The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) invites Filipinos to celebrate art-making and literary appreciation through the F. Sionil Jose Centennial Celebration: Congress, Conference, and Contest. This series of engaging events honors the centenary of the late National Artist for Literature, F. Sionil Jose.
Free and open to all, the two-day celebration will take place on November 27 and 28, 2024, at The Verdure, 4/F Henry Sy Sr. Hall, De La Salle University (DLSU), Taft Avenue, Manila.
Jose’s literary legacy is encapsulated in his iconic Rosales Saga, a five-novel collection consisting of Poon, Tree, My Brother, My Executioner, The Pretenders, and Mass. His works also include other notable novels such as Gagamba, Viajero, Ben Singkol, Ermita, and Two Filipino Women, as well as short story collections like The God Stealer and Other Stories, Waywaya, Olvidon, Platinum, and his poetry in Questions. His essays, featured in works like Why We Are Poor and This I Believe: Gleanings from a Life in Literature, provide insightful commentary on Philippine society. His stories, deeply reflective of the nation’s history, explore themes of colonialism, social inequality, political oppression, and the Filipino struggle.
The F. Sionil Jose Centennial Celebration is co-organized by DLSU, the Philippine Center of International PEN, and Solidaridad Enterprises. The event kicks off with the PEN Philippines Congress on November 27, from 9 AM to 5 PM. Titled VIAJERO: The Journey of Philippine Fiction, the congress delves into Jose’s impact on Philippine fiction, while also exploring the evolving narrative of regional stories across the country.
Jose, a founding member of PEN Philippines and former Vice President of PEN International, was also a journalist and editor of various literary and journalistic publications. His Solidaridad Bookshop in Ermita was a cultural hub, frequented by distinguished 20th-century writers. On the same day, literary scholar Jose Dalisay will deliver the Rizal Lecture. The Free Word segment will feature an excerpt from Tanghalang Pilipino’s Balete, a play based on Jose’s novel Tree, adapted by Rody Vera and directed by Chris Millado.
On November 28, the Man from Rosales: The F. Sionil Jose Conference will take place from 9 AM to 5 PM. The conference will focus on Jose’s enduring influence as a fiction writer, as well as current challenges and opportunities in Philippine fiction. Atty. Saul Hofileña Jr. and playwright Rody Vera will serve as keynote speakers. Scholars will present research papers that examine the intellectual and literary contributions of F. Sionil Jose.
The event also celebrates the return of the F. Sionil Jose Young Writers Awards, revived by the Jose family, which will honor outstanding young literary talents. This contest is supported by the CCP and facilitated by PEN Philippines.
In addition, a special photo exhibit, Memories: Photographs by F. Sionil Jose, will showcase a selection of images taken by the late National Artist, a former photojournalist. The exhibit will run from November 27 to December 6, 2024, at the DLSU Libraries, 12/F Henry Sy Sr. Hall, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Guided tours will be available upon request.
As the leading cultural institution in the country, the CCP is committed to supporting the literary community and nurturing creative writing, especially among the youth. By bringing together established writers, students, and literary enthusiasts, the CCP aims to create meaningful discussions about the diverse landscape of Philippine literature.
