F. Sionil Jose (1924–2022) was a Filipino novelist, journalist, and National Artist for Literature. His works explored class struggles, colonialism, and social justice, making him one of the most widely read Filipino writers in English. His Rosales Saga, a five-novel series spanning three centuries of Philippine history, remains his most acclaimed work.
Born in Rosales, Pangasinan, he was of Ilocano descent. Inspired by Jose Rizal, he began writing in childhood and later attended the University of Santo Tomas, though he left to pursue journalism. Over his career, he founded Solidaridad Bookshop and the Philippine branch of PEN International, advocating for literary freedom.
His novels, including The Pretenders and Mass, have been translated into over 28 languages. Despite international recognition, he remained underappreciated in his homeland due to his criticism of the elite and political corruption. He was nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize in Literature, and his works are housed in the Nobel Library of the Swedish Academy.
Jose passed away in 2022, leaving a literary legacy that continues to illuminate Philippine history, identity, and struggles.