Ballet Manila unveils its adaptation of the literary classic Florante at Laura on October 12, 13 and 19 at Aliw Theater, with the choreography of Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Martin Lawrance, the music of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab and the artistic direction of Lisa Macuja Elizalde.

To usher in this world premiere, balletmanilaarchives.com is running a series of articles about the Francisco Balagtas masterpiece to give context to the story and its characters and to underscore its continuing relevance today, almost two centuries after it was first published. The series is written by Michael M. Coroza, PhD, who served as libretto consultant to the production. He is a full professor and former chair of the Department of Filipino, School of Humanities, Ateneo De Manila University, and is also chairman of the Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (UMPIL).

By Michael M. Coroza
(Fifth of a series)

Balagtas' Florante at Laura features two fathers and sons, each with unique and complex dynamics: the noble Duke Briceo and his son Florante of Albania and the ignoble Sultan Ali-Adab and his son Aladin of Persia. These relationships serve as a lens through which Balagtas explores the themes of power, privilege, and virtue. Despite their equal status of power and privilege, Balagtas' portrayal of their characters underscores virtue as the most significant measure of greatness, highlighting the stark contrast between benevolence and malevolence.

For Florante, Duke Briceo is an exemplary father. In his lamentation in the forest, Florante mourns his father's death at the hands of the traitor Adolfo. This lamentation emphasizes the nobility of Duke Briceo's character and the profound depth of Florante's grief, invoking a sense of empathy from the reader.

Florante will always cherish the affection of his Father, who lovingly calls him 'Floranteng bulaklak kong bugtong' (Florante, beloved flower of my love). For him, no father on earth can match his father's kindness and warmth.

 As King Linceo's private counsel, Duke Briceo embodies all that is good and proper, serving as a role model for all. His guidance, particularly his persuasive advice for Florante to study in Atenas, leaves an indelible mark on the latter's enlightenment and development as a person of dignity and uprightness. His words to Florante are not just a father's lesson to a son but a timeless source of reassurance in the challenging task of parenting, resonating with readers across generations and underlining the profound influence of a good father figure.

On the other hand, Aladin is envious of Florante, who is mourning his father's death. Unlike Duke Briceo with Florante, Sultan Ali-Adab has been cruel to him since childhood. He has never felt loved, even by his mother, who died early. That's why when he hears Florante's laments about Duke Briceo's misfortune, he asks himself: "Kailan luha ko'y bubukal ng habag kay Ama at panghihinayang?" (When would my tears spring in love and pity for my father?) In tears, he cries, his condition contrasting with Florante's, emphasizing the difference between the two fathers' love and cruelty.

However, despite all the grudges, Aladin's loyalty to Sultan Ali-Adab, unwavering and unyielding, prevails. He is falsely sentenced to death for deserting his army. He knows this is a ploy for his father to snatch his beloved, Flerida. He can end it all swiftly, but running away, as he is ordered to do so, is the best course of action out of respect for the Sultan. As heavy as his feelings, this leads him to question even the nobility of love, a burden that weighs heavily on his soul, highlighting the depth and complexity of his emotions.

 The contrast between the two fathers is clear. Duke Briceo is a paragon who is caring but upholds the importance of discipline. Sultan Ali-Adab is selfish and indifferent. Unsurprisingly, Florante grows up to be a gentleman and righteous because of his father's traits.

What is perplexing is how Aladin does not inherit his father's repugnant attitude. If he happens to be like his father, he will never allow Sultan Ali-Adab to snatch Flerida from him. He will surely exact revenge. But, as evidenced by his rescue of Florante from the lions, he is benevolent. He recognizes the "natural na lei" (natural law). This moral principle leads everyone to do good, even in the face of adversity. Despite his father's treatment of him, Aladin remains a good son.