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
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
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
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 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
From antiquity, Latin died but is still studied in seminaries and elite universities. So did Sanskrit in Asia. iI was replaced by Pali, but even Pali died, too. Linguists say the only ancient language which was resuscitated from the grave was Hebrew of Israel. F. Sionil Jose ancientantiquityasia share on social
Tourists as well as natives want to see cultural achievements - whether it's the Banaue Terraces, the old churches or museums. F. Sionil Jose achievementbanauechurch Change image and share on social
I am for poetry that is admired by peasant and aristocrat alike. F. Sionil Jose admirealikearistocrat Change image and share on social
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
