Perhaps one of the most prolific and versatile writers of his generation, José F. Lacaba has been a journalist, poet, translator, university lecturer, screenwriter, and show business specialist. Once a student at the Ateneo de Manila University, Pete Lacaba has since received recognition from several eminent award-giving bodies such as the Manila Critics' Circle, Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA), FAMAS, Film Academy of the Philippines, Urian, Manila Film Festival, Palanca, and National Press. Recently, he has also been a recipient of the Centennial Honors for the Arts, given by the Cultural Center of the Philippines to 100 outstanding Filipino artists of the last 100 years.

His poetry collections include Mga Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran (1979, 1996), Sa Daigdig ng Kontradiksyon (1991) and Sa Panahon ng Ligalig (1991). A new edition of his important, highly charged Days of Disquiet, Nights of Rage (1982), a reportage on the First Quarter Storm and the subsequent times, has also been released. Many of his screenplays have been ingrained in the Filipino consciousness; these include the acclaimed Bayan Ko: Kapit sa Patalim (1984), Sister Stella L (1984), Orapronobis (1989) and Segurista (1996).

Pete has served as a deputy chairman of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB). He is also a resident fellow of the U.P. Institute of Creative Writing.

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