CITY OF MALOLOS – At the vibrant and historic opening of the Balagtasan Festival 2026, the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) joined the municipality of Balagtas in celebrating the life, literature, and legacy of Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar at the Balagtas Municipal Hall on March 22.
Governor Daniel R. Fernando, represented by Crispin De Luna, expressed his hope that the opening of the Balagtasan Festival will serve as an invitation, especially to the youth, to embrace the Filipino language, uphold the art of poetry with dignity, and carry forward the flame ignited by Balagtas.
“Mga kababayan, pamana sa atin ni Gat Francisco Balagtas na tungkulin nating buhayin ang kanyang diwa sa bawat salitang ating binibigkas, sa bawat ideyang ating ipinagtatanggol, at sa bawat pagkakaisang ating binubuo,” Fernando said.
Meanwhile, Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office (PHACTO) OIC Department Head Limuel Jan J. Lobederio emphasized that with each passing cycle of time, there are celebrations that cannot be measured merely by the number of days or scheduled activities during the festival, but rather by the depth of their meaning and the strength of the bonds they cultivate in the hearts of every citizen.
“Higit nating nasilayan ang isang mas pinalawak, mas pinagyaman, at mas makabuluhang selebrasyon. Isang patunay na ang Lokal na Pamahalaan ng Balagtas ay hindi lamang tagapagtaguyod ng tradisyon, kundi aktibong tagapaglikha ng mga makabagong pamamaraan upang ito ay higit pang mapalalim at maipamana,” Lobederio said.
The celebration was officially launched with a lively and meaningful opening program that featured the parade of floats, the colorful “Indakan sa Kalye”, and a tribute to “Dilag ni Balagtas,” who embodied the beauty, intellect, and dignity portrayed in his works. The opening of the festival also included a Tourism and Trade Fair, organized collaboratively by the barangays, showcasing the community’s active participation in strengthening local culture and livelihood.
Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar was a great poet who continues to inspire the identities of Bulakenyos and Filipinos up to this day and is celebrated to honor his enduring contributions to Filipino literature, to preserve his legacy, and rekindle appreciation for the richness of the Filipino language and poetic tradition.
