Freeway Art NACS Launch: F.Sionil Jose Collection

Last night, I got another opportunity to meet one of our country’s pride, a living legend in the flesh, the Philippines National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose, thanks to another launch of Freeway Art National Artist Collectors Series.

Francisco Sionil José (F. Sionil José) is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers whose work is now translated into 28 languages including his native Ilokano. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society.

About F. Sionil Jose:

F. Sionil José was born on December 3, 1924 in Rosales, Pangasinan, the setting of many of his stories. He was introduced to literature in public school and later attended the University of Santo Tomas after World War II, but dropped out and plunged into writing and journalism in Manila. He started journalism in the forties and was for ten years a staff of the old Manila Times ‘til 1960. His essays on agrarian reform and on social issues won him numerous awards.

In subsequent years, he edited various literary and journalistic publications, started a publishing house, and founded the Philippine branch of PEN, an international organization for writers. Sionil José received numerous awards for his work. The Pretenders is his most popular novel, which is the story of one man’s alienation from his poor background and the decadence of his wife’s wealthy family.

Jose Rizal’s life and writings profoundly influenced José’s work. The five volume Rosales Saga, in particular, employs and interrogates themes and characters from Rizal’s work.

Throughout his career, Sionil José’s writings espouse social justice and change to better the lives of average Filipino families. He is one of the most critically acclaimed Filipino authors internationally, although much underrated in his own country because of his authentic Filipino English and his anti-elite views.

Sionil José also owns Solidaridad Bookshop, which is on Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila. The bookshop offers mostly hard-to-find books and Filipiniana reading materials. It is said to be one of the favorite haunts of many local writers.

In 1980, Sionil José received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Literature and Journalism. In 2001, he was names National Artist for Literature and in 2004, he received the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award.

I super enjoyed the Tertulla (a novel/poetry reading) by Ms. Cherie Gil as she passionately read some passages from the novel “Ermita” . She also read some words from  “The Pretenders” for us.  She is one great actress and I love her top!


Ms. Cherie Gil was wearing a top by Adora, I was wearing a top by Tomato (blouse and jacket) and jeans by 7FAM!

Lourd De Veyra could not do what Ms. Cherie did so he just read as casual as he could some passages  from “Tree” and “The God Stealer”.

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde  shoot-off some ‘silly’ questions and got witty answers back from F.Sionil Jose.

Ms. Lisa asked why is he wearing a berret and why is he using a cain.  Mr. Jose answered I need them look, as he showed off his naked head and pointed his 86 years old he hardly can walk.

He is such an intelligent man I can say.  With lots of passion and love for his wife and our country!

I was able to ask him some question too! Yay for me!  I asked him if he is to write another book at this period in time (about the Philippines) what would it be , Sex and Violence, he said.

I also asked him if he still would write at his age, he resoundingly said yes. “As long as he got the Anger and the Passion, he will write” Sionil Jose answered!

I’m so lucky to have got one of his personally autograph book : “To The Young Writer and Other Essays”, those who were personally invited by Freeway also got one!  Yay for us!

Congratulations to Freeway for another successful National Artist Launch and for their continued support and campaign for the Philippine Arts and Culture!   Love our own I say!  F. Sionil Jose Collection is the 5th of the NACS Freeway Art installments.

Here’s some of the Freeway Art F.Sionil Jose Collection that caught my eye:

And my fun buddies Fashionweather and The Fashionista 🙂

I think the collection is perfect for the fall/autumn season with its mostly black and white color collection with just a hint of colors here and there, there’s some yellow and blue and violet butt he design is so revolutionary and very Freeway.

Have you read a F. Sionil Jose’s piece? What do you think of the latest Freeway Art NACS collection?

Stay gorgeous everyone!