De Jesús, José (1896-1932), was a Filipino poet. He wrote the anthem “Bayon Ko” (“My Country”), which was later sung at the political rallies leading up to the overthrow of President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. De Jesús also wrote poetry, newspaper columns, film scripts, and lyrics for Filipino composers. His writings were often political in nature, sparking controversy.
De Jesús used Tagalog, the version of the Filipino language spoken in the Manila area, to try to stop the use of English language in schools and other institutions. His poetry was deeply political and earned him the name “Haring Balagtasan” (King of Poetic Debate).
De Jesús’s writings include “Pag-ibi Ang Pagbabalik” (“Return,” 1924), “Ang Pamana” (“Legacy,” 1925), “Pag-ibig” (“Love,” 1926), “Manggagawa” (“Worker,” 1929), and “Isang Punungkahoy” (“A Tree,” 1932). He also wrote seven long narrative poems, including “Sa Dakong Silangan” (“Somewhere on the East,” 1928) and “Ang mga Itinapon ng Kapalaran” (“Discarded by Fate,” 1930). These poems dealt with what de Jesús regarded as the “miseducation” of the Filipinos and the sufferings brought about by migration.
De Jesús also wrote a political column in verse, “Buhay Maynila” (“Life in Manila”) for the national daily paper Taliba in the 1920’s, under the pen name of Huseng Batute. In the column, he denounced the problems he saw in Filipino society, such as greed, racism, corruption, and a slow judicial system. He lost his position at the paper after a protest by an advertiser, but continued to write for other publications. In total he wrote about 4,000 columns and used a variety of colorful pen names, such as “Huseng Katuwa” (Joyful Jose), “Sundalong Lasing” (Drunken Soldier), “Paruparung Asul” (Blue Butterfly), and “Bayaning May Sugat” (Wounded Hero).
In 1925, de Jesús met his closest literary rival, Florentino Collantes, in a balagtasan (impromptu poetic contest) in defense of Filipino womanhood. Filipino poetry fans filled the Olympic stadium in Calle Doroteo José, in Manila, to hear the contest.
De Jesús also wrote screenplays, stage plays, and lyrics for musical pieces. He wrote for popular composers, including Gregorio Pablo’s Maawa Ka (Have Mercy), Francisco Santiago’s Pakiusap (Plea, 1921), and Nicanor Abelardo’s Kunidiman ng Luha (Serenade of Tears, 1924).
José Corazón de Jesús was born on Nov. 22, 1896, in Santa Cruz, Manila. He was educated at the Liceo de Manila and the Escuela de Derecho, where he studied law. He also studied humanities, Italian opera, and piano at the University of the Philippines. De Jesús died on May 26, 1932.
