Leona Florentino House and Statue

LEONA FLORENTINO HOUSE & STATUE

Leona Florentino (19 April 1849 - 4 October 1884) was a Filipino poet in the Spanish and Ilocano languages. She is considered as the "mother of Philippine women's literature" and the "bridge from oral to literary tradition".

Born to a wealthy and prominent family in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Florentino began to write her first verses in Ilocano at a young age. Despite her potential, she was not allowed to receive a university education because of her gender. Florentino was instead tutored by her mother, and then a series of private teachers. An educated Ilocano priest taught her advanced Spanish and encouraged her to develop her voice in poetry.

Florentino married a politician named Elias de los Reyes at the age of 14. They had five children together. Their son Isabelo de los Reyes later became a Filipino writer, activist and senator. Due to the feminist nature of her writings, Florentino was shunned by her husband and son; she lived alone in exile and separately from her family. She died at the age of 35.

From the Vigan City Plaza to the Heritage Village, a conspicuous structure at the left side of the Crisologo Street greets the eager yet oblivious tourists. The building is called Leona Florentino House.

Named after the foremost Ilocano poetess, subtle satirist and playwright, the Leona Florentino House was built by Don Marcelo Pichay, Cabeza Actual of the Mestizo District, and his wife, Doña Maria Estefania. The original house was burnt to the ground during the great fire in 1797.

The house was inherited by their daughter, Doña Luisa, who married Don Josep Florentino de San Joaquin on April 22, 1801. The couple had three children: Paula, Marcelino, and Victor. The middle child, Marcelino became the father of Leona.