FAMOUS FILIPINO
PLAYWRIGHTS
Francisco Balagtas y de la Cruz
Francisco Balagtas y de la Cruz
Born on April 2, 1788 in Panginay, Bigaa,
Bulacan and died on February 20, 1862 of
pneumonia.
He was also known as Francisco Baltazar.
His best known work is the Florante at Laura.
Francisco Balagtas y de la Cruz
The youngest of the four children of Juan Balagtas, a
blacksmith, and Juana de la Cruz.
He studied in a parochial school in Bigaa and later in
Manila.
During his childhood years. Francisco worked as
houseboy in Tondo, Manila
Francisco Balagtas y de la Cruz
Balagtas learned to write poetry from José de la
Cruz (Huseng Sisiw), one of the most famous poets of
Tondo. It was de la Cruz himself who personally
challenged Balagtas to improve his writing.
Francisco Balagtas y de la Cruz
In 1835, Balagtas moved to Pandacan, where he met
María Asunción Rivera, who served as the muse for
his future works. She is referenced in Florante at
Laura as 'Celia' and 'Mer'
Francisco Balagtas y de la Cruz
He died on February 20, 1862 at the age of 73.
On his deathbed, he asked a favor that none of his
children become a poet like him, who had suffered
under his gift.
He even told them it would be better to cut their
hands off than let them be writers.
Severino R. Reyes (A playwright)
Severino R. Reyes (A playwright)
"Father of the Tagalog Zarzuela"
The son of Rufino Reyes and Andrea Rivera, Reyes was
born in Sta. Cruz, Manila on February 11, 1861.
He studied at San Juan de Letran College and later at
the University of Sto. Tomas, where he studied
philosophy.
Severino R. Reyes (A playwright)
A Filipino writer, dramatist, and playwright, he was
highly acclaimed as one of the giants of Tagalog
literature
In 1902, Reyes founded and directed the Grand
Compania de Zarzuela Tagala.
Severino R. Reyes (A playwright)
On June 14, 1902, the company staged his play Walang
Sugat (No Wounds), a drama set against the historical
events in Bulacan during the Philippine revolution.
Severino R. Reyes (A playwright)
In 1923, Reyes co-founded the Liwayway, a Tagalog
literary weekly which published a series of fairy tales
titled ― Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang‖, written by
Reyes.
The storyteller, Lola Basyang was based by the author
on a neighbor named Gervacia de Guzman.
Walang sugat
Dr. Ricardo G. Abad (A Director)
Dr. Ricardo G. Abad (A Director)
Born in Manila on August 10, 1946 of parents
from Cavite and Camiguin.
Graduated at the Ateneo de Manila, after which
he obtained a Fulbright grant to finish a
doctorate in sociology at Fordham University in
New York.
Dr. Ricardo G. Abad (A Director)
Full-time Faculty, Department of Sociology and
Anthropology; Artistic Director, Tanghalang Ateneo
Metrobank Network of Outstanding Teachers Pathways/ANI,
Ateneo de Manila University Role Players, Theater for Life
Social Weather Stations
Has been involved as actor and director in over 120
productions while at the same time doing sociological work
as teacher, researcher, and editor.
Dr. Ricardo G. Abad (A Director)
He has also directed and acted for professional companies
like Teatro Pilipino and Tanghalang Pilipino of the Cultural
Center of the Philippines, and the Metropolitan Theater.
Theater Guild. Many of his theater productions were classics
of western drama but in terms of a Filipino and Asian
sensibility, like Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
Salvador F. Bernal (Father of Theater
Design in the Philippines)
Born in 1945 to a family that ran a Terno shop
He was the first to develop theater design as a
profession and elevate it to an art form.
Salvador F. Bernal (Father of Theater
Design in the Philippines)
Studied at Ateneo de Manila and at
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois,
USA; practiced and handled courses in the art
craft of theater design.
Salvador F. Bernal (Father of Theater
Design in the Philippines)
Taught briefly at Ateneo de Manila and
University of the Philippines
He had designed more than 250 productions in
ballet, theater and film.
National Artist awardee
