Page 422 - Tagalog for Beginners: An Introduction to Filipino, the National Language of the Philippines

Debate using poetry is a tradition in the Philippines. Especially popular during the
American colonial period (1899–1945) was the balagtasan, or verbal joust. The
balagtasan draws inspiration from the duplo, a traditional game played during
funeral wakes. In the duplo, the “hari” (king) pretends to be looking for a lost bird,
and blames a player (either a belyako or a belyaka), who in turn defends himself or
in some cases, defends the woman (belyaka) accused.
At the height of its popularity, however, the balagtasan could be likened to an
entertainment (similar to that of a stage play), and its participating poets were as
popular as movie stars. The balagtasan was said to have been conceptualized on
March 28, 1924 by a group called Kapulungang Balagtas to honor Francisco
Balagtas (also known as Francisco Baltazar) in whose honor the verbal joust was
named.
For several decades, the balagtasan continued to be popular, with topics
mirroring the concerns of the time, such as independence, capitalism, tradition, and
coalitions; or symbols which may be read as allegories (gold and metal; pen and
sword; star and sun). It also inspired similar jousts in other languages in other parts

of the country such as the bukanegan in Ilocos (honoring poet Pedro Bukaneg).
Although the popularity of the balagtasan has waned because of film,
television, and other forms of entertainment, recently balagtasan has been used to
articulate contemporary issues.
For further reading on the balagtasan, the best resource is Leo Zafra’s book
Kasaysayan at Antolohiya ng Balagtasan (History and Anthology of the Balagtasan)
published by the Ateneo de Manila University Press in 1999. The above data on the
history of the balagtasan comes from Zafra’s book.

Pagbabasa

Read the following opinion column. Then, answer the questions that follow. Study
the following words before reading the essay. You have learned some of the words
in earlier lessons; they are listed here for you to review. You can also refer to the
glossary at the back of the book.
Kaliligo Just finished bathing

Nanlalata Feeling weak
Sinisisi Blaming

Anti-bata Against children
Isinasaad Implied
Katawagan Name

Pamaktol-maktol Exaggerated way of showing that one
feels bad