Remembering the Prince of Filipino poetry

ORION, Bataan – Francisco Baltazar, also known as Francisco Balagtas, was a prominent Filipino poet, and is widely considered as one of the greatest Filipino literary laureates for his impact on Filipino literature. The famous epic, Florante at Laura, is regarded as his defining work.

Last Friday, March 31, Governor Albert Garcia sponsored a governor’s night at the compound of Orion Elementary School primarily to pay tribute to the unparalled contribution of Balagtas to Filipino literature whose birthday falls on April 2. The event also signaled the start of Pambansang Kampong Balagtas and observance of Buwan ng Panitikang Pambansa.

Among those who graced the triple celebration were Orion Mayor Antonio Raymundo, NCCA Chair, KWF Chair- Virgilio Almario, former Board Member Gaudencio Ferrer, National Book Development Board (NBDB) Chair Flor Marie Sta. Romana-Cruz, NBDB Executive Director Jerry Tizon, Kinatawan ng Wikang Ilokano Fulltime Commissioner Purificacion Delima, Kinatawan ng Wikang Smar-Leyte Jerry Gracio, Director General Roberto Añonuevo, Kinatawan ng mga wika sa Katimuhang Pamayanang Kultural Fulltime Commissioner Lorna Flores, Program Monitoring and Evaluation Division NCCA Adelina Suemith, Dr. Isagani de Leon – Orion LGU, Education Consultant PGB – Dr. Delfin Magpantay, and the heads of the different departments of the Provincial Government of Bataan.

The guests were entertained by the superb performances of Martin Calupitan, former Editor-in-Chief of the guilds, the official student  publication of Bataan Peninsula State University (BPSU), amateur performance poets MaiMai Cantillano of BPSU and Benzi Castro of Colegio de San Juan de Letran. The BPSU Singers under the baton of Joven Magbanua serenaded the guests with timeless Filipino classics such as Ikaw Lamang, Bituing Walang Ningning and Anak, to name a few.