Balagtasan

Derived from the name of Francisco Balagtas also known as the Prince of Balagtasan, this art presents a type of literature in which thoughts or reasoning are expressed through speech.

The first balagtasan took place in the Philippines on April 6, 1924, created by groups of writers to commemorate the birth of Francisco Balagtas.

They based the form on earlier types of debates that also used poetic elements such as karagatan, huwego de prenda and, duplo.

Balagtasan is participated by two or more protagonists who engages in a debate on a selected subject.

A judge, known as the lakandiwa if male or lakambini if female, will decide the winner of the balagtasan.

Francisco Balagtas , the inspiration for the creation of balagtasan .
Florentino Collantes (left) and Jose Corazon de Jesus (right) are the first performers of balagtasan in manila