Message to a Lover

Florante at Laura - Scribd.com

Aralin 1 - Kay Selya

Ang araling ito ay nagsasalaysay at naglalarawan ng isang dalisay na pag ibig. Ito’y tungkol sa unang pag-ibig ng may-akda na si Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar kay Maria Asuncion Rivera na tinawag niyang Selya.

Iniisip ng may-akda ang mga masasayang nangyari sa kanila ni Selya, gaya ng walang hanggang pagmamahalan nila sa isa’t isa, ang larawan ni Selya na guhit sa sintang pinsel na ito raw ay inilimbag ng kanyang puso’t panimdim na kahit kalian ay hindi mananakaw sa kanya at ang mga masasayang pangyayari sa ilog Beata. Nang matauhan siya sa kanyang pag-iisip napaiyak siya dahil sa labis na kalungkutan. Marami siyang tanong sa kanyang sarili na si Selya lamang ang makakasagot nito at naisip rin niya ang mga masasayang nimfas sa ilog ng Bai at ang mga sirena na ang mga tinig ay magaganda. Sinabi ni Francisco na kahit sumakabilang buhay na siya hinahangad parin niya na ang tapat na pag-ibig ay tumagal. Tinagurian niyang M.A.R. at tinawag na Selya ang kanyang unang pag-ibig.

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The Masteripece

Florante at Laura and the History of the Filipino Book

Patricia May B. Jurilla

From: Book History
Volume 8, 2005
pp. 131-197 | 10.1353/bh.2005.0008

In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Book History 8 (2005) 131-197

Patricia May B. Jurilla

The metrical romance Florante at Laura by Francisco Baltazar (1788–1862) is a unique case in the history of Philippine literature and publishing. It holds the distinction of being the only poem published in the country that has not gone out of print since its first publication, that has been translated into various local and foreign languages, and that continues to be read to this day. Baltazar, popularly known as Balagtas, has been hailed as the greatest of Tagalog poets and his Florante at Laura acclaimed as a masterpiece. But beyond literary merit, what has ensured the survival of both poet and poem through the years is the great historical, social, and cultural value they have been granted.

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A Tragic Comedy

“Orosman at Zafira”

A review by madispoint03 on wordpress.com

THE STORY

I was endowed as well that each line they chant is a verse from a poem. Like that of Francisco Baltazar’s magnificent work “Florante at Laura”, without knowing that “Orosman at Zafira” was a work of the same author. This inkling sense of mine had just struck me upon listening to every verse they sing. Every verse has a profound meaning that pierces to one’s very soul. Every verse lulls its way to your heart. Every verse unconsciously makes one be hopeful despite a hopeless romantic life. And every verse as sang by each actors and actresses gives life to the dreams and aspirations of the author. The story seems to be hanging because Zafira had not chose to redeem what was passed to Orosman. And people, I believe, do expect of a happy ending wherein Orosman and Zafira would be reunited together. But it left the audience with so many questions. It’s like we are going to speculate our own ending. The reality also exists in the story – the lust of power and to covet what is prerogative to one. Not only lust but also jealousy and enviousness – no one can hinder no matter what.

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