Born on April 2, 1788 in Panginay, Bigaa (Balagtas) Bulacan to parents Juan Balagtas and Juana Cruz, Francisco Balagtas was a writer and poet worthy of national pride. He studied at San Juan de Letran and Kolehiyo de San Jose, during which Juan Sisiw became his professor in poetry.

His famous masterpiece, Florante at Laura was known to be his tribute for his love to Maria Asuncion Rivera, whose another lover (a rival of Balagtas) caused his imprisonment. After which he stayed at Udyong, Bataan where he met Juana Tiambeng who eventually became his wife. He died on February 20, 1862.