read in 8th grade. not gonna rate. all i can say is that it was kinda hard to read, considering my attention span was weaker back then and i didn't care about the poetic verses, the metaphors, and the story itself. but i think objectively, it speaks about a lot of issues during Balagtas's time.

We were required to read this in school and over-analyzing every line for academic purposes of course but what surprised me is I actually enjoyed the story immensely. Sure I had to translate some of the deep Filipino jargon but nonetheless I found myself just forgetting this was required reading and not pleasure reading.

But I still have a love-hate relationship with this so-called Filipino classic. I mean, yeah sure it was good but it's not like WOAH BLOWS YOUR MIND SO FRICKEN GOOD.

There were themes that struck me and made me think.

I enjoyed the Feminist tones of this book, basically Flerida was the most interesting character for me.

And I consider myself a hopeless romantic, the sappiness of this "epic" or "awit" really touched me and GAAAAAAH it's quite a romance they have there. Sure, it's not one of the most original stories out there, but what is? Heck it's cliche'd to the max but for a story required to study in school, it's not that bad compared to Ibong Adarna.

I enjoyed this story so much I started making up theories or "fanfiction". Listen to this, was Konde Adolfo's father mentioned in the book? No, right. All we know is his name is Konde Sileno. What about Laura's mother? Adolfo's mother?

This was my first initial suspicion: We only really get this story in Florante, Laura, Flerida, and Aladin's perspective right? What about the villain? Adolfo. What are his true intentions. If Francisco Balagatas were alive would he give me Florante at Laura in Adolfo's perspective? Probably not.

Here's my theory, Prinsesa Floresca is Adolfo's mother and he has this blind hatred for Florante because of him "stealing her away from him" and the rage intensifies when Prinsesa Floresca dies. He blames Albanya, Florante, and Duke Briseo for the death of his biological "mother" and wants them to suffer for it.

[ stupid I know but this theory is up for discussion ]

Florante just thinks it's because Adolfo has always been jealous of him when they were classmates in Athens (like wow Florante get over yourself you arrogant douche, kidding) but in reality it's because of him being Adolfo's step-brother.


But that's just a theory, and a thought to dwell on.

One downfall in this book was the ending, it did a good job of showing that Religion was not a hindrance in camaraderie but in the end, both Flerida and Aladin convert and I feel like it defeats the purpose of the whole anti-discrimination theme and racial theme.

What I would have loved to see in the end was Persya and Albanya living together in peace. But sadly, it never happened. Resolutions aren't always what I want but they do solve the problem and tie some loose knots so it's all okay.

Having to study this epic for several quarters means I have to hate it and be bored with it already right? But I'm not and that says a lot about this story.

Thank you Selya for breaking Francisco Baltazar's heart.

school required reading. sooo.
I'm not gonna rate it (but if I am, I'll probably give it 3 stars)

this one's great too. I didn't understand a thing, either. without my teacher's help, I wouldn't have understood anything.

Used a textbook to read this, actually.

We read and studied this when we were in second year high school. And i can't really remember the story. HAHA Sorry.