The most lasting Tagalog magazine is no doubt the weekly Liwayway, which is of general interest. Novels, showbiz, lifestyle.
Liwayway was founded in 1922 by Don Ramon Roces, in no time becoming the most widely-read publication in Tagalog. Later, Don Ramon put out Bisaya for the Cebuano, Banawag for the Ilocano, Hiligaynon for the Ilonggo, Bicolnon for the Bicolano.
Through the years, Liwayway contributed to the flowering of Tagalog literature, featuring the biggest and brightest writers in the country.
The Lino Brocka classic in the ’70s, Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag, first appeared on the pages of Liwayway, penned by Edgardo Reyes.
During World War II Don Ramon stopped the publication of Liwayway. It resumed publication in 1945 under a new owner, Brig. Gen. Hans Menzi.
Liwayway and its sister publications are now published by the Manila Bulletin.— RKC