Remedios Gomez-Paraiso

Remedios Guinto Gomez Paraiso (born Remedios Guinto Gomez, July 12, 1918 – May 15, 2014), known primarily as Kumander Liwayway, was a Filipino guerilla fighter during World War II.

Early life

Gomez was the daughter of Maximiana Guintu and Basilio Gomez, the vice mayor of Mexico, a provincial town in Pampanga, Philippines. As a teenager, she was interested in making dresses and perfume, and often participated in local beauty pageants.

World War II guerilla After Japan invaded the Philippines in 1941, her father organized resistance against them. He was captured, tortured and executed by the Japanese. His corpse was displayed for everyone to see. Her father's death inspired her to leave home to join the guerrilla forces against Japan.

Gomez and her brother Oscar were recruited by the Hukbalahap, a guerrilla movement based near Mount Arayat. The guerrilla forces gave her the name Kumander Liwayway ("Commander Dawn"). She chose to join “rather than die without putting up resistance.” She quickly moved up through the ranks of the military receiving both combat training and Marxist education. As outcome, the Japanese were forced into a retreat. After the battle, Liwayway's fame spread to other provinces.

After the Americans returned to the Philippines in 1944, the Huks assisted Allied forces' efforts in Luzon. Toward the end of the war, Liwayway tracked down the Japanese officer who killed her father. She inflicted the same punishment on him that he had done to her father.

With a son to raise, Liwayway laid down her arms and went to work in a market. Liwayway fought for Filipino resistance fighters' recognition as World War II veterans.

In popular culture She was posthumously featured on a documentary magazine program History Presents: Mga Babae Sa Rebolusyon in 2014.

In 2021, her story was depicted in the 2021 short film Beauty Queen.

In 2024, she was portrayed by Elle Villanueva in the TV series Pulang Araw.