LEONA FLORENTINO’S BACKGROUND
1. She was born in Vigan on April 19, 1849 and she died at the young age of 35
2. At the age of 10 Leona could write poetry in Ilocano and Spanish. Overall, she was able to write 22 poems.
3. Despite her potential, she was not allowed to receive a university education because of her gender.
4. Due to the feminist nature of her writings, Leona was shunned by her husband and son, so was forced to live alone in exile.
5. She is considered as “a pillar of feminism in the country” and the “mother of Philippine women’s literature.”
Naunsyaming pag-asa
Pupos ng ligaya’t katiwasayan
Silang may minamahal,
Dahil mayroon silang karamay
Sa lahat ng hinaing sa buhay.
Ang aba kong kapalaran
Tila walang kapantay
Ang sinasabi ko’y isang katiyakan
Dahil ako ngayo’y nagdurusa.
Ako’y nagmamahal
Sa isang sintas hiyas
Ngunit hindi ko matiyak
Kung ako’y karapatdapat.
Isinusunpa ko ang oras
Ng aking kapanganakan,
Libong ulit sanang higit na mainam
Kung namatay ako nang ako’y isinilang.
Susubukan ko sanang magtapat
Ngunit ako’y 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.
Reason why I chose this poem:
I chose this poem because I can really feel the conflict that’s happening with the persona. Love is one of the most powerful things in the world and a lot of people can relate to it. I’ve never fallen inlove before but I know that when you love someone you would do anything for them even if it hurts. It takes courage to confess how you feel especially if you already know the outcome: that person cannot reciprocate how you feel. A literary form is a way to tell a story or describe a feeling and through this poem my knowledge about love became clearer and when the time comes when I finally feel love, I would be ready because I know that it is a battlefield.
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