House adopts Resolution expressing condolences to family of late writer, feminist Lualhati Bautista

The House of Representatives on Monday adopted House Resolution 787 expressing condolences to the family of the late feminist and award-winning writer Lualhati Bautista.

The Resolution was adopted via voice vote during the all-women session day, a tradition wherein all presiding officers of the plenary were women in celebration of Women’s month.

Bautista was a recipient of numerous literary awards, most notably the Carlos  Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature, which she won for the novels Gapo (1980), Dekada '70  (1983), and Bata, Bata, Paano ka Ginawa? (1984).

In addition, she won the Palanca awards for  two of her short stories entitled: Tatlong kuwento ng Buhay ni Julian Candelabra, and Buwan, Buwan, Hulugan mo Ako ng Sundang.

“Ms. Bautista became known for her honest realism [on] women’s issues, and her courageous exploration of women’s issues and her compelling female protagonists who confront difficult situations at home and in the workplace with uncommon grit and strength,” House Resolution 787 read.

“The House of Representatives expresses its  profound sympathy, and sincere condolences to the family of Ms. Lualhati Bautista, who is  remembered for her profound contribution to Philippine Literature and Cinema and has touched  the hearts of friends, families, and aspiring literary writers; resolved, further, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the bereaved family of  the late Ms. Lualhati Bautista,” House Resolution 787 added.

OFW party-list Marissa Magsino moved to have all the women members of the House to be co-authors of the House Resolution expressing condolences to the Bautista family and honoring the late writer, a motion carried without any objection.

Present in the audience during the adoption of House Resolution 787 were Bautista’s sister Marilag and Bautista’s niece Clarisse.

The late Bautista’s novel Dekada '70 as well as Desaparisidos (Disappeared) tackled the struggle of those who opposed the Martial Law.

Aside from her novels, Bautista is also a multi-awarded screenplay writer.

Dekada '70 won Best Screenplay at the Gawad Urian, and Young Critics Circle in 2003, and Best Story at the Film Academy and the Philippines Awards in the same year. —VAL, GMA Integrated News.