Solidaridad Bookshop

23/11/2025

Solidaridad Bookshop Announces Sale and Transition to New Ownership

Solidaridad Bookshop, the iconic Manila literary institution and long-standing cultural landmark, has entered into an agreement for the sale and transition of Solidaridad Bookshop to its new owner, Leandro Legarda Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda, who was a long-time friend of F. Sionil Jose. Leviste is making this investment to ensure Solidaridad’s continued operations and help preserve the legacy of F. Sionil Jose with the continued advice of the Jose family.
The Bookshop was founded in 1965 by National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose and stands on the property held by the ancestors of his wife, Teresita Jovellanos Jose. Located in Padre Faura, Solidaridad was the gathering place for many of the Philippines’ literary giants, writers, intellectuals, academics, cultural workers, and civic leaders. The Bookshop has hosted numerous international luminaries in the field of literature, culture, and the arts. It is also the home of PEN Philippines, a chapter of PEN International, which F. Sionil Jose established in 1958.
Solidaridad Bookshop, dubbed as “Asia’s biggest little bookshop,” is known for having the widest collection of Filipiniana books in the Philippines giving Filipino authors an outlet for displaying and selling their publications. The unique selection of books at this legendary bookshop were specially curated by F. Sionil Jose, who singularly selected all the books that are sold.
The Jose couple passed away in 2022 and the Bookshop has been managed by Tonet Jose, their eldest son. Jose states, “Our family will always cherish the memory of Solidaridad and the work our parents put into it. We are excited about the transition to the new ownership and wish them success as they continue the legacy of F. Sionil Jose.”
Leviste said, “We thank the Jose family for entrusting us with Solidaridad. We hope they can remain involved and help ensure that the Bookshop’s operations stay true to its history and the legacy of F. Sionil Jose.”

16/07/2025

01/07/2025

The recent news that Solidaridad Bookshop has been sold is incorrect. We apologize to the Varsitarian and other media that carried the story, and most especially to the public that has shown interest in our bookshop, for any confusion this has caused.

28/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AqSNdmuME/

JOSÉ FAMILY TO PART WAYS WITH SOLIDARIDAD

After 59 years, the family of the late National Artist for Literature F. Sionil José is selling the iconic Solidaridad Bookshop in Ermita, Manila, his son Antonio “Tonet” José confirmed to the Varsitarian.

READ: https://varsitarian.net/literary/20250628/f-sionil-joses-manila-bookshop-up-for-sale

20/06/2025

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2014/10/05/1376485/notes-aborted-autobiography/amp

My daughter, Jette, continues her questions from an article that came out in the STAR Lifestyle’s Art & Culture section on Aug. 4:

15/04/2025

Now available at Solidaridad Bookshop—a wonderful book about our very own Patis Pamintuan Tesoro, “the grand dame of Filipiniana fashion and design.”

23/07/2024

THE F SIONIL JOSE YOUNG WRITERS AWARDS

The José Family, The Cultural Center of the Philippines, De La Salle University, and PEN Philippines proudly announce the 2024 F. Sionil Jose Young Writers Award, given to the best short stories in English and Filipino.

The F. Sionil Jose Young Writers Award was established by the children of F. Sionil Jose to honor his legacy to the young and beginning writers of the Philippines. It seeks to advance excellence, integrity, social justice, and the expression of love of country in literature. It is also to honor the memory of his wife, Teresita Jovellanos Jose, who was his pillar of support and inspiration.

Requirements:
· Writers should be 30 years old or younger
· They should be Filipino citizens residing in the Philippines
· The Awards will be for the best short stories in English and Filipino

Submission Guidelines:
· Submit one short story written in English or Filipino. The story may be unpublished or published. Published stories must have been published in January 2023 or later.
· The stories must cover a maximum of 20 pages, in double-spaced, 12-point typeface. The pages must be numbered.
· Submissions must include a Cover Page, which will include the complete name of the writer, their date of birth, address, email address, phone number, and the title and the language of the short story. The Cover Page must also include a brief biography (200 words maximum) about the author. If the short story has been published, the publication source and date should be indicated.
· Submission date: Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m Manila time on September 1, 2024.
· Submissions must be sent in the form of a separate cover page and the short story, both in PDF form to [email protected]

Prizes for each category:
First Prize – P25,000
Second Prize – P15,000
Third Prize – P10,000

The awards ceremony will be held in November, alongside the F Sionil Jose Conference and the annual PEN Philippines Congress.

The F. Sionil Jose Young Writers Award is funded by the Jose children, Solidaridad Bookshop, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. They are managed and facilitated by PEN Philippines and hosted by De La Salle University.