'Writers Are Historians Too'

 “The influence of teachers extends beyond the classroom, well into the future. It is they who shape and enrich the minds of the young, who touch their hearts and souls. It is they who shape a nation's future.” – F. Sionil José

Celebrating his 96^th birthday today, “Francisco” José is one of the most widely read Filipino writers in the English language.  His award-winning novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society. 

A WWII “resistance” fighter, José attended the University of Santo Tomas after the war, but dropped out and plunged full time into writing and journalism.  In subsequent years, he edited various literary and journalistic publications, started a publishing house, and founded the Philippine branch of the international writers’ organization PEN.   Among his most popular works is the 5-novel series, The Rosales Saga, which include his most honored book, The Pretenders.  The books span 3 centuries of Philippine history and have been translated into 28 languages, including Korean, Indonesian, Czech, Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian and Dutch. 

All told, he has authored more than 30 major works, including 7 short story collections.  Almost all of his works depict Filipino history within their pages. “Writers are historians, too,” José said.  “It is in literature that the greater truths about a people and their past are found.”

 

 

 

Share A Writer’s Moment with friends           

www.writersmoment.blogspot.com