Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) recently paid tribute to Liwayway magazine for its 88-year contribution to enriching Filipino literature in a ceremony held at the Manuel V. Pangilinan Building at AdMU’s Loyola Heights campus in Quezon City.

In an occasion that highlighted AdMU’s celebration of the “Buwan ng Wika,” Liwayway was honored with a photo exhibit which depicted the magazine’s unforgettable works since 1922.

Ateneo’s Filipino Department dubbed the event “Ang Kulturang Filipino sa mga Pahina ng Liwayway,” focusing on the work of Liwayway magazine and recollection of its earliest contributions up to its present cultural work and values that continuously uplift the development of Filipino literature.

The activity was conceptualized under the leadership of Dr. Jerry P. Respeto, head of the Filipino Department, who also hosted the program.

Held last August 3, the event assembled well-known Filipino writers, columnists and novelists, students, guests and staff of Liwayway, Bannawag, Bisaya and Hiligaynon together with managers from the Circulation Department of the Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation.

The guests were welcomed by Filipino Department heads Allan Derain, who was in charge of the “Buwan ng Wika at Kultura” organizing committee; Maricar delos Santos, Exhibition Committee head; and Dr. John Paul Vergara, President of Ateneo Loyola Schools.

Invited to cut the ceremonial ribbon was this writer, who is the managing editor of Liwayway.

In an introductory speech delivered by Dean of School of Humanities Dr. Luz C, Vilchez, she acknowledged the guests and gave a warm welcome to all attendees.

She was dressed in a Filipiniana attire that suited the occasion.

Her speech was followed by Dr. Michael M. Coroza, Filipino professor, who gave a historical account of Liwayway during his youth and when he was still eyeing on the prestige of Liwayway to be one among its popular writers.

It was a tough experience he said. He also cited the reason for giving special tribute to the magazine.

On the part of writers group, Dr. Efren R. Abueg, better known as “Haligi ng Panitikan,” acknowledged the recognition given to Liwayway and thanked the current editor of Liwayway for giving his work a space in the magazine.

This writer acknowledged the award and thanked the AdMU for its effort to give the magazine a special tribute on its 88th year of existence.

In a short speech, she encouraged the youth with special talents in writing to contribute in Liwayway, adding that modern technology used by the Manila Bulletin allows Liwayway to grow and reach wider patronage.

Among those who attended the program were: Mrs. Gilda Olvidado, TV novelist and writer of Liwayway; Mrs. Elena Patron, veteran novelist; Mr. Pablo Gomez, veteran komiks- novelist; Dr. Luis Gatmaitan, Liwayway columnist and multi-awarded writer; Lilia Borlongan-Alvarez, contributing writer; Clemen M. Bautista, contributing writer; Sophia Resano, komiks-novelist; William Contreras, komiks writer; the finest illustrators of Liwayway like Rico Rival, Abe de Ocampo, Jun Lofamia, Alfred Manuel, Kits Tumanda, and Freddie Fernandez.

Also present were vernacular magazine staff from Bannawag, Bisaya and Hiligaynon composed of Ariel Tabag, Edgar Godin, editor of Bisaya and his staff Ritchel Dorotan and Florence Peregrino, writer and staff of Hiligaynon; Ruben Bulaong, Circulation Department manager and his staff.

Last August 12, 2010, Dr. Soledad Reyes, head of Interdisciplinary Studies a lecture at Escaler Hall where she discussed the historical development of Liwayway and its greatest contribution to Panitikan since 1922.