Highlights about the Writer Francisco Sionil Jose born on December 3 1924 in Rosales, Pangasinan He is the son of Antonio Jose an Aglipayan minister, and Sofia Sionil. He is married to Maria Teresa Jovellanos, father of seven children. He helped support his family at a young age raising hogs and working as a farmer. He studied at the Rosales Elementary School, Far Eastern University High School, Manila College of Pharmacy and Dentistry and the University of Santo Tomas (UST). He took literal arts in UST and became an editor in chief of “The Varsitarian” and “Commonwealth”.
He became inspired because of the works of Dr. Jose Rizal. He has great insights about the daily lives of the Filipinos. Living in the time where the Philippines is beginning to rise without help from foreign countries, this made Jose to create numerous short novels that reflects to the heart of the Filipino mind and soul, to the strengths and weaknesses of its men, women, and culture. He based his works through keen observations that can be seen in the present time. He is known for his anti-elite views and authentic Filipino English style.
Jose developed great skills in making short stories and novels. His novels and short stories showed the class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society.
WORKS:
- Po-on (Dusk) (1984)
- The Pretenders (1962)
- My Brother, My Executioner (1973)
- Mass (December 31, 1974)
- Tree (1978)
- Gagamba (The Spider Man) (1991)
- Viajero (1993)
- Sin (1994)
- Ben Singkol (2001)
- Vibora! (2007)
AWARDS:
- Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for the short stories, “The God Stealer,” 1959; “Waywaya,” 1979; and “Arbol de Fuego” (Firetree), 1980
- CCP Literary contests for the novel Tree , 1979 Fernando Ma. Guerrero Memorial Foundation Award for Literature from UST, the Republic Cultural Heritage Award for Tree
- Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts, 1980 •Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres, France, 2000
- Cultural Center of the Philippines Centennial Award, 1999
- The Order of Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, Japan, 2001
- National Artist for Literature, Philippines, 2001
- Pablo Neruda Centennial Award, Chile, 2004