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
(Third of a series)

The main character of Francisco Balagtas' masterpiece is an exemplary man who believes in pure love and unassuming kindness. He is Florante, who, at the beginning of the story, can be seen tied to a Higera tree in the middle of the Albanian forest, full of grief and weeping. But, despite suffering, there is no denying the gallantry and good looks:

He is the son of Duke Briceo, private counsel to King Linceo of Albania, and Princess Floresca of Crotona. His father affectionately calls him "Floranteng bulaklak kong bugtong" (Florante, beloved flower of my love), which, according to him, is an endearment fit for someone who is “lumuha-luha at kayakap-yakap ng madlang dalita” (in tears and cuddled by affliction). He grows up happily in the company of his father's soldiers, with whom he hunts in the jungle. In time, this activity would become his prime task, not as a game but as a mission. The King would order him to hunt “animals” in the city jungle.

​As a baby, a vulture almost snatches him if not for his cousin Menalipo, who shoots it with an arrow. As a toddler, a falcon grabs the diamond cupid on his chest. These incidents foreshadow severe occurrences that would take place eventually. Adolfo, his nemesis, would attempt to kill him when they become students in Atenas. Fortunately, his friend Menandro saves him. To eliminate him as an obstacle to a complete takeover of Albania, Adolfo would have him captured and tied to a tree in the forest to be eaten by lions. Fortunately, the Moro Prince Aladin saves him. What causes Florante the worst pain is when Adolfo grabs his beloved Laura from him.

​Florante grows up respectful of his parents, idolizing his father, who sends him to Atenas so that “ang bulag na isip niya ay mamulat” (his blind mind would be awakened). Thus, though tough it was for him to leave behind the pleasures of a carefree life, he heeds his father’s wishes, who, with much tenderness, instructs him:

Although compatriots, Florante and Adolfo do not get along well when they meet in Atenas. Florante is wary of the kindness displayed by Adolfo, the top student before he arrives. For him, it is a pretense or a tactic to become famous and adored by the entire school, saying thus:

Such a disguise is revealed when Adolfo attempts to assassinate Florante in a play they stage. Adolfo's envy and anger towards Florante grows into monstrous proportions when the latter is recognized as the defender of Albania. So Adolfo does everything to get rid of Florante, who, on the one hand, is destined to be the savior and king. This destiny of Florante is the defining reason why, in all the times he encounters danger, someone always saves him. He, not Adolfo, is destined to be King of Albania and Laura's sweetheart. Throughout the story, Albania and Laura can be seen as one and the same that Florante and Adolfo are fighting over. 

Florante believes in the "divine providence." It can be seen at the beginning of the story that he resents and blames Heaven for allowing bad things to happen in Albania:​

And in a fit of rage, he even orders Heaven to destroy Albania:

After pouring out his sorrows and feeling like a voice in the wilderness, Florante experiences a profound realization. He comes to understand that human intelligence and strength have their limits. Despite his best efforts, the outcome is in the hands of Heaven. This realization brings a sense of humility and acceptance to Florante's character. Thus, he declares:

This is divine resignation, a profound recognition of the Divine Design of things. Something good will happen; one only needs to believe and wait. That's why Aladin arrives like Mars from Heaven when the two lions are about to devour Florante. On the other hand, Menandro and the whole army come to reclaim Albania from the hands of the traitors. And Florante is crowned King of Albania with Laura as his Queen. The entire kingdom rejoices gloriously for both served well as the new Heaven-appointed leaders.