The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will commemorate the centennial of National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose with a two-day series of events celebrating his contributions to Philippine fiction and his legacy in the arts.
The “F. Sionil Jose Centennial Celebration: Congress, Conference, and Contest” opens today and runs until tomorrow at The Verdure, located on the fourth floor of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall at De La Salle University in Manila. Admission to all events is free and open to the public.
Jose, widely regarded for his Rosales Saga—a five-novel series that includes Poon, Tree, My Brother, My Executioner, The Pretenders, and Mass—addressed themes of colonialism, agrarian unrest, and social inequality. His body of work spans novels, short stories, essays, and poetry, reflecting the Philippines’ struggles and resilience.
The celebration opens on Nov. 27 with the annual PEN Philippines Congress, titled Viajero: The Journey of Philippine Fiction. The congress will focus on Jose’s literary achievements and explore the evolution of regional storytelling. Jose Dalisay will deliver the Rizal Lecture, and Tanghalang Pilipino will present an excerpt from Balete, a play adapted from Jose’s novel Tree.
The congress is co-organized by De La Salle University, PEN Philippines, and Solidaridad Enterprises, the latter of which Jose founded as a hub for writers and literary enthusiasts.
On Nov. 28, “The Man from Rosales: The F. Sionil Jose Conference” will feature discussions on the author’s legacy and the state of Philippine fiction. Keynote speakers include lawyer and historian Saul Hofileña Jr. and playwright Rody Vera. Scholars will present papers examining Jose’s intellectual contributions and his impact on literature.
The event will also spotlight the next generation of writers through the revival of the F. Sionil Jose Young Writers Awards, organized by the CCP and PEN Philippines.
In addition, a photo exhibit titled Memories: Photographs by F. Sionil Jose will run from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6 at the DLSU Libraries. The exhibit will feature images captured by Jose during his time as a photojournalist and cultural advocate.
Non-DLSU attendees must register for an entry pass through bit.ly/FSJ100 and access the venue via Gate 2 (North Gate). For further details, visit fsioniljosecentennial.com or contact ccpintertextualdivision@gmail.com.
The celebration underscores the CCP’s commitment to fostering appreciation for Philippine literature, particularly among young writers and readers.
