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| F. Sionil Jose receives the award from Ambassador Franz Jessen at the Europe Day Reception in Makati City. (Photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora) |
MANILA-- Francisco Sionil Jose, the country's National Artist for
Literature, was conferred an award of distinction for strengthening the
cultural links between the European Union (EU) and the Philippines.
At the EU Reception Day in Makati on Wednesday, Ambassador Franz
Jessen, who handed the award, said Sionil Jose's acclaimed writings brought
closer the people of Europe and the Philippines.
Sionil Jose, one of the living literary treasures of the Philippines,
thanked Jessen for the recognition.
"I am not going to be coy about it. I'm 93 years old and after all
these many years of hardwork, I know I deserve this award. It's not only I who
deserves it, however. There are others in my generation who do– Nick Joaquin
and Salvador Lopez and beyond them – the Spanish writer of the early 1900s,
Rafael Palma, to Marcelo del Pilar and most of all Jose Rizal," he said.
"I also add to this distinguished list our vernacular writers who,
like most of us, were rooted in the profound humanist tradition of the
West."
During his speech, Sionil Jose left a strong message before the
audience, composed of both locals and more than 50 other nationals.
He started with recounting the Japan Meiji Restoration in 1869, which
saw Yukichi Fukuzawa, one of the movement's leaders, advance the program of
Datsu-A, commonly translated as "Leaving Asia."
Sionil Jose said this essentially proposed that for Japan to modernize,
it must reject Asia, because it meant "backwardness."
Though, the renowned author clarified that he does not suggest for such
rejection of Asia, or of "us being Filipinos."
He said that the
essence of Asian tradition is harmony and respect for hierarchy, whereas
Western tradition enshrines revolution and freedom.
"I propose instead that we look deeply into our Western heritage,
and perceive the strengths that have made
Europe endure.
Therein lies the
answer to the many problems we face today and why this award should have more
meaning, not only for me but to all my countrymen."
"Beyong the strong nation state that we are to build are the great
possibilities that harmony with our neighbors brings-- the same harmony that
the European Union has achieved and nurtures."
Most of Sionil Jose's novels have been translated into European
languages.
After receiving the distinction, Sionil Jose said that his first brush
with Europe was not with a country on the continent, but with a fellow
Filipino, who became his major inspiration as a writer-- Jose Rizal, who, he
described "was Hispanized and Europeanized, and reached intellectual
maturity in Germany."
Sionil Jose, who is also a publisher and lecturer on cultural issues,
was bestowed the Cultural Center of the
Philippines Centennial Honors for the
Arts in 1999; the Outstanding Fulbrighters Award for Literature in 1988; and
the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative
Communication Arts in 1980.
His latest award given by the EU marks the celebration of the 2018
European Year of Cultural Heritage. (PNA/By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)
