F. Sionil Jose’s Solidaridad Bookshop sold to Leandro Leviste

MANILA, Philippines — The Solidaridad Bookshop founded by National Artist F. Sionil Jose finds a new owner in young Batangas lawmaker Leandro Leviste.

The bookstore was acquired by the young politician as announced in a Facebook post earlier today, November 23, describing Leviste as “a long-time friend of F. Sionil Jose.”

“Leviste is making this investment to ensure Solidaridad’s continued operations and help preserve the legacy of F. Sionil Jose with the continued advice of the Jose family,” the Facebook announcement read.

The National Artist for Literature founded Solidaridad in 1965, which is located on the corner of Padre Faura in Manila and is owned by his wife, Teresita Jovellanos Jose’s family.

It is a favorite bookstore among book collectors and bibliophiles, which is said to offer the widest collection of Filipiniana books in the country. F. Sionil Jose personally selected the books in Solidaridad.

F. Sionil Jose and his wife died in 2022. Solidaridad has been managed by their eldest son, Antonio “Tonet” Jose.

“Our family will always cherish the memory of Solidaridad and the work our parents put into it. We are excited about the transition to the new ownership and wish them success as they continue the legacy of F. Sionil Jose,” Jose said in a statement on the Facebook post.

The Jose family announced last June that it is selling Solidaridad. The Varsitarian, University of Santo Tomas’ official publication, reported that its sale was sealed last July for less than P35 million. The eldest Jose son said that they decided to sell his father’s book shop due to old age and lack of successors, since all of his siblings are based outside the Philippines.

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