Francisco Sionil José was born in Rosales, Pangasinan, the setting of many of his stories. He spent his childhood in Barrio Cabugawan, Rosales, where he first began to write. One of the greatest influences to José was his industrious mother who went out of her way to get him the books he loved to read, while making sure her family did not go hungry despite poverty and landlessness.

        José’s novels, short stories and non-fiction works highlight the social underpinnings, class struggles and colonial history of Filipino society. Since starting his writing career in 1949, José has written more than 35 books, translated into more than 20 languages and published worldwide. He has also been involved with international cultural organizations, notably International P.E.N., the world association of poets, playwrights, essayists and novelists, whose Philippine Center he founded in 1958.

        Recognitions of José’s literary works and his influence on the Philippines and Asia include the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Arts (1980), Philippine National Artist (2001), and the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award (2004), and Officer in the French Order of Arts and Letters (2014).