[INFOGRAPHIC] Francisco Balagtas: The Filipino William Shakespeare

            Francisco Balagtas is highly regarded as one of the Philippines' literary classics, a proud Bulakenyo poet known for his notable epic work — Florante at Laura. As a young child, Balagtas showed interest in poetry writing and displayed great potential. When his family moved to Manila, he became a helper to his aunt's house in Tondo, and in return, his aunt supported his education for they saw great potential in him. With the help of Dr. Mariano Pilapil, who helped him develop his writing style, and José de la Cruz, a prominent Tondo poet, who challenged him to always produce quality work, Francisco Balagtas became a highly skilled poet and debater. However, Balagtas renounce his gift for writing on his deathbed, making his children promise that they will not follow his footsteps, as it caused him much suffering in his life and his family's. In spite of that, his numerous works of literature and poetry had a huge impact on Filipino culture, and he is still known as a prominent literary figure in the country. - Nicole Anne E. Mendoza

Source: https://www.bulakenyo.ph/francisco-balagtas-the-ultimate-filipino-poet/