There are a lot of other places around the web that discuss or are associated with Francisco Baltazar. We certainly aren't the first and we definitely won't be the last. Some of them have already been linked in previous posts in this blog, but those aren't nearly enough, so we got quite a bit more for others to view.
Just in case people need to know, all sites we linked to in this blog are not ours and belong to their respective creators.
To Infinity and Beyond
Labels: Francisco Baltazar , Other , To Infinity and Beyond
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.
Labels: Cay Celia , Florante at Laura , Francisco Baltazar , Review , To Celia
The Masteripece
Florante at Laura and the History of the Filipino Book
From: Book History
Volume 8, 2005
pp. 131-197 | 10.1353/bh.2005.0008
Volume 8, 2005
pp. 131-197 | 10.1353/bh.2005.0008
In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:
Read more>>
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.
Read more>>
Labels: Florante at Laura , Francisco Baltazar , Patricia May B. Jurilla , Poem , Review , The masterpiece
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.
Labels: a tragic comedy , comedy , Francisco Baltazar , komedya , madispoint03 , Orosman at Zafira , Review
Of Medals and Honors
Despite the title, Francisco Baltazar didn't actually get any awards when he was still alive. In fact, he was even imprisoned twice during his lifetime! No wonder he didn't want his children to follow in his footsteps after he died.
However, he did get something for his efforts. They are listed in this post for all of you to see.
- He got a Philippine debate form named after him. It's called Balagtasan and it's done in extemporaneous verse.
- His official title is "Prince of Tagalog Poets". Pretty nice, eh?
- The Francisco Balagtas Elementary School (FBES), located along Alvarez Street in Santa Cruz, Manila, was erected in honor of him.
- Plaza Balagtas in Pandacan, Manila was named after him. The streets in Pandacan Manila were named after Florante and Laura characters, also to honor him.
- Continuing the trend of naming things after him, his hometown Bigaa in Bulacan changed its name to Balagtas, Bulacan.
Labels: Awards , Francisco Baltazar , Honors
Penned and Pinned # 5
To those who still want to read some more poetry by Balagtas and don't want the hassle of searching, here's yet another piece of literature just for you.
Sa Babasa Nito
Salamat sa iyo, ó nánasang írog,
cong halagahán mo itóng aquing pagod,
ang tulâ ma,i, bucál nang bait na capós,
paquiquinaban~gan nang ibig tumaróc.
Cong sa bigláng tin~gi,i, bubót at masacláp
palibhasa,i, hilao at mura ang balát
ngunit cung namnamín ang sa lamáng lasáp
masasarapán din ang babasang pantás.
Di co hinihin~ging pacamahalín mo,
tauana,t, dustaín ang abáng tulâ co
gauin ang ibigui,t, alpa,i, na sa iyó
ay houag mo lamang baguhin ang verso.
Cong sa pagbasa mo,i, may tulang malabo
bago mo hatulang catcatin at licô
pasuriin muna ang luasa,t, hulô
at maquiquilalang malinao at uastô.
Ang may tandang letra alin mang talata
dimo mauatasa,t, malalim na uicà
ang mata,i, itin~gin sa dacong ibabâ
boong cahuluga,i, mapag uunauà.
Hangán dito acó ó nánasang pantás,
sa cay Sigesmundo,i, houag ding mátulad
sa gayóng catamis uicang masasaráp
ay sa cababago nang tula,i, umalat.
(Sa cursiva o bastardilla)
cong halagahán mo itóng aquing pagod,
ang tulâ ma,i, bucál nang bait na capós,
paquiquinaban~gan nang ibig tumaróc.
Cong sa bigláng tin~gi,i, bubót at masacláp
palibhasa,i, hilao at mura ang balát
ngunit cung namnamín ang sa lamáng lasáp
masasarapán din ang babasang pantás.
Di co hinihin~ging pacamahalín mo,
tauana,t, dustaín ang abáng tulâ co
gauin ang ibigui,t, alpa,i, na sa iyó
ay houag mo lamang baguhin ang verso.
Cong sa pagbasa mo,i, may tulang malabo
bago mo hatulang catcatin at licô
pasuriin muna ang luasa,t, hulô
at maquiquilalang malinao at uastô.
Ang may tandang letra alin mang talata
dimo mauatasa,t, malalim na uicà
ang mata,i, itin~gin sa dacong ibabâ
boong cahuluga,i, mapag uunauà.
Hangán dito acó ó nánasang pantás,
sa cay Sigesmundo,i, houag ding mátulad
sa gayóng catamis uicang masasaráp
ay sa cababago nang tula,i, umalat.
(Sa cursiva o bastardilla)
- Francisco Balagtas
Labels: Florante at Laura , Francisco Baltazar , Penned and Pinned , Poem , Sa Babasa Nito , Samples
Penned and Pinned # 4
Did you enjoy the first three poems posted in this little series? If you have, then here's the next one to satisfy any poetry cravings you might have gotten from reading the previous entries.
Comienzo De La
Narracion
1.
Érase un sombrío, melancólico bosque,
maraña sin intersticios de espinoso bejuco;
donde con harta fatiga pugnaban los rayos de Febo
por visitar su interior de sobejana espesura.
2.
Gigantescos árboles daban allí
tan sólo apesaramientos, congojas y tristura;
canto todavía de las aves ponía espanto
al ánimo más sereno y regocijado.
3.
Cuantas yedras sarmentosas se enredaban
en las ramas, iban armadas de púas;
y las frutas, afelpadas, picaban
al que se acercaba y las tocaba.
4.
Las flores de los enhiestos árboles,
paramentos salientes de las hojas,
eran negras y armonizaban
con el olor que producía vértigos.
5.
En su mayoría cipreses y bajunas higueras,
cuya sombra abochornaba,
sin frutos y de anchas hojas
que oscurecían el interior del bosque.
6.
Todavía, los animales que aquí pululaban
eran en su mayoría serpientes y basiliscos en abundancia,
hienas y tigres carnívoros, que así devoraban
al hombre como a los de su especie que vencían.
7.
Este bosque hallábase a la vera de la puerta
del Averno,[4] reino del huraño Plutón,
y sus dominios regaba
el río Cocito de venenosas aguas.
8.
Hacia el centro de este mustio bosque
se levantaba una higuera de desteñidas hojas;
aquí estaba atado el infortunadísimo
a quien su mal sino persiguió.
9.
Su continente era de mancebo,
a pesar de tener manos, pies y cuello sujetos,
si no era Narciso, era verdadero Adonis,
su rostro fulguraba en medio de los tormentos.
10.
Tersa la piel y cual yema de huevo,
tenía las pestañas y cejas hechas puro arco,
el color del cabello era de recién purificado oro
y las prendas del cuerpo en justa armonía.
11.
Hubiera allí oréadas,
bosque-palacio de feroces arpías,
tendrían misericordia y amor
al trasunto de la hermosura y del infortunio.
.......
Francisco Baltazar
Érase un sombrío, melancólico bosque,
maraña sin intersticios de espinoso bejuco;
donde con harta fatiga pugnaban los rayos de Febo
por visitar su interior de sobejana espesura.
2.
Gigantescos árboles daban allí
tan sólo apesaramientos, congojas y tristura;
canto todavía de las aves ponía espanto
al ánimo más sereno y regocijado.
3.
Cuantas yedras sarmentosas se enredaban
en las ramas, iban armadas de púas;
y las frutas, afelpadas, picaban
al que se acercaba y las tocaba.
4.
Las flores de los enhiestos árboles,
paramentos salientes de las hojas,
eran negras y armonizaban
con el olor que producía vértigos.
5.
En su mayoría cipreses y bajunas higueras,
cuya sombra abochornaba,
sin frutos y de anchas hojas
que oscurecían el interior del bosque.
6.
Todavía, los animales que aquí pululaban
eran en su mayoría serpientes y basiliscos en abundancia,
hienas y tigres carnívoros, que así devoraban
al hombre como a los de su especie que vencían.
7.
Este bosque hallábase a la vera de la puerta
del Averno,[4] reino del huraño Plutón,
y sus dominios regaba
el río Cocito de venenosas aguas.
8.
Hacia el centro de este mustio bosque
se levantaba una higuera de desteñidas hojas;
aquí estaba atado el infortunadísimo
a quien su mal sino persiguió.
9.
Su continente era de mancebo,
a pesar de tener manos, pies y cuello sujetos,
si no era Narciso, era verdadero Adonis,
su rostro fulguraba en medio de los tormentos.
10.
Tersa la piel y cual yema de huevo,
tenía las pestañas y cejas hechas puro arco,
el color del cabello era de recién purificado oro
y las prendas del cuerpo en justa armonía.
11.
Hubiera allí oréadas,
bosque-palacio de feroces arpías,
tendrían misericordia y amor
al trasunto de la hermosura y del infortunio.
.......
Labels: Francisco Baltazar , Penned and Pinned , Poem , Samples
