Francisco Baltazar y dela Cruz (April 2, 1788 - February 20, 1862), also known as Francisco Balagtas, was a renowned Tagalog poet and the author of Florante at Laura
He was known as the "King of Tagalog Poets" and wrote poems, songs, comedies, and corridos that elevated him to the highest echelon of Tagalog poets
Kiko
Francisco Baltazar's nickname
Baltazar studied catechism, then went to Tondo in 1799 to serve his aunt Donya Trinidad, who sent him to Colegio de San Juan de Letran and Colegio de San Jose
Jose dela Cruz (or Huseng Sisiw), a renowned poet from Tondo and Baltazar's teacher, had a big influence on Baltazar's writing of poems, songs, and moro-moros
In 1835, at the age of 47, Baltazar went to Pandacan, Manila and met Maria Asuncion Rivera. He fell in love with her, but a wealthy cacique named Mariano Capule became a fierce rival
It is said that Baltazar wrote the immortal work Florante at Laura while in prison, and dedicated it wholeheartedly to Selya
After being released from prison in 1838, Baltazar moved to a different residence to forget the memory of Selya, and accepted a position in Udjong, Bataan
Baltazar later met and married Juana Tiambeng, a wealthy woman's daughter, and they had 11 children, 7 of whom died young
Baltazar passed away on February 20, 1862 in Udjong, Bataan at the age of 74
Juana dela Cruz - ina
Juan Balagtas
Isang panday at ama ni francisco balagtas
Kiko
Palayaw ni Francisco Balagtas
Jose dela Cruz (o Huseng Sisiw)
Kilalang makata mula Tondo at magaling na guro ni Baltazar
Baltazar nagtungo sa Pandacan, Lungsod Maynila at nakilala si Maria Asuncion Rivera
1835
Baltazar umibig kay Maria Asuncion Rivera
Naging karibal niya ang mayamang cacique na si Mariano Kapule
Isinulat ni Baltazar ang Florante at Laura habang nakakulong
Nakilala ni Baltazar ang mayaman at mestisang si Juana Tiambeng na nagtustos sa paglalathala ng Florante at Laura
Ipinagpatuloy ni Baltazar ang pagsusulat ng mga awitin at moro-moro hanggang sa kanyang kamatayan noong 20 Pebrero 1862 sa edad na 74
Si Francisco Baltazar at ang kanyang asawa na si Juana Tiambeng y Rodriguez, nagmula sa isang mayamang pamilya
Where was he imprisoned?
Bilangguan
Subalit isang dilag na nagngangalang Magdalena Ana Ramos ang unang bumuhag sa kanyang puso.