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Filipino Poets
Table of Contents The Filipino Shakespeare
3
Francisco Baltazar
4
Balagtasan
4
Famous Works of Francisco Baltazar
5
Fliptop: The Modern Balagtasan
6
Jose Corazon de Jesus
7
Bayan Ko
7
Ang Tren
8
Amado V. Hernandez
9
Inang Wika
10
Joel Malabanan
11
Richard Gappi
11
The Filipino Shakespeare
Francisco Baltazar Francisco Baltazar is also known as Francisco Balagtas and nicknamed as Kikong Balagtas. Born on April 2, 1788 in the humble Barrio of Panginay in the town of Bigaa. He has three siblings and he is the youngest among them. His siblings are Felipe, Concha, and Nicholasa. Balagtas’ parents are blacksmiths: Juan Baltazar and Juana Dela Cruz.
parochial school in Bigaa for his elementary years. He moved to Tondo, Manila when he reached the age of 11. He worked as a houseboy for his Aunt in Manila who sponsored his further studies. He enrolled at the College of de San Jose where he gradutaed with degrees in Crown law, Spanish Latin, Physics, Christian doctrine, Humanities, and Philosophy.
During his early life, Baltazar studied in a
In the latter years of his life, Dr. Marrano Pilapil
Balagtasan? Ang balagtasan ay uri ng dalawang magkaibang panig ukol sa isang paksa. Hinango mula sa pangalan ni Francisco Balagtas, inilalahad ang sining na ito ang isang uri ng panitikan na kung saan ipinapahayag ang mga saloobin o pangangatwiran sa pamamagitan ng pananalitang may mga tugma sa huli. Unang nagsimula ang balagtasan sa Pilipinas noong Abril 6, 1924 na nilikha ng mga pangkat na manunulat para alalahanin ang kapanganakan ni Francisco Balagtas.
Ginawa nila ang unang balagtasan na may tatlong hanay ng mga makata na ipinapahayag ng isang naka-iskrip na pagtatanggol. Binatay nila ang anyo sa mas naunang mga uri ng pagtatalo na gumagamit din ng elemento ng tula katulad ng karagatan, huwego de prenda at duplo.
Mayroon din mga hurado na siyang maghuhusga kung sino ang mananalo. Inaasahan ang panitikang ito na patalinuhan ng pagpapahayag ng mga patulang argumento ngunit maaari din itong magbigay libangan sa pamamagitan ng katatawanan, anghang ng pang-aasar, pambihirang talas ng isip, at mala-teatrikong at dramatikong pagpapahayag.
Kadalasan itong binubuo ng tatlong magtatanghal na may dalawang magtatalo na magkasalungat ang pananaw at isang tagapamagitan na tinatawag na lakandiwa source: http://tl.wikipedia.org/ (lalaki) o lakambini (babae). wiki/Balagtasan
taught hin how to write while Jose Dela Cruz mentored his poetry. He challenged Balagtas to improve his writing and he continued to write more awts, corridos, and moro moros. Baltazar moved to Pandacan, Manila in 1895 and met Maria Asuncion Rivera who served as a muse for his writings such as “Florante at Laura”
The Prince of Tagalog Poetry
Interestingly, he had a rival for Maria and that is Mariano Capule.
Mariano Capule imprisoned Balagtas, and while in prison, Mariano married Maria. But while Balagtas is in prison, he was writing his novel “florante at laura” that describes the hardships he felt and his love for Maria. When he was released, hi published Florante at Laura. He met Juana Tiembeng, married her and had 11 kids. He died on February 20, 1862
Famous works of Francisco Baltazar Orosmán at Zafira – a komedya (a Filipino theater form evolved from the Spanish comedia) in four parts Don Nuño at Selinda – a komedya in three parts Auredato at Astrome – a komedya in three parts Clara Belmore – a komedya in three parts Abdol at Misereanan – a komedya, staged in Abucay in 1857 Bayaceto at Dorslica – a komedya in three parts, staged at Udyong on September 27, 1857 Alamansor at Rosalinda – a komedya staged at Udyong during the town’s feast La India elegante y el negrito amante – a short play in one part Nudo gordeano Rodolfo at Rosemonda Mahomet at Constanza Claus (translated into Tagalog from Latin) Florante at Laura, an awit; Balagtas’ masterpiece
“O pag-ibig na makapangyarihan, hahamakin ang lahat masunod ka lamang” -Florante at Laura
Fliptop: the modern ‘balagtasan’ A few years back, fliptop rap battles gained recognition in the Philippines quickly after several videos of such went viral on YouTube. Millions of Filipinos trouped to the popular video sharing website to watch two men test each other’s wit with rhythmic and clever lines delivered in an impressive tongue-twisting manner. The men also test each other’s tolerance for insults. Anygma, one of the more famous faces in the fliptop scene, attributed the success of fliptop rap battles to the typical experience of Filipino male telling each other all types of bull in the parking lot “from grade school to high school.” Somehow, remnants of afternoons spent hanging out with my classmates, in grade school and high school, outside our school flashed in my mind. The memories are hazy, but it made me smile thinking of the crap we told each other. Ejo vs W-Beat For this article, I watched the fliptop rap battle between Ejo and W-Beat, for the First Filipino Rap Battle League, uploaded on YouTube a few weeks ago. It’s everything a typical fliptop battle should be. Perhaps, the tamest line from the battle came from Ejo: “Sana marami kang ininom na tubig bago makipagbuno sa tulad ko. Sa sobrang init ng aking linya baka matuyo ang utak mo.” There’s a lot of reference to popular culture. Spongebob was not spared. Nothing seems sacred. Plants vs Zombies was mentioned by Ejo, saying W-Beat was spared by zombies hungry for brains, simply because he has none. Allegation that one of the participants was brainless had each man showcase his wit in a fliptop rap battle. Participants Ejo and W-Beat intertwined their prose with trite social commentaries and observation of the locals. Poverty and prison were mentioned, just in passing, but it showed awareness of socioeconomic issues that dogs the youth engaged in fliptop rap battle. These two issues, afflicting American youth in depressed communities, are popular subjects of rap, even among rappers that broke into mainstream media. One can say fliptop rap battles serve as a medium through which Filipino youths decry their condition. “Nang dahil sa maling paniniwala ng kabataan, tuluyan nilang nawasak ang ating kinabukasan. Nang dahil sa kahinaan tulad ng kayabangan,” rapped W-Beat, who is older than Ejo. By Karina Isabel M. Yap Philippine Daily Inquirer
Jose Corazon de Jesus edged as the King of Balagtasan.
Unknown to many, the immortal song “Bayan Ko” was penned by this magnificent bard. He was born in Sta. Cruz, Manila to Dr. Vicente de Jesus and Susana Pangilinan.
Jose Corazon De Jesus (1896-1932) also known as Huseng Batute is one of the greatest Philippine poets and is acknowl-
Ang bayan kong Pilipinas Lupain ng ginto’t bulaklak Pag-ibig na sa kanyang palad Nag-alay ng ganda’t dilag.
gree, but he did not take the bar examination because he was already preoccupied with writing. His literary inclination was manifested early in life. His first poem, Pangungulila, was written when he was 17 years old. In 1920, he worked for Taliba and began his famous column, Buhay Maynila.
Pepito, as he was called, studied at the Liceo de Manila where he got the Bachiller en Artes degree. He caught the imagination of the From the Academia de readers through his leyes, he obtained the appealing and incisive Bachiller en Leyes desatire.
Bayan Ko By Jose Corzaon de Jesus
At sa kanyang yumi at ganda Dayuhan ay nahalina Bayan ko, binihag ka Nasadlak sa dusa.
Ibon mang may layang lumipad kulungin mo at umiiyak Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag Ang di magnasang makaalpas!
Pilipinas kong minumutya Pugad ng luha ko’t dalita Aking adhika, Makita kang sakdal laya.
Ang Tren By Jose Corzaon de Jesus
Tila ahas na nagmula sa himpilang kanyang lungga, ang galamay at palikpik, pawang bakal, tanso, tingga, ang kaliskis, lapitan mo’t mga bukas na bintana.
Ang rail na lalakara’y nakabalatay sa daan, umaaso ang bunganga at maingay na maingay, sa Tutuban magmumula’t patutungo sa Dagupan.
Most of his popularity rested on lyrical jousts he had with Florentino Collantes. This literary genre was practically unknown until popularized by Jose. The first of these encounters was Paru-paro’t Bubuyog held at the Instituto de Mujeres. He excelled in the beauty of language, in charm and luxuriance of expression, and in dramatic delivery. Later on, he was proclaimed King of Balagtasan. Like a whirling silent storm, or a silent spring that wells up, he made immense contributions to Tagalog literature.
O, kung gabi’t masalubong ang mata ay nag-aapoy, ang silbato sa malayo’y dinig mo pang sumisipol at hila-hila ang kanyang kabit-kabit namang bagon.
Walang pagod ang makina, may baras na nasa r’weda, sumisingaw, sumisibad, humuhuni ang pitada, tumetelenteng ang kanyang kainpanada sa tuwina.
His Buhay Maynila column alone published about 4,000 poems; Ang Lagot na Bagting, written in more serious trend, numbered about 800 poems. He also wrote some 300 short poems and prose. In the 15 literary contests he joined, he won either first prize or second prize. In lyrical jousts, he received three silver trophies and four gold medals.
“Kailan ka magbabalik?” “Hanggang sa hapon ng Martes.” At tinangay na ng tren ang naglakbay na pag-ibig, sa bentanilya’y may panyo’t may naiwang nananangis.
featured in poetry reading sessions in colleges and literary circles. They were also pieces for declamatiom contests. Pepito died of ulcer on May 26, 1932. He was only 36. His heart was preserved by the government until it was buried with his mother. His body was buried under a tree in fulfillment of his wish expressed in two of his last poems— Isang Punong Kahoy and Ang Akasya.
His poems like Ang Puso Ko, Ang Pamana, Ang Panday, Ang Manok Kong Bulik, Ang Source: http://pantasproPagbabalik, and Sa jectphils.net84.net/lit-elib/ Halamanan ng Dios were husebatute.html
Amado V. Hernandez 13 years of imprisonment - a 13-year case that generated so much drama and social interest as Hernandez was seen by many as a champion of the masses. Hernandez was born in Hagonoy, Bulacan but he grew up in Tondo, Manila - a perfect avenue where one can Amado V. Hernandez is a easily open his eyes to renowned Filipino writer, the social injustices and labor leader and difficulties that are political activist. prevalent in the country.
Corazon de Jesus - some of the best writers Philippine literature has to offer. During his early writing career, Hernandez wrote extensively for the Tagalog newspaper “Watawat” (Flag.) In the 1940’s at the time of Japanese occupation, Hernandez joined the guerrilla forces in Sierra Madre. Hernandez was an intelligence operative of the guerrilla forces in Northern Luzon. Thus, his association with the guerrilla forces was brought up against him in his 13-year trial.
It was believed that Hernandez is famous for Hernandez started writing collaborating with the his works that usually during his teenage years HUKBALAHAP forces of depict socio-political while studying at Manila Luis Taruc made issues and which affect High School and at the Hernandez sympathetic the country in one way American with communist ideals. or another - perhaps one Correspondence School of the grounds that bred during the American After the war, Hernandez suspicion of him being colonization. was appointed as one of a member of the leftist the councilors of the city communist group. In 1922, Hernandez joined of Manila and was also literary circles such as the elected as the President Due to Hernandez’s “Aklatang Bayan.” of the Philippine alleged association with Newspaper Guild. rebel forces in Northern He also built connections Luzon, he was arrested to other writers including Hernandez also started but was acquitted after Lope K. Santos and Jose his active participation in
Inang Wika Ako’y ikakasal, sa aming tahana’y masayang-masaya: may piging, tugtugan, awitan, sayawan.
labor rallies and advocated Marxism ideas. In an instant, Hernandez became an influential labor leader.
Ang aking magiging kabiyak ng buhay ay isang binatang puti, binatang sibol sa kanluran: maganda’t makisig, marunong, mayaman tila pulot-gata sa bibig ng isang mundong kaibigan.
In 1951, Hernandez was arrested on charges of rebellion, murder, arson and robbery.
by Amado V. hernandez
Sa tanging sasakyan, nang kami’y lumulan, may natanaw ako sa tapat ng bahay na isang matandang babaing luhaan, waring tinatawag ang aking pangalan tila humihingi ng kaunting pagdamay; subalit sa gitna ng kaligayahan, siya ay hindi ko binati man lamang, siya ay hindi ko pinansin man lamang, habang ang sasakyan ay nagtutumulin hanggang sa simbahan. Maligaya kaming nagsiluhod kapwa sa harap ng Birhen, sa gintong dambana; pagkasaya-saya’t ang mga kampana ay di-magkamayaw sa pagbabalita n gaming kasalan na pangmaharlika; ngunit ang larawan ng kaawa-awang matanda’y hindi ko matanggal sa diwa, mandi’y malikmata; ang nag-uunahang luha ng kandila ay tila kanya ring tumutulong luha; gayon man sa piling ng kahanga-hangang kaisang-puso ko’y niwalang-bahala, sa gitna ng tuwa’y nilimot kong pilit ang gayong hiwaga gaya ng liwanag ng buwang palaba na di masisira sa bahid ng ulap sa gabing payapa.
The arrest sparked national interest and sympathizers of Hernandez grew tenfold. While in prison, Hernandez wrote some of his best works including A Stretch of Heaven and his masterpiece Crocodile’s Tears. On May 30, 1964, the Supreme Court of the Philippines acquitted Hernandez.
Natapos ang kasal, batian, kamayan, ngiting matatamis, birong maaanghang at saboy ng bigas sa ami’y salubong pagbaba sa altar… ngunit sino yaong aking natatanaw, matandang babaing nalugmok na bigla’t nawalan ng malay at lingid sa taong hindi magkamayaw. Ah! Siya rin yaong kangina’y hindi ko pinansin man lamang.
Upon his release, Hernandez continued his writing endeavors. He went back to teaching at the University of the Philippines.
Nang saklolohan ko’t patakbong lapitan, nang kandungin ko na sa aking kandungan, ngumiting magiliw sa hapis ng kanyang pag-aagaw-buhay at saka nagwikang tigib-kapaitan: “Anak ko, bunso ko…salamat…paalam… Ako ang ina mong sawing kapalaran!”
In 1970, Hernandez died while at the middle of a class lecture.
At ang kulang-palad ay napalungayngay. Sa bisig ko na rin namatay… namatay! Noon ko natanong ang ina kong mahal, ang Inang wika kong sa aki’y nagbigay ng lahat ng dangal, ang wikang tagalong na naiwang limot nang ako’y matanghal, at itinakwil ko sa pagtatagumpay, ay isang babaing nabuhay sa dusa’t sa lungkot namatay, nang ako’y pakasal sa Wikang Dayuhan.
Then, came numerous posthumous awards and citations including a Doctor of Humanities from UP and a National Artist Award for Literature in 1973.
Joel Malabanan
- Teacher/Professor of Filipino at the Philippine Normal University. - Wednesday, 6am, July 22 1970. Joel Malabanan was born on July 22, 1970 a wednesday at 6am in Los Banos, Laguna. He was the son of Eladio Ocampo Malabanan and Josefina Panganiban Costa. -He grew up with his grandfather, Saturnino Costa, who likes to make poetry. Which is where he got his interest in Poetry.
-On 2012, Richard Gappi was granted the “Dangal ng Bayan Award” by the Pamahalaang Bayan ng Angono for his Sining, Pagtula at Pagsusulat. -He finished AB philippine studies, major in political science and history in UP Diliman. He also finished his Masters in creative writing, major in poetry in UP Diliman as well. -He used to be the editor of the Philippine Collegian in UP and the editor in chief of the Manila East Watch, which is a newspaper in Rizal. -He was a fellow for poetry in UP National Writers Workshop twice, 1996 and 2013. -He was an UBOD New Author Series awardee of the NCCA
-He is the Vice-President of the Angono Council for tradition, Culture and the Arts -He is also the founder of the Angono Tres-Siete Poetry Society. -He is currently the Community Affairs Assitant Officer and Head of the employees in the town hall of Angono and the Editor of the Angono Rizal News Online. -Gappi is a poet, an artist, nerizen journalist, cultural worker, a teacher of creative writing and mass communication -He was the project director of the National Commision for Culture and the Arts’ National Arts Month thqt was held on feb17-21 in angono rizal.
-He was the project head of the ASEAN Art Conference and Fea-He was a writer of the UP Diksyo- sibility Workshop on Angono as naryo ng Wikang Filipino a Creative City that was held on November 17-24 2009. -He is the founding president of the Neo-Angono Artists Collective
-He became friends with Gaspar Aragon which influenced him in music. -He became the literary editor of the DSAC Gazette on the year 1989 and unang napublish his poem called “Pattay na Langgam”. Following this was the publication of this other poem “Saan ka kabilang”. -He made a stage play called Biyaheng Langit on 1991 and it was “palabas” ng 2003 while he was teaching at Sain Vincent de Paul College. this play is about a bus driver who was on route in Indang-Baclaran and he believes that “ang langit ay makakamtan niya kapag nagampanan niya nang lubos ang papel niya bilang ama”
Richard Gappi
Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika ay higit sa hayop at malansang isda; Kaya ating pagyamaning kusa, gaya nang inang sa atin ay nagpala� -Dr. Jose Rizal
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