Biography of Francisco Balagtas

Childhood and Education

• Birth: April 2, 1788 in Panginay Bigaa Bulakan (now known as Balagtas)
• Family: Father - Juan Balagtas; Mother - Juana de la Cruz
• Nickname: Iko
• Education:
  • Worked as a servant in Tondo, Manila in exchange for education
  • Studied at Colegio de San Jose:
    • Spanish Grammar, Latin Grammar, Geography and Physics, Christian Doctrine
  • Studied at San Juan de Letran:
    • Humanities, Theology, Philosophy

Career in Poetry

• Beginnings:
  • Started by reciting poems
  • Became a renowned poet at various events
• First Love: Magdalena Ana Ramos
  • An incident with Jose de la Cruz (Jose Sisiw) motivated him to improve his poetry
• Love for Maria Asuncion Rivera (Celia):
  • Competed with Nanong Mariano Capule
  • Imprisoned on false charges
  • Wrote "Florante at Laura" in prison

Life After Imprisonment

• Move to Udyong, Bataan
  • Met Juana Tiambeng
  • Married despite opposition from the woman's parents
• Positions in Society:
  • Became a court clerk
  • Became a lieutenant mayor and judge of cement
• Re-imprisonment:
  • Due to charges of cutting a servant's hair
  • Wealth depleted due to the case

Final Years

• Death: February 20, 1862 at the age of 74
• Family:
  • Wife: Juana
  • Four children

Works and Legacy

• Florante at Laura:
  • Allegory of real-life affairs
  • Contains emotional rebellion
  • Elevated the level of literature during censorship
• Lessons from the Work:
  • False indulgence, Envy, Hypocrisy, Procrastination, Being overly trusting

Recognition of Balagtas

• Considered "Prince of Tagalog Poets"
• His determination and skill resulted in "Florante at Laura," regarded as a masterpiece