Francisco Alonso Liongson Jr. (July 1, 1896 – May 14, 1965) was a Filipino writer and playwright. He was born into an ''
Ilustrado
The Ilustrados (, "erudite", "learned" or "enlightened ones") constituted the Filipino educated class during the Spanish colonial period in the late 19th century. Elsewhere in New Spain (of which the Philippines were part), the term ''gente de r ...
'' family from
Pampanga
Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga ( pam, Lalawigan ning Pampanga; tl, Lalawigan ng Pampanga ), is a province in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. Lying on the northern shore of Manila Bay, Pampanga is bordered by Tarlac ...
,
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
at the turn of the 20th century and raised with the revolutionary values of an emerging Philippine identity which held freedom, justice, honor, patriotism and piety sacred. He witnessed the rapid changes that transformed the Philippines from a repressed society cloistered in a Spanish convent for over 300 years into modern, hedonistic consumers of American Hollywood glamor for 50 years. This period of transition brought instabilities to core family values as the generation gaps wreaked havoc on the social, political, economic and political foundations of a young nation. It was a period of experimentation where the natives began to grapple a new democratic way of life and self-rule; where sacred paternalistic relationships were giving way to egalitarian modes; where traditional gender and familial roles were questioned, and where a new foreign language and the need for a national alternative were alienating the nation from understanding the aspirations of its elders. Liongson, in his unique, inimitable literary style captured snap shots of these struggles with anachronism in plays and articles written in the language that he mastered and loved best, Spanish. His works have since become precious gems of
Philippine literature in Spanish
Philippine literature in Spanish ( es, Literatura filipina en español; fil, Literaturang Pilipino sa Espanyol) is a body of literature made by Filipino writers in the Spanish language. Today, this corpus is the third largest in the whole corpu ...
and historic records of the Filipino psyche and social life between 1896 and 1950.
Early years
"Don Paco", as he was better known, was born in
Bacolor, Pampanga
Bacolor, officially the Municipality of Bacolor ( pam, Balen ning Bakúlud; tgl, Bayan ng Bacolor), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 48,066 people.
Bacolor ...
, Philippines, a month before the
Philippine Revolution was unleashed on August 23, 1896. His father, Dr.
Francisco Tongio Liongson
Francisco Tongio Liongson Sr. (December 3, 1869 – February 20, 1919) was a Filipino doctor and politician. He belonged to a generation of Philippine colonial subjects who struggled to evolve a national identity for their homeland in the fringe ...
, was a Spanish-trained medical doctor and a contemporary of
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is considered the national he ...
during his student days in Spain. A great influence on his son, Dr. Liongson was actively involved in the struggle for independence and became Pampanga's governor and first Senator to the Philippine Legislature. Don Paco's mother was Maria Dolores Alonso-Colmenares y Castro, a native of
Badajoz
Badajoz (; formerly written ''Badajos'' in English) is the capital of the Province of Badajoz in the autonomous community of Extremadura, Spain. It is situated close to the Portuguese border, on the left bank of the river Guadiana. The population ...
, Spain whom his father met and married in Madrid. His mother died soon after his birth. He was raised since by his spinster aunt, Isabel Tongio Liongson.
His early studies were in his hometown school of Don Modesto Joaquin. He next transferred to the
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, (transl: College of San Juan de Letran) also referred to by its acronym CSJL, is a private Catholic coeducational basic and higher education institution owned and run by the friars of the Order of Preachers i ...
in
Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1911 He pursued his university studies in law at the
University of Santo Tomas
The University of Santo Tomas (also known as UST and officially as the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila) is a private, Catholic research university in Manila, Philippines. Founded on April 28, 1611, by Spanish friar Miguel ...
where he graduated with the Licentiate in Civil Law in 1916. Having passed the bar examination given by the
Philippine Supreme Court
The Supreme Court ( fil, Kataas-taasang Hukuman; colloquially referred to as the ''Korte Suprema'' lso used in formal writing is the highest court in the Philippines. The Supreme Court was established by the Second Philippine Commission on Ju ...
and was included into the rolls on November 6, 1916, he traveled to neutral Spain to meet his late mother's family for the first time. His trip to the United States was delayed by the latter's entry into the First World War. His extended three-year sojourn in Spain provided the opportunity to absorb the language, culture and literary arts of the Iberian peninsula. The literary works of Spaniard
Miguel de Cervantes
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (; 29 September 1547 (assumed) – 22 April 1616 Old Style and New Style dates, NS) was an Early Modern Spanish writer widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world's pre-emin ...
, particularly the early 17th century novel ''
Don Quixote
is a Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes. Originally published in two parts, in 1605 and 1615, its full title is ''The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha'' or, in Spanish, (changing in Part 2 to ). A founding work of Wester ...
'', would soon prove to be a propitious influence in the young man's future.
He traveled to the United States before returning to the Philippines in 1919 not knowing of his father's untimely death. Upon his arrival in Manila, the shocking, unexpected news of his father's demise caused the first epileptic seizure that will continue to debilitate him for the rest of his life. Restrained from pursuing an active professional practice, he engaged in a more leisurely lifestyle administering a sugar fortune that he inherited at a young age. He married his first cousin, Doña Julita Eulalia Ocampo, who would become his indispensable partner in life and particularly in his contributions to
Philippine literature in Spanish
Philippine literature in Spanish ( es, Literatura filipina en español; fil, Literaturang Pilipino sa Espanyol) is a body of literature made by Filipino writers in the Spanish language. Today, this corpus is the third largest in the whole corpu ...
.
Circulo Escenico
Don Paco was one of the founders and first president of the ''Circulo Escenico'', a Spanish dramatic club of ''aficionados'' founded in Bacolor, Pampanga that rose to national prominence and became the longest surviving organization of its kind in the Philippines.
![Circulo Escenico](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Circulo_Escenico.jpg)
The club traces its origins to a fund-raising event to build a school organized by the town's parish priest, Fr. Pedro P. Santos. The activity involved a dramatic presentation of an all-male cast, one act literary-musical
zarzuela
() is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular songs, as well as dance. The etymology of the name is uncertain, but some propose it may derive from the name of ...
entitled, ''Morirse a Tiempo'', by members of the community. The event was such a great success that the enthusiasm and interest generated within the town and throughout the province demanded another presentation of a grander scale. ''Indiana'', the next presentation of the community involving characters of both genders, was packed to the rafters prompting the group of performers to form an association of ''aficionados'' of the theatrical arts soon after. The goals of the proposed club were 'to promote and maintain the conservation of the Spanish language and to develop talents and aptitude for the stage; allocating time for recreation and solace for the spirit as well as art and enthusiasm among a public tired of cinema's vulgarity.' The by-laws were approved with the first board of directors elected in August, 1922.
''Circulo Escenico'' was officially inaugurated on January 6, 1923 in ''Teatro Sabina''
Bacolor, Pampanga
Bacolor, officially the Municipality of Bacolor ( pam, Balen ning Bakúlud; tgl, Bayan ng Bacolor), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pampanga, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 48,066 people.
Bacolor ...
with a grand gala presentation of a comedy in two acts, ''Jarabe de Pico'' and a one act
zarzuela
() is a Spanish lyric-dramatic genre that alternates between spoken and sung scenes, the latter incorporating operatic and popular songs, as well as dance. The etymology of the name is uncertain, but some propose it may derive from the name of ...
, ''Doloretes'', launching its artistic and charitable endeavor, and its pro-Hispanic cultural mission. Basking in the subsequent successes and positive commentaries from the
Manila
Manila ( , ; fil, Maynila, ), officially the City of Manila ( fil, Lungsod ng Maynila, ), is the capital of the Philippines, and its second-most populous city. It is highly urbanized and, as of 2019, was the world's most densely populate ...
press, the club ventured to premiere
Nobel Prize in Literature
)
, image = Nobel Prize.png
, caption =
, awarded_for = Outstanding contributions in literature
, presenter = Swedish Academy
, holder = Annie Ernaux (2022)
, location = Stockholm, Sweden
, year = 1901
, ...
Winner
Jacinto Benavente
Jacinto Benavente y Martínez (12 August 1866 – 14 July 1954) was one of the foremost Spanish dramatists of the 20th century. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1922 "for the happy manner in which he has continued the illustrious ...
's comedy in two acts ''Los Intereses Creados'' and a one-act zarzuela, ''La Cancion de Olvido '', in the capital in June, 1929. The performances were received with much acclaim and admiration by the appreciative Manila public that the ''Circulo'' decided to make the capital its new home. Except for the period of the
Japanese occupation of the Philippines
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines (Filipino: ''Pananakop ng mga Japones sa Filipinas''; ja, 日本のフィリピン占領, Nihon no Firipin Senryō) occurred between 1942 and 1945, when Imperial Japan occupied the Commonwealth of the ...
, the club sustained annual performances for thirty-one years until 1955 when it quietly exited the stage. In 1977, Dr. Mariano M. Alimurung resurrected the ''Circulo'' featuring mainly Don Paco's original works until 1980 when he met an untimely death.
The ''Circulo'' was headed by able presidents through the years. They included Francisco A. Liongson (1923, 1950) Ignacio P. Santos (1924–28, 1933), Jose Panlilio (1929–31),
Antonio Abad
Antonio Abad y Mercado (May 10, 1894 – April 20, 1970), was a prominent Filipino poet, fictionist, playwright and essayist.
Personal life
Antonio Abad y Mercado was born in Barili, Cebu, under the Captaincy General of the Philippines, on 10 ...
(1932), Jose A. del Prado (1934), Primo Arambulo (1935), Francisco Zamora (1936, 1951), Ramon C. Ordoveza (1937, 1947), German Quiles (1938), Adolfo Feliciano (1939), Antonio G. Llamas (1940–44), Manuel Sabater (1945–46), Guillermo Dy Buncio (1948–49, 1952), Francisco Zamora (1951), Eduardo Viaplana (1953–55), and Mariano M. Alimurung (1977–80). In 1951, Don Paco was elected Honorary President for life.
Literary works
Don Paco was regarded as the most prolific producer of Spanish theatrical works in the Philippines. They included: ''El Unico Cliente'', ''Mi Mujer es Candidata'', ''¿Es Usted Anti o Pro?'', ''4-3-4-3-4'', ''Viva La Pepa'', ''El Pasado Que Vuelve'', ''Juan de la Cruz'', ''Las Joyas de Simoun'', ''¿Colaborador?'', and ''Parity''. Unfinished works included ''La Farsa de Hoy Dia'', and ''Envejecer''.
''El Unico Cliente'' is a comedy in one act, first staged on August 12, 1932. It dwells on how the household is neglected when the wife insists in practising a career.
''Mi Mujer es Candidata'' is a comedy in one act, first staged on December 30, 1932. It was written when women first ran as candidates for public office in a general election. It discouraged women from getting involved in politics especially if they were married.
''¿Es Usted Anti o Pro?'' is a comedy in one act, first staged on October 26, 1933. The title was inspired by the debates that led to the
Hare–Hawes–Cutting Act
The Hare–Hawes–Cutting Act passed to authors Congress Butler B. Hare, Senator Harry B. Hawes and Senator Bronson M. Cutting. (ch. 11, , enacted January 17, 1933) The Hare–Hawes–Cutting Act was the first US law passed setting a process and ...
. The people was then divided into two factions: those in favor were called ''Pros'', and those who were against were called ''Antis''.
''4-3-4-3-4'' is a comedy in one act, first staged on February 12, 1935. It depicts the joy of two sweethearts for having won the
sweepstakes
A sweepstake is a type of contest where a prize or prizes may be awarded to a winner or winners. Sweepstakes began as a form of lottery that were tied to products sold. In response, the FCC and FTC refined U.S. broadcasting laws (creating the ...
first prize with ticket number 43434. The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes became a national indulgence in the quest for instant wealth. The Tagalog translation of the same title was written by
Epifanio Matute.
''Viva La Pepa'' is a comedy in three acts, first staged on October 12, 1935. It was based on the campaign supporting economic protectionism for which an association called ''Proteccionismo Economico, Practico y Activo'' was organized and simply called PEPA. The play is a parody of the
National Economic Protectionism Association
The National Economic Protectionism Association (NEPA) is the oldest local non-government organization in the Philippines having been established in 1934. The non-government organization was established by Filipino industrialists with the inten ...
(NEPA) which was founded in 1934 to hasten industrial development in preparation for independence contained in the
Tydings–McDuffie Act
The Tydings–McDuffie Act, officially the Philippine Independence Act (), is an Act of Congress that established the process for the Philippines, then an American territory, to become an independent country after a ten-year transition period. ...
.
![Dramatic Philippines](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/Dramatic_Philippines.jpg)
''El Pasado Que Vuelve'' is a drama in one prologue, three acts and one epilogue, first staged on June 19, 1937. The play portrays the last years of the Spanish regime during the
Philippine Revolution. It highlighted the good customs and virtues the country possessed in politics, society, morality, religion and love then, compared to the degeneration and corruption of contemporary values. Considered as Don Paquito's best work, the masterpiece was inspired by José Rizal's ''
Noli Me Tángere'' and ''
El filibusterismo''. This play was the most repeatedly staged and had been translated into Tagalog and English. The Tagalog translation, ''Ang Kahapong Nagbalik'', was written by Senator Francisco (Soc) Rodrigo during the
Japanese occupation of the Philippines
The Japanese occupation of the Philippines (Filipino: ''Pananakop ng mga Japones sa Filipinas''; ja, 日本のフィリピン占領, Nihon no Firipin Senryō) occurred between 1942 and 1945, when Imperial Japan occupied the Commonwealth of the ...
. The English translation, ''Shadows of the Past'', was written and directed by Enrique J. Valdes in 1957.
''Juan de la Cruz'' is a drama in three acts, first staged on March 12, 1938 to celebrate the anniversary of the
Philippine Commonwealth
The Commonwealth of the Philippines ( es, Commonwealth de Filipinas or ; tl, Komonwelt ng Pilipinas) was the administrative body that governed the Philippines from 1935 to 1946, aside from a period of exile in the Second World War from 1942 ...
. The play deals with the tragedies that befall men when greed, power and lust disrupts the harmony in the home and the community at large. It features social unrest in the home and the barrio instigated by power brokers for political advantage and selfish interests. In Philippine imagery,
Juan dela Cruz
Juan de la Cruz or Maria de la Cruz (feminized form) is the national personification of the Philippines, often used to represent the "Filipino everyman." He is usually depicted wearing the native ''salakot'' hat, '' Barong Tagalog'', long pant ...
symbolizes the good, noble and honest Juan who has to carry the cross of adversity and suffering in life as a human being.
''Las Joyas de Simoun'' is a drama in three acts, first staged on June 19, 1940. Act 2710 of 1917 allowed divorce in the Philippines for the first time in its history. Since then, a popular clamor to repeal it persisted. In touch with the sentiments of the times, the play portrayed a wise and fearless attack against divorce. The title is an allusion to
José Rizal
José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda (, ; June 19, 1861 – December 30, 1896) was a Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath active at the end of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines. He is considered the national he ...
's character in ''
El filibusterismo'', Simoun, who uses his jewels and wealth to corrupt and destabilize society. The Tagalog translation, ''Ang Mga Hiyas ni Simoun'', was written by Primo Arambulo in 1940.
''¿Colaborador?'' is a tragic-comedy farce in one prologue and three acts, first staged on March 7, 1948 on the Silver Anniversary celebration of ''Circulo Escenico''. It was inspired by the pains and worries of every Filipino of being accused a Japanese collaborator during the
Second Philippine Republic
The Second Philippine Republic, officially known as the Republic of the Philippines ( tl, Repúbliká ng Pilipinas; es, República de Filipinas; ja, フィリピン共和国, ''Firipin-kyōwakoku'') and also known as the Japanese-sponsored Phi ...
.
''Parity'' is a comedy in one act, first staged on March 6, 1949. The play did not concern the
1947 Parity Rights plebiscite in the Philippines, a major controversy in everyone's mind at the time. It involved the parity and equality of rights between men and women which was an equally burning issue.
Don Paco was honored with the distinction of membership in the ''La Academia Filipina de la Lengua Española'' (
Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language
The Philippine Academy of the Spanish Language (, abbreviated AFLE; fil, Akademyang Pilipino ng Wikang Espanyol) is the language regulator for the Spanish language in the Philippines. It is one of two Spanish language regulators located in count ...
) on November 7, 1947 in recognition for his literary works. He served as one of the judges in the
Premio Zobel
Premio Zóbel is a Philippine literary award conferred on Filipino writers in Spanish language. It was established to revivify the Spanish language and to promote the best writing created by Filipino authors in the language. Founded in 1920, it is ...
since then.
Hispanic Twilight
The most prolific period of Spanish literature was during the American period in the
History of the Philippines (1898–1946)
The history of the Philippines from 1898 to 1946 began with the outbreak of the Spanish–American War in April 1898, when the Philippines was still a colony of the Spanish East Indies, and concluded when the United States formally recognized ...
. Don Paco was among the well-known playwrights of the period, which included
Claro M. Recto
Claro Mayo Recto Jr. (born Claro Recto y Mayo; February 8, 1890 – October 2, 1960) was a Filipino politician, jurist, and poet. He is remembered for his nationalism, for "the impact of his patriotic convictions on modern political though ...
,
Antonio Abad
Antonio Abad y Mercado (May 10, 1894 – April 20, 1970), was a prominent Filipino poet, fictionist, playwright and essayist.
Personal life
Antonio Abad y Mercado was born in Barili, Cebu, under the Captaincy General of the Philippines, on 10 ...
,
Jesús Balmori
Jesús Balmori y González-Mondragón (January 10, 1887 – May 23, 1948) was a Filipino Spanish language journalist, playwright, and poet.
Biography
Jesús Balmori y González-Mondragón was born in Ermita, Manila, on 10 January 1887. He studi ...
,
Pascual H. Poblete
Pascual H. Poblete ( Filipino: ''Pascual Poblete Hicaro''; May 17, 1857—February 5, 1921) was a Filipino writer, journalist, and linguist, remarkably noted as the first translator of Dr. José Rizal's novel '' Noli Me Tangere'' into the Ta ...
, Nicasio Osmeña and Benigno del Rio. However, the legitimate stage couldn’t compete with movies for patronage and English was becoming a more dominant language. The introduction of English in the public school system in 1900 marked the death knell of Spanish in the Philippines. Within thirty years, the ominous signs were beginning to show.
''Circulo Escenico'' faced increasing difficulty in sourcing young actors and actresses. The regular performers were getting older and newer elements were not easy to come by. By the time the
Third Philippine Republic
Third or 3rd may refer to:
Numbers
* 3rd, the ordinal form of the cardinal number 3
* , a fraction of one third
* 1⁄60 of a ''second'', or 1⁄3600 of a ''minute''
Places
* 3rd Street (disambiguation)
* Third Avenue (disambiguation)
* Hig ...
was inaugurated in 1946, the patronage of the Spanish theater dramatically dwindled except for a few familiar old faces, who faithfully watched the ''Circulos productions every year. Measures were introduced to stem the tide of the Spanish demise as early as 1947 when Republic Act 343 or the Sotto Law was enacted. Unfortunately, the law made the teaching of Spanish only optional. ''Circulo Escenico'' was in the forefront in the campaigns to make Spanish obligatory. The First ''Congreso de Hispanistas de Filipinas'' was held in 1950 to rally support for the language. Representing ''Circulo Escenico'', Don Paco delivered his impassioned speech tracing Spain's legacy in the Philippines and underscoring the role of the Congress to awaken the country from its lethargy and to reaffirm its historic heritage and place in the Hispanic community of nations. By May 1952, the Magalona Law or Republic Act 709 made Spanish compulsory in all universities and private schools for two consecutive years.
In March 1953, the Spanish Minister for Foreign Relations Martin Artajo and his entourage arrived in the Philippines to grace the Second ''Congreso de Hispanistas''. In honor of the visiting dignitaries, the Executive Committee of the Congress scheduled a theatrical performance authored by a Filipino. At the recommendation of Academician Benigno del Rio, ''Circulo Escenico'' was commissioned to present ''El Pasado Que Vuelve'' for the occasion. Minister Artajo and his entourage failed to attend the performance. Not even the director of the local ''Instituto de Cultura Hispanica'' showed up. To onlookers, the apparent snub focused on the absurdity of Filipinos hankering for Spanish culture when even Spanish officials cared so little about it. Del Rio lamented the fact that the Spanish dignitaries missed what could have been the last presentation of a Spanish theatrical play in the land. He proved prophetic when the growing disinterest for Spanish continued unabated, and ''Circulo Escenico'' quietly left the stage two years later.
In the last days of the ''Circulo'', Don Paco was relentless in the struggle to keep Spanish alive. In what could have been his valedictory, he said ...
''Those immortal words of the great Benavente in his play, 'Intereses Creados', aptly applies to the members of this Circulo: ‘That it is not all farce in the farce; because there is something divine in our lives that is real and eternal, and it does not end when the farce is over.’
''Circulo Escenico may you age, neither by your years nor by your labor because they make you old and staunch your energies, but by the lack of Hispanic elements that time is claiming at its passage, whose breath and spirit are your life. Continue with your sublime and beautiful mission and always raise the curtains when you can, even if in the final act only two hands are left to applaud you and one heart that beats with yours, and like you, weeps at the somber sunset of a culture and the lingering agony of certain death of a rich and sonorous language which you continue to use with fervor under these skies whether on or off stage. Continue pushing the old and broken Thespian cart with your arms, even in its passing you see only fields of solitude and withering wastelands of a worn and near dead Hispanism. You belong to the Quixotic race, and like Quixote you will die fighting til the end.
''Lady or Gentleman Circulista, may you continue riding the exhausted Rocinante of your ideals through the Philippine fields of Montiel; continue on your quest even if you need to fight like a Hidalgo, not with windmills, but with mills of steel that will leave you bloodied if not dead; because with your courage, tenacity and death, you would have demonstrated: that not by bread alone does man live; but by ideals; even if those ideals are found hidden behind the farcical cart, which sometimes laughs and sometimes cries for the solace and amusement of your public.''
Tributes
''The Hispano-Filipino theater lives and Liongson is one of its most solid pillars. Liongson is part of a planetary system in which stars shine brilliantly in no despicable magnitude. Some have already departed; others live if at all in slumber. But of those who live, the genuine militant goldsmith and forger who is pounding constantly on the anvil in proper timing is without doubt, Francisco Liongson. The theatrical production of Liongson, which covers the most varied themes as much as its quality and its dimensions, inspires respect and faith in the most non-believer with regard to the depth of the Spanish theater in the Philippines.''
- Manuel C. Briones
''Liongson, whose interests in theater began during his stay in Spain, is an edifying and active example to others because of his long and meritorious work for the theater. There are few who are his equal.''
-
Jaime C. de Veyra
Jaime Carlos Diaz de Veyra (November 4, 1873 – March 7, 1963) was a Resident Commissioner to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Philippine Islands from 1917 to 1923 and the 1st Governor of Leyte from 1906 to 1907.
Early life
He was ...
''The soul and the life of the meritorious artistic labor that is being realized by the Circulo Escenico is Sr. Liongson, who not satisfied with indefatigably involving himself with the exhausting work of preparing and directing the plays that the society performs on stage, also comes enriching the bitterness of the letters and of the Hispano-Filipino theater with the comedies he authored. And for the future survival of the Spanish language, Sr. Liongson has come to swell the ranks, each time more evident, of those who here cultivate it.''
- Segundo Telar
''Don Paco Liongson can claim with well deserved pride that he has not limited himself to directing works entrusted to him but with the ability of a craftsman he was able to transform neophyte actresses and actors who are wanting in the Spanish language into creditable performers.''
- Andres Segur
''FRANCISCO LIONGSON''
''In dreams of glory, in fields of hope
wondrous castles on stage he brings.
N’er his flesh torn or his lance broke
by the windmill's revolving wings.''
''His sword fails not thrusting words fair.
His spirit denies peregrines bar.
Like El Cid using his art's flair,
Spain he spreads through Philippines far.''
''I say in Liongson's honor my most sincere eulogy.
Let my words be filled with color,
and be filled with light, and be filled with music.''
''For he is a gentleman whom I admire and love
with the fervor that inspires great writers''
''and the love that great compatriots deserve.''
[Balmori, Jesus. ''Francisco Liongson. Spanish poem written in honor of Francisco Alonso Liongson. English translation by Francisco Liongson IV'']
- Jesus Balmori
References
External links
Pride of Bacolor. Official Website of Bacolor, Pampanga, Philippines, retrieved on 10 October 2011.
retrieved on: 10 October 2011.
retrieved on: 10 October 2011.
*
ttps://web.archive.org/web/20000117040517/http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Pagoda/7029/links.html Direcciones hispanofilipinas/ Filipino-Spanish links: Philippine Spanish, Geocities.com retrieved on: 10 October 2011
Gómez Rivera, Guillermo. Spanish in the Philippines (Language: Spanish), El idioma español en las Filipinas, Las Islas Cuentan Hoy Con Medio Millon de Hispanohablantes, La Academia Filipina, ElCastellano.org retrieved on: 10 October 2011
Farolan, Edmundo (Director). Philippine Spanish, Philippine Poetry, La revista, Tomo 1 Número 7, Julio 1997 and AOL.com retrieved on: 10 October 2011
retrieved on: 10 October 2011
*
ttp://www.rae.es/ Real Academia Española, Diccionario de la lengua espanola (Spanish Dictionary), vigesima segunda edicion, RAE.esretrieved on: 10 October 2011
Spanish in the Philippines, The Situation of Spanish in the Philippines Today and Other Hispano-Filipino Articles, FilipinoKastila.Tripod.com retrieved on: 10 October 2011
Pagina Web de Florentino Rodao sober España y Asia-Pacifico retrieved on: 7 January 2012
{{DEFAULTSORT:Liongson, Francisco Alonso
1896 births
1965 deaths
Colegio de San Juan de Letran alumni
Filipino writers
Filipino expatriates in Spain
People from Pampanga
Writers from Pampanga
20th-century Filipino lawyers
University of Santo Tomas alumni
Spanish-language writers of the Philippines