeng of Orion, Bataan by whom he had seven children.

Even as a boy, Balagtas was a lover of beauty. He loved to watch the green country and hear the rustling of the leaves. He could see "stars" in the sparks caused by the pounding of his father, a blacksmith. He could hear "music" in the sound of the shoes of horses.

Even as a boy, too, Balagtas could sense that there were injustices in his country and that his countrymen were suffering in the hands of the Spanish rulers. He could feel something was wrong, but could not fully understand why. He came to understand these when, as a young man, he fell in love with Celia, a love which brought trouble to his life. He was put to prison by his strong rival who was the town cacique1. He depicted the injustices his people suffered in his poems, notably the Florante at Laura.

Florante at Laura, Balagtas' masterpiece, depicts the evils that beset the Philippines during the Spanish regime. While Albania was the setting and the characters were of foreign names, the heroes and heroines stood for his countrymen, and the conditions described were the very ones existing in his country. The book contains passages on upright living and lessons on justice, love, respect for elders, industry, discipline and patriotism. It is considered one of the best poems and Balagtas is considered the "Prince of Tagalog Poets".

                                                                        Works

Orosmán at Zafira – a komedya (a Filipino theater form evolved from the Spanish comedia) in four parts

Don Nuño at Selinda – a komedya in three parts

Auredato at Astrome – a komedya in three parts

Clara Belmore – a komedya in three parts

Abdol at Misereanan – a komedya, staged in Abucay in 1857

Bayaceto at Dorslica – a komedya in three parts, staged at Udyong on September 27, 1857

Alamansor at Rosalinda – a komedya staged at Udyong during the town's feast

La India elegante y el negrito amante – a short play in one part

Nudo gordeano

Rodolfo at Rosemonda

Mahomet at Constanza

Claus (translated into Tagalog from Latin)

Florante at Laura, an awit (metrical narrative poem with dodecasyllabic quatrains [12 syllables per line, 4 lines per stanza]); Balagtas' masterpiece