He is a well-known Filipino writer who writes in English and is widely read, and his literary works have been translated into 22 languages. His novels and short stories delve into the societal impacts of class struggles and colonialism in Philippine society, reflecting his strong feelings towards colonialism in his homeland.
The settings of his works closely resemble his birthplace in Rosales, Pangasinan, and the stories are based on his own experiences during his youth. He was very familiar with injustice.
Following his departure from the University of Sto. Thomas, he embarked on a writing and journalism career, drawing significant inspiration from Jose Rizal in terms of his literary style. In the extensive five volumes of Rosales Saga, he delved into themes and characters that were influenced by Rizal’s body of work. The entirety of his professional life was dedicated to promoting social justice and enhancing the quality of life for ordinary Filipino families. He assumed various roles such as assistant editor for the United States Information Service (USIS) between 1948 and 1949, before later serving as managing editor at the Sunday Times from 1957 to 1960.
Jose has had a diverse career. He was an information officer for the Colombo Plan Headquarters in Ceylon and a correspondent for the Economist in London. Additionally, he contributed to publications like Comment, Commonwealth, and Asia Magazine. Furthermore, he served as a writer-in-residence at the National University of Singapore and a visiting research scholar at Kyoto University’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies in Japan. Moreover, he worked as a consultant for the Department of Agrarian Reform. In 1958, Jose founded the PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, and Novelists) Philippine Center.
The author, in their column titled Hindsight published on September 12, 2011, expresses concerns about the decline of intellectual and cultural standards among Filipinos. They attribute these concerns to factors such as media influence and the education system, particularly noting the decrease in emphasis on classic literature and the study of Greek and Latin. The author also acknowledges that easily accessible information on the internet contributes to this decline.
Due to their dedication to fellow Filipinos, the author has become a national figure through their literary works which depict the Filipino way of life. These works inspire Filipinos to work hard and remember their history, leading to them being recognized as one of the National Artists in the Philippines based on their influence and past experiences.
In more recent works, the focus shifts towards highlighting economic struggles faced by Filipinos while emphasizing prevailing injustices within today’s society. Socially and economically, these works have had a profound impact on Filipinos’ lives. As one of our time’s greatest writers, they enable readers to envision what lies ahead in future.
The author explores the common choice of writers to set their fictional stories in urban settings, as cities represent progress and decline in a society. This observation sheds light on the author’s own struggles as a writer, emphasizing the significance of other people’s lives in his literary works. One example is his book “Why Filipinos are Poor,” which provides insights into current issues and investigates their root causes.
The economic status of the country was compared to its previous economy. The Philippines used to be a rich country, while Korea was poor due to their past experiences. Jose conducted an economic comparison between the two countries, providing insight into our current situation. We were once envied by other countries, but now he writes about our struggle to survive. Many writers constantly revisit this idea, believing that we were better off than other Asian countries 50 or 100 years ago. However, in reality, we are actually falling behind as time goes by.
The past achievements have not enhanced the collective social intelligence of the Filipino people. Jose, a great literary artist, serves as a teacher for us, imparting valuable lessons on what we need to do. He has inspired and influenced our country and its people, earning him the title of National Artist. Through his words and works, he has allowed us to envision the state of the Philippines and recognize our deficiencies, pushing us towards improvement in our lives.
