Remembering ‘Dekada ‘70’ author Lualhati Bautista: May we be brave like her

TRIBUTES poured in for award-winning novelist, activist, and screenwriter Lualhati Bautista after she passed away in her home on Sunday morning as confirmed by her family and relatives. She was 77.

Bautista is known for her iconic writing of Filipino political novels including Dekada ‘70, Bata, Bata… Pa’no Ka Ginawa, Desaparesidos, and ‘Gapô that depict the hardships and human right violations during martial law.

Sonny Ross Samonte, the novelist’s cousin, confirmed her death in a Facebook post.

“Sad News for our Torres Clan, our first cousin Lualhati Bautista died at 77 yrs old this morning,” he wrote.

Another of Bautista’s cousins, Maria Rosario, also expressed her grief for the activist’s passing on Facebook.

“Everyone  will know your name and shall recall your story,” she said. “I, together with my siblings, are deeply saddened by her passing.”

Lualhati’s courage

Bautista is remembered as a feminist known for her women’s rights advocacy. She was often seen in the streets, with her fist clenched and arms stretched towards the sky, as she spoke publicly against historical distortion and oppression.

And because of her fearless criticisms against the former administration, Bautista experienced being red-tagged on social media, especially on Facebook.

In August 2020, the novelist was accused of being part of the New People’s Army by a certain Jefferson Lodia Badong, a claim she denied.

Photo courtesy: Lualhati Bautista | Facebook

Bautista called out the Facebook user and warned him about the cyberlibel case that he might face due to his comment.

Later that day, Bautista shared that Badong sent him a private message to apologize for his groundless accusation. She also advised netizens to stop the hate comments against the Facebook user.

Remembering Lualhati

Many prominent figures extended their condolences to Bautista’s family as they recalled her strength, courage, and wit that echoes in her works.

The 77-year-old was also a screenwriter, with her award-winning novels being transformed from typewritten words to motion pictures, such as Dekada ‘70 and Bata, Bata… Pa’no Ka Ginawa.

Veteran actress and former Batangas governor Vilma Santos, who played the lead roles in Dekada ‘70 and Bata, Bata… Pa’no Ka Ginawa’s film adaptation, paid tribute to the novelist in a Facebook post.

“Paalam at Maraming Salamat, Bb. Lualhati Bautista.  Sumalangit nawa ang iyong kaluluwa,” the actress wrote. “Ipagpatuloy ko ang pakikibaglaban para sa karapatan ng mga kababaihan!”

Senator Risa Hontiveros also honored the fallen activist, saying that Bautista’s stories remind Filipinos that “everyday life is political.”

She also commended the Dekada ‘70 author for her strength and courage, and hoped her countrymen would become as brave as Bautista.

“May we always remember her, and the stories she shared, when we are faced with difficult times and decisions. May we, like her, be brave people for our country, all the days of our lives,” Hontiveros added.