POET AND PATRIOT OF THE FIRST ORDER

Fernando Ma. Guerrero stands above his contemporaries. Born on May 30, 1873 in Ermita, Manila, he was the greatest lyric poet of his generation. Spanish speaking people regarded him as a literary genius and lyricist of superior order. As well taken by Fernando M. Maramag, "Guerrero, poet and patriot of the first order, had touched the life of his people at many points."

Guerrero's parents were Don Lorenzo Guerrero, a noted painter and Doña Clemencia Ramirez, a highly educated woman. He is known a chiefly as a poet, but his talent does not lie there alone. A musician, a journalist, a politician, a painter, Fernando Ma. Guerrero above all was a patriot. His poetry in Spanish sang glorious deeds of our heroes and the fine beauty of our ladies.

Guerrero was blessed with a good education. He was given good books on many subjects such as music and art. The Ateneo de Manila gave him a Bachelor of Arts Degree; the University of Santo Tomas his law degree.

Guerrero was at heart a poet, not a lawyer. His days were filled with poetry, writing, painting, piano and flute playing.
He fought for Filipino cause with his pen during the Revolution. His writing published in the newpapers inspired the people to seek liberty. Together with General Antonio Luna, Guerrero edited La Independecia (Indepence), the organ of the Revolution. Two of his poems, "Mi Patricia" (My Country) and "Gladiator" were printed in La Independecia. He used the pen names Fulvis Gil and Gil and Gil Rosas.

Guerrero was editor of two newspapers, El Renacimiento (Rebirth) and La Opinion (The Opinion). After the Revolution, Spain honored him by making him member of the Real Acadamia de Lengua Español (Royal Academy of the Spanish Language) of Madrid. He tried writing English poems. Some of them were "Come to Me", "Forevermore", "Where Is May?" and "Far for Thee".

His important poems were collected in 1914 in a volume, Crisalidas. The poems which expresses best Guerrero's ardent love for the Philppines are "La Bandera", "El Dolor de las Cuartillas Virgenes", and "Mi Patria". His "Marcha Funebra de Chopin" and "Maria Clara" were given excellent sound, color and image.

Wanting to serve his countrymen, he ran for public office and became councilor of Manila, General Secretary of the Philippines Independence Commision, Secretary of the Philippine Assembly in 1907. After a glorious stint in government service he died on June 12, 1929 in his ancestral home in Ermita, Manila-a fulfilled man.