Emy Y. Arcellana; 88

MANILA, Philippines—Emerenciana Yuvienco Arcellana died early Friday of liver failure arising from hepatic encephalopathy at a Quezon City hospital. She was 88.

Arcellana was born in Corregidor on Jan. 23, 1924, and was educated in the public schools. She graduated from Rizal High School before the Pacific War and entered the University of the Philippines, at the time based in Padre Faura.

She obtained one of the highest grade point averages in the history of the university, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in political science after the war. She joined the faculty and rose to the rank of full professor, and also served the university as dean of its Graduate School for many years. She retired as professor emeritus.

She wrote “The Social and Political Thought of Claro M. Recto”, which was her doctoral dissertation. She also edited “Favorite Arcellana Stories”, a collection of fiction by her husband, the National Artist Francisco Arcellana Sr., who died in 2002.

At the time of her death she was putting together a collection of nonfiction by her husband, and working on a book on the political systems of the indigenous people.

She is survived by her children Frankie, Beth, Joey, Mayi, Juaniyo, and Meren; 17 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Her body lies at Chapel A, Loyola Memorial  Chapels on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. Cremation is Sunday after the 10 a.m. Mass.