Pangasinan mourns the passing of National Artist F. Sionil Jose

By January 16, 2022People & Events

THE provincial government recalls the accomplishments of the late Francisco Sionil Jose, a national artist and a multi-awarded creative writer from Pangasinan, who passed away on Thursday, January 13.

Governor Amado Espino III, conveyed the provincial government’s condolences to his wife, Tessie Jovellanos Jose and surviving members of the family.

“The people of Pangasinan and the officialdom of the Provincial Government express grief for the passing of a Pangasinense literary icon who is considered as the grand old man of Philippine Literature, a National Artist and a multi-awarded creative writer–F. Sionil Jose,” Espino said in his message.

Espino thanked Jose for making Pangasinan a proud race, inspiring Pangasinenses and sharing his talent to the entire nation and the whole world.

Jose, a native of Rosales town, was cited as National Artist for Literature in 2001 and earned international fame after his writings were translated in 28 different languages:  Russian, Latvian, Ukrainian, Dutch, French, Spanish, German, Danish, Swedish, and in all Asian languages.

Espino cited some of Jose’s  notable awards: the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in five different years, Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts, Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Centennial Awards, France’s Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres, and Pablo Neruda Centennial Award.

Among Jose’s renowned short stories include The God Stealer in 1959, Waywaya in 1979, Arbol de Fuego (Firetree) in 1980 and his essay: A Scenario for Philippine Resistance in 1979.

The most popular of which is the Rosales Saga which comprises five novels: Po-on; The Pretenders; My Brother, My Executioner; Mass; and Tree.

In 2010, the prestigious ASNA Balitok Award was bestowed on him by the provincial government in recognition of his remarkable contribution in Philippine Literature.

Jose died on Thursday at the age of 97.   (PIA Pangasinan/EMSA)

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