I was born in an Ilokano village called Cabugawan. Most of the houses in it were roofed with thatch, pan-aw, a species of wild grass. F. Sionil Jose bearcabugawancall Change image and share on social
Like so many poor Ilokanos, my grandparents left their village, for it could no longer sustain them. The Ilocos is a narrow coastal plain where, so often, the mountain drops to the sea. Land hunger had always afflicted the Ilokanos and made them migratory. F. Sionil Jose afflictcoastaldrop share on social
In the visual arts, particularly painting, I distrust all those abstractions, those artificial constructions. I have a very simple way of judging them: if I can do them, they are not art. F. Sionil Jose abstractionartartificial Change image and share on social
My reading of philosophy and history is desultory; I know so much and yet so little. F. Sionil Jose desultoryhistoryphilosophy Change image and share on social
My wife and I often visit Rosales and the Ilokos as a matter of habit or whim induced by nostalgia, homesickness - whatever draws pilgrims to worshipped sanctuaries. Or, perhaps, what compels moths to seek the votive flame. F. Sionil Jose compeldrawflame share on social
I tell young people who ask me about a future in writing not to go into it unless they get married to someone rich. F. Sionil Jose futuremarrypeople Change image and share on social
Art, whatever form it takes, requires hard work, craftsmanship and creativity. As a writer, I know my grammar, cadence, the music of prose, and the art of the narrative. F. Sionil Jose artcadencecraftsmanship Change image and 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
You can't have integrity for breakfast, but try and keep it because it is perhaps the single most important word that defines not just writers but all human beings. F. Sionil Jose beingbreakfastdefine Change image and share on social
I find it always pleasurable talking with young people, particularly those aspiring to be writers, out of nostalgia, and because I've always felt that we oldies can learn so much from them and draw from them inspiration in our flagging and rickety years. F. Sionil Jose aspiredrawfelt share on social
