Career
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
She died at the age of 35.