SOLIDARIDAD, the 60-year-old bookstore founded by F. Sionil José, has been sold to the son of Senate culture and arts committee chair Sen. Loren Legarda, but it will still operate with the “continued advice” of the late National Artist’s family.
The development was announced on Sunday, Nov. 23, four months after the bookstore was put up for sale because of challenges in covering its operating costs and tapping a younger family member to inherit the business.
“Solidaridad Bookshop, the iconic Manila literary institution and long-standing cultural landmark, has entered into an agreement for the sale and transition of Solidaridad Bookshop to its new owner, Leandro Legarda Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda, who was a long-time friend of F. Sionil Jose,” the bookshop’s Facebook page said in a post.
“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 post did not disclose the amount Leviste paid to acquire the bookstore. Antonio “Tonet” José, son of the late National Artist, told The Flame in a previous interview that the proceeds from the bookstore’s sale would be used to fund a scholarship named after his father.
READ: Solidaridad sale proceeds to fund scholarship in honor of late National Artist F. Sionil José
In the same Facebook post, Leviste was quoted as saying that the bookstore’s legacy would still be preserved under its new ownership.
“We thank the Jose family for entrusting us with Solidaridad. We hope they can remain involved and help ensure that the Bookshop’s operations stay true to its history and the legacy of F. Sionil Jose,” said Leviste, who represents the first district of Batangas at the House of Representatives.
Established in 1965 along Padre Faura Street in Ermita, Manila, Solidaridad has functioned as a landmark of the Philippine literary scene. It became the headquarters of the Philippine Center of International PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists), which was founded by the late literary icon in 1957. F
