FERNANDO BAGONBANTA

A Ladino Poet
Fernando Bagonbanta was one of the early native versifiers of the 17th century. He was
born in Abucay, Bataan and his parentage is unknown. In his time he was known as a ladino, the
name given to natives who had mastered the Spanish language. The ladinos were trained or
educated in parish or catechetical schools and were used as interpreters and informants. Ladino
was also used to designate those literary works which were actually Spanish romances and poems.
Bagonbantas popularity as a writer of metrical romances in Tagalog and Spanish can be
traced to as far back as 1606. His works were characterized by restraint and by the religious tone
that dominated his compositions. The religious could not be avoided, as the friars were dominant
during that period. Their influence was strongly felt in every segment of organized society.
One of Bagonbantas works was Salamat nang Walang Hanggan or Gracias Se Den
Sempiternas.
The Tagalog original is as follows:
Salamat na walang hangga
gracias se den sempiiternas
na nagpasilang nang tala
al que hizo salir la estrella
macagpanao ng dilim
que destieros la tineblas
sa lahat ng bayan natin
de todo nuestro tierra.
In English, it is translated thus:
Eternal thanks are offered
to the one who made the stars
who drive away the darkness
from all our land.
In another poem, Bagonbanta wrote a dedication to Fr. P. Blanca San Jose.
Icao ang iquinahahalad
tu hacen clara y manifesta
nang bait na walang capara
de singular destreza
Nang Padre may catha nito
de su Padre autor de su empresa
At ang kasipagan niya
y su gran deligencia
Sa paghahanap nang limbagan
en el buscar de la imprenta
Translated in English, it reads:
You are exposed clear and manifest
of comparable wisdom
of the Father, Author of your
enterprise and your diligence

in looking for print.

Fernando Bagonbanta gave invaluable assistance to P. Blanco de San Jose in the editing
of the Artes y Regla en la Lengua Tagal and in the writing of the Memorial de la Vida Cristiana
Catolica in 1606. Eventually he became a trusted and close friend of the friars.
No available information about the later years of Fernando are available.
References:
Mojares, Resil. Encyclopedia of Philippine Art Volume 9. Nicanor G. Tiongson. Ed.
Cultural Center of the Philippines, 1994.
Quirino, Carlos. Whos who in Philippine History. Manila: Tahanan Books, 1995.

Manila: