Lualhati Torres Bautista is a Filipina writer, novelist, liberal activist and political critic.

Born in Tondo, Manila, Philippines to Esteban Bautista and Gloria Torres. She graduated from Emilio Jacinto Elementary School in 1958, and from Torres High School in 1962. She was a journalism student at the Lyceum of the Philippines, but dropped out because she had always wanted to be a writer and schoolwork was taking too much time. Her first short story, "Katugon ng Damdamin," was published in Liwayway Magazine and thus started her writing career.

Despite a lack of formal training, Bautista as a writer became known for her honest realism, courageous exploration of Philippine women's issues, and compelling female protagonists who confront difficult situations at home and in the workplace with uncommon grit and strength.

Bautista's venture as a screenwriter produced several critically acclaimed works. Her first screenplay was "Sakada" (Seasonal Sugarcane Workers), 1976, which exposed the plight of Filipino peasants. Her second film was "Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap" in 1984, which was nominated for awards in the Film Academy of the Philippines. Also written during the same year was "Bulaklak ng City Jail," based on her novel about imprisoned women, which won almost all awards for that year from various awards guilds including Star Awards and Metro Manila Film Festival. In 1998 her work was used for Chito Rono's film adaptation of "Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa," starring Vilma Santos. In 2000 she wrote "Gusto Ko Nang Lumigaya," the screenplay for Maryo J. de los Reyes' political drama thriller.

(Source: Wikipedia) Edit Biography