He dedicated it to his former sweetheart María Asuncion Rivera, whom he nicknamed 'M.A.R.' and is referenced to a 'Selya' in the dedication ' Kay Selya' ('For Celia'). Balagtas wrote the epic during his imprisonment. It is considered one of the masterpieces of Philippine literature.
Florante at Laura (full title: Pinagdaanang Buhay ni Florante at ni Laura sa Kahariang Albanya English: The History of Florante and Laura in the Kingdom of Albania) is an 1838 awit written by Tagalog poet Francisco Balagtas.
