He was born on April 2, 1788, in Panginay, Bigaa, Bulacan, now known as Balagtas, Bulacan.
His parents were Juan Balagtas and Juana de la Cruz.
He studied at Colegio de San Jose and the University of Santo Tomas, where he learned Latin, philosophy, and literature.
He later became a poet, writer, and eventually gobernadorcillo (town mayor) of Bataan.
1788 – Born in Bigaa, Bulacan
Early 1800s – Studied in Manila and began writing poetry
1835 – Fell in love with Maria Asuncion Rivera (MAR) who inspired Florante at Laura
1838 – Wrote Florante at Laura while imprisoned in Bataan
1842 – Married Juana Tiambeng
1840s–1850s – Continued writing poems and plays
February 20, 1862 – Died in Orion, Bataan
• The poetic debate “Balagtasan” was named in his honor.
• He wrote Florante at Laura in prison.
• He told his children not to become poets because poetry caused him many hardships.