Leona Florentino
Filipina writer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Leona Josefa Florentino (19 April 1849 – 4 October 1884) was a Filipina poet who wrote in Spanish and Ilocano. She is considered as the "mother of Philippine women's literature", serving as the "bridge from oral to literary tradition";[1] and as a pioneer in Philippine lesbian literature.[2][3]
Leona Florentino | |
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Born | (1849-04-19)19 April 1849 Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
Died | 4 October 1884(1884-10-04) (aged 35) Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Captaincy General of the Philippines |
Occupation | Novelist, Political writer, and Journalist |
Language | Spanish Ilocano |
Nationality | Filipino (Ilocano) |
Citizenship | Philippines |
Spouse | Elias de los Reyes (1863–1883, his death; estranged) |
Children | 5, including Isabelo de los Reyes |
Born to a wealthy and prominent family in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Florentino was baptized under the Christian name Leona Josefa Florentina.[4] She 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 Catholic priest taught her advanced Spanish and encouraged her to develop her voice in poetry.[1]
Florentino married a politician named Elías de los Reyes at the age of 14. They had five children together. Their eldest son Isabelo de los Reyes later became a Filipino writer, activist and senator. Prominent politician and playwright Marcelino Crisólogo was her brother-in-law. Due to the protofeminist nature of her writings, Florentino was shunned by her husband and children; she lived alone in exile and separately from her family.[1] She died of tuberculosis at the age of 35. In the last moments of her life, she was able to briefly reconnect with her son Isabelo.[1]