By Carissa Alcantara
Award-winning author and activist Lualhati Bautista passed away on Sunday, Feb. 12.
The news was confirmed by Lualhati’s cousin, Sonny Rose Samonte, in a Facebook post.
“Sad news for our Torres clan. Our first cousin, Lualhati Bautista, died at 77 years old this morning,” Sonny Rose wrote.
Lualhati was known for her best works such as Dekada ’70 and Bata, Bata…Pa’no Ka Ginawa.
Aside from Sonny, another cousin named Maria Rosario, also posted on social media about Laulhati's death.
"“My first cousin Ms. Lualhati Bautista, well-known writer, novelist, a feminist, known for her advocacy on women’s rights passed away this morning. I, together with my siblings, are deeply saddened by her passing,” Maria wrote.
Throughout her career as a novelist, Lualhati was also a screenplay writer with her film “Bulaklak sa City Jail,” starring Nora Aunor, which won best story and best screenplay at the Metro Manila Film Festival in 1984.
She also served as vice president of the Screenwriters Guild of the Philippines and as chair of the Kapisanan ng mga Manunulat ng Nobelang Popular.
In 2022, Lualhati was given recognition at the Gawad CCP Para Sa Sinning for her outstanding contribution to literature.