Manila Bulletin's Liwayway Magazine—the country's longest running magazine in Filipino, which will mark its centenary in November 2022—received the highest award for arts and culture from the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)— “Gawad CCP Para sa Sining 2020” under the category "Pagpapaunlad ng Kultura sa Pilipinas" or promoting the culture of the Philippines.
The Gawad CCP Para sa Sining is given once each three years and is awarded to artists or groups who have consistently produced outstanding works, and enriched the development of their art form.
According to the CCP, Liwayway, since its first publication in November 1922, “was the venue for aspiring writers, giving them a space for their work and helping them find an audience for their works. At the same time, Liwayway brought Filipino literature to the masses and helped gain an appreciation for homegrown writers.”
Liwayway's storied history includes publishing the works of writers and artists who eventually became our country's National Artists. They include National Artists for Literature Amado V. Fernandez, Lazaro Francisco, Virgilio Almario, and Cirilo Bautista; and National Artists for Visual Arts Francisco V. Coching, Larry Alcala, and Vicente Manansala.
During the awarding ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo, Liwayway’s editor Johannes L. Chua received the medallion on behalf of the Manila Bulletin. “Liwayway has consistently published an issue no matter what the situation in the world may be. It never ceased to bring to its audience new stories, poems, comics, features, etc. and give a platform for young writers and artists."
Chua also shared that Liwayway has launched its podcast, while its print edition can be bought online via Shopee and Lazada.
Liwayway, which means dawn in Filipino, published its first copy as a weekly magazine in 1922 under founder Don Ramon Roces. Today, Liwayway now comes as a monthly magazine. It also has a digital version available through Magzter and PressReader and has its own website.
Aside from Liwayway, 12 individuals and one organization were also awarded by the CCP. They include: Rafael Catalino 'Nonoy' Froilan for Dance, Raul M. Sunico for Music, Felix 'Nonon' Padilla for Theater, Luis 'Junyee' Yee, Jr. for Visual Arts, Lualhati Bautista for Literature, Clodualdo 'Doy' del Mundo Jr. for Film and Broadcast Arts; Cristina Turalba for Architecture, Kenneth Cobonpue for Design, Integrated Performing Arts Guild (IPAG) for Development of Culture of the Region, Nestor Horfilla for Cultural Work and Research, Antonio Fabella for Dance (posthumous), Alice Guillermo for Cultural Research (posthumous). Danilo Dolor received the "tanging parangal" (highest distinction) for the development and support of the arts.