MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Recognizing and celebrating his contributions to the artistic communities, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) presents “Parangal ng Bayan Para Kay F. Sionil Jose, Pambansang Alagad ng Sining Para sa Panitikan” on May 18, 2022, at 5pm, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).
The National Artist for Literature passed away on January 6, 2022, at the Makati Medical Center where he was confined while waiting to undergo angioplasty. He was 97.
National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera will give tribute to his departed fellow artist, after the floral offering. Ambassador Delia Domingo Albert and Jun Cruz Reyes will give their eulogies and reminisce their encounters with Sionil.
The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, will perform “Ti Ayat ti Maysa nga Ubing,” one of the late National Artist’s favorite songs. Tenor Tomas Umberto Virtucio, Jr. will sing “Dungdungwen Kanto, with musical accompaniment by guitarist Ricardo Juanito Balledos.
Renowned pianist Raul M. Sunico will play “The Falling Leaves,” with music by Joseph Kosma and English lyrics by Joseph Mercer.
Tanghalang Pilipino artistic director Fernando “Tata Nanding” Josef will do an excerpt from Balete, a theater play based on “Tree,” one of F. Sionil Jose’s Rosales Saga novels which narrates the stories of the Samsons in different generations, intertwining their personal lives with the social struggles of the nation. Another novel from the saga, The Pretenders, has been brought to life by Tanghalang Pilipino, the CCP resident theater company.
Known for his novels and literary works espousing national sovereignty and social justice, F. Sionil Jose was one of the most revered and read Filipino writers whose works have been published and translated into various languages. He was the founder of the Philippine chapter of PEN.
The public are invited to pay tribute to National Artist F. Sionil Jose, following health and safety guidelines. For those attending the tribute, kindly read the CCP protocols for Alert Level 1: https://bit.ly/ccpnewnormalprotocol
