Leandro Leviste takes over F. Sionil Jose’s Solidaridad Bookshop

Solidaridad finally gets new owner after sale ‘confusion’ in July

Solidaridad Bookshop, the iconic literary institution and long-standing cultural landmark founded by the late National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose, is set to welcome a new owner in Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste.

Jose passed away on Jan. 6, 2022, just a day before he was to undergo angioplasty. His wife, Teresita, who managed the business side of Solidaridad and was long considered its quiet anchor, died nine months later on Oct. 7. Their passing left the bookshop in the hands of their children, most of whom live overseas.

Located at 531 Padre Faura Street in the Ermita district of Manila, Solidaridad made the headlines on July 1, as news broke that it had been sold following its sale on June 28. Jose’s eldest son, Anthony “Tonet” Jose, told The Varsitarian that unprofitability, old age of heirs, and lack of management had prompted the decision. The reported price tag ranged from P35 to P38 million, covering the building, the bookstore, and the fixtures—sans the artworks.

The announcement came as the bookshop was nearing its 60th foundation anniversary, turning what should have been a celebratory moment into one tinged with nostalgia and loss. For generations of Filipino readers and writers, Solidaridad has been a refuge, a third space that shaped literary and intellectual life in the metro. It was, as many fondly called it, “Asia’s biggest little bookshop.”

A day later, however, Tonet clarified that the sale didn’t push through, apologizing for the “incorrect” information and “for any confusion the misunderstanding has caused.”

In any case, anecdotes and think pieces populated everyone’s news feed in the coming weeks, reigniting public conversation about Solidaridad’s uncertain future. Eventually, as the news cycle moved, the story faded.

But nearly four months later, on the afternoon of Nov. 23, Solidaridad announced a definitive turn in its story.

In a Facebook post, the bookstore said it had entered into an agreement with Leviste, whose family had long been friends with the Joses. The lawmaker vowed to “ensure Solidaridad’s continued operations and help preserve the legacy of F. Sionil Jose with the continued advice of the Jose family.” The final sale price wasn’t disclosed.

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

In a separate statement sent to The Varsitarian, Tonet assured the public that the bookstore’s operations would continue as before. Its iconic Filipiniana section—curated by Jose himself and admired by customers here and abroad, including institutions such as the United States Library of Congress—will remain intact.

Under Leviste’s watch, regular literary events like book launches and the monthly meeting of the Poets & Playwrights, Essayists, and Novelists—the Philippine chapter of which Jose founded in 1957—will also continue. Jose’s personal memorabilia, including photographs and notable sayings, will also remain on display.

“Everything will be the same,” Tonet said.

Founded in 1965, Solidaridad took its name after La Solidaridad—the fortnightly newspaper published in Barcelona and later Madrid by Filipino reformists Graciano López Jaena and Marcelo H. del Pilar—which aimed to promote relatively liberal views of the Filipino Propaganda Movement as it sought reforms for the Philippines during Spanish colonial rule.

For over six decades, Solidaridad has been a gathering place for the country’s literary giants, writers, intellectuals, academics, cultural workers, and civic leaders. It also welcomed international luminaries, including Nobel laureates Wole Soyinka, Günter Grass, and Mario Vargas Llosa.

Leviste expressed hope that Jose’s heirs will “remain involved and help ensure that the bookshop’s operations stay true to its history and the legacy of F. Sionil Jose.”

While the future of the Padre Faura landmark is uncertain, Solidaridad continues to operate as it has since 1965.

 

 

Founded in 1965, Solidaridad took its name after La Solidaridad—the fortnightly newspaper published in Barcelona and later Madrid by Filipino reformists Graciano López Jaena and Marcelo H. del Pilar.

 

 

 

READ: