A weak people and its equally debilitated leaders are bludgeoned by history. It maims them into the cripples that they are meant to be. F. Sionil Jose bludgeoncrippledebilitate Change image and share on social
Class - or the economic status of individuals - is evident in all societies, some very well stratified by a rigid caste system determined by birth. F. Sionil Jose birthcasteclass Change image and share on social
November is auspicious in so many parts of the country: the rice harvest is already in, the weather starts to cool, and the festive glow which precedes Christmas has began to brighten the landscape. F. Sionil Jose auspiciousbeginbrighten Change image and share on social
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
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
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
This is the harsh truth about us: not only do Filipinos ignore books, literature - we do not understand how important the arts are - not just to those of us who work at it, but to the nation as a whole. F. Sionil Jose artbookfilipino 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
We recognize the distinctness of Asian art when we turn to its traditional forms, recognize it as Japanese, Chinese and Indian, even Balinese or Thai. F. Sionil Jose artasianbalinese Change image and share on social
