Liwayway Arceo

Who was Liwayway Arceo?

Liwayway A. Arceo was a multi-awarded Tagalog fictionist, journalist, radio scriptwriter and editor from the Philippines.

Arceo authored a number of well-received novels, such as Canal de la Reina and Titser. She also published collections of short stories such as Ina, Maybahay, Anak at iba pa, Mga Maria, Mga Eva, Ang Mag-anak na Cruz, and Mga Kuwento ng Pag-ibig. Most of her books were published by Ateneo de Manila University Press and The University of the Philippines Press. Arceo's story, Uhaw ang Vernon na Lupa was placed second in the Japanese Imperial Government-sanctioned Pinakamabuting Maikling Katha ng 1943.

Arceo made her mark as a lead actress in Tatlong Maria, a Japanese/Philippine film produced during World War II. The film was produced by two movie companies; X'Otic Pictures of the Philippines and Eiga Hekusa of Japan, in 1944. She also acted in Ilaw ng Tahanan, a long-running radio serial. Ilaw ng Tahanan became a television soap opera aired on RPN 9, during the late 1970s.

Arceo's short story Lumapit, Lumayo ang Umaga was later turned into an award-winning film by National Artist Ishmael Bernal in 1975. Filipina thespian Elizabeth Oropesa received a FAMAS Best Actress Award in 1976 for her role in the film.