Biography of Leona Florentino free essay sample

Leona Florentino was a Filipino poet in the Spanish and Ilocano languages. She is considered as the mother of Philippine womens literature and the bridge from oral to literary tradition. Born to a wealthy and prominent family in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Florentino began to write her first verses in Ilocano at a young age. Despite her potential, she was not allowed to receive a university education because of her gender. Florentino was instead tutored by her mother, and then a series of private teachers. An educated Ilocano priest taught her advanced Spanish and encouraged her to develop her voice in poetry. Due to the feminist nature of her writings, Florentino was shunned by her husband and son, and so was forced to live alone in exile and separately from her family. Florentino married a politician named Elias de los Reyes at the age of 14, and they had five children, including Isabelo de los Reyes, who would later become a Filipino writer, activist and senator. We will write a custom essay sample on Biography of Leona Florentino or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She died at the age of 35. Leona Florentinos Works: Works Her lyrical poetry in Spanish, especially in Ilocano, gained attention with their exhibition in various international forums in Spain, Paris and St. Louis, Missouri. Her literary contributions particularly 22 preserved poems were recognized when she was included in the Encyclopedia Internationale des Oeuvres des Femmes (International Encyclopedia of Women’s Works) in 1889. She is believed to be the first Filipino to receive this international recognition, a homage that occurred only after her untimely death. Naunsyaming pag-asa Pupos ng ligayat katiwasayan Silang may minamahal, Dahil mayroon silang karamay Sa lahat ng hinaing sa buhay. Ang aba kong kapalaran Tila walang kapantay Ang sinasabi koy isang katiyakan Dahil ako ngayoy nagdurusa. Akoy nagmamahal Sa isang sintas hiyas Ngunit hindi ko matiyak Kung akoy karapatdapat. Isinusunpa ko ang oras Ng aking kapanganakan, Libong ulit sanang higit na mainam Kung namatay ako nang akoy isinilang. Susubukan ko sanang magtapat Ngunit akoy nauumid, Dahil maliwanag namang Mabibigo lamang ako. Ngunit sapat na ang ligayang madarama Kung malaman mo ang aking pagsinta: Nangangako ako at sumusumpa Ikaw lamang ang mamahalin hanggang kamatayan. Leona Florentino