Language as a communication tool is the primary element from which literature is created. Even in pre-literate societies, it exists as songs, riddles, or epics that are chanted. F. Sionil Jose chantcommunicationcreate Change image and share on social
I envy those Hindus and Buddhists who have in their religion philosophy and ancestor worship which build in the believer a continuity with the past, and that most important ingredient in the building of a nation - memory. F. Sionil Jose ancestorbelieverbuddhist share on social
I write entirely in English; Tagalog chauvinists chide me for this. I feel no guilt in doing so. But I am sad that I cannot write in my native Ilokano. History demanded this; if it isn't English I am using now, I would most probably be writing in Spanish like Rizal, or even German or Japanese. F. Sionil Jose chauvinistchidedemand share on social
As artists, we must not go down to the level of the masa; we should bring them up, intellectualize our languages, create classics out of our folk arts. We can do this if we are true to our roots and strive for excellence. F. Sionil Jose artartistbring share on social
In a much larger sense, the problem of Sabah is directly influenced by the duplicity of imperial Britain. For whatever devious reason, the dismantling of the British empire created divisions and violence due to ethnic and religious differences. F. Sionil Jose britainbritishcreate share on social
We are shallow because our media are so horribly shallow. Every morning, I peruse the papers, and there is so little to read in them. It is the same with radio - all that noise, that artifice. F. Sionil Jose artificehorriblymedium Change image and share on social
Literature - Eastern and Western - abounds with stories, myths, legends about the search for youth, for eternal life. F. Sionil Jose aboundeasterneternal Change image and share on social
We are shallow because we are 'mayabang,' ego driven, and do not have the humility to understand that we are only human, much too human to mistake knowledge for wisdom. F. Sionil Jose driveegohuman Change image and share on social
When I wake up every morning, I thank God for the new day. F. Sionil Jose daygodmorning Change image and share on social
It was in the sugar hacienda in Negros, Panay and in Central Luzon where I saw the injustices heaped upon the sugar workers, particularly the sacadas, or seasonal workers. F. Sionil Jose centralhaciendaheap Change image and share on social