BALANGA CITY, Bataan — People of Bataan will enjoy an extended holiday as April 2 has been declared a special non-working holiday in the province in commemoration of the 220th birthday of Filipino poet Francisco Balagtas Baltazar.
The Philippine Information Agency announced Wednesday that Malacañang issued Proclamation 458 on the holiday for Bataan. It was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.
Born in Bigaa, Bulacan on April 2, 1788, Baltazar transferred to Orion, Bataan in 1840 where he worked as a clerk of court. He married in 1842 local lass Juana Tiambeng, with whom he had four children.
He stayed in Orion until his death on Feb. 20, 1862 at the age of 73.
He is best known for his poem “Florante at Laura”.
To mark the occasion, several activities are scheduled on Monday at the Hardin ni Balagtas in Barangay Wakas, Orion where a bronze statue of the great Filipino poet and orator stands facing the sea while writing. (PNA)
