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
Industrialization starts with the formation of capital - it does not matter how. It can be created by saving, by the state enforcing its will on the people, by the very rich themselves. F. Sionil Jose capitalcreateenforce Change image and 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
Poetry is emotion, passion, love, grief - everything that is human. It is not for zombies by zombies. F. Sionil Jose emotiongriefhuman 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
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
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
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
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
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
