BALAGTAS, Francisco

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, Kiko 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, Kiko 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 our countrymen 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".