Solidaridad Bookshop sold to Rep. Leandro Leviste
Solidaridad Bookshop has found a new owner!
In a Facebook post, the bookstore announced that it has been sold to Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste, son of Sen. Loren Legarda.
Solidaridad, located in Padre Faura in Manila, was founded in 1965 by National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose.
"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," it said.
After F. Sionil and his wife, Teresita Jose, passed away in 2022, the bookshop was managed by their eldest son, Tonet Jose.
"Our family will always cherish the memory of Solidaridad and the work our parents put into it. We are excited about the transition to the new ownership and wish them success as they continue the legacy of F. Sionil Jose," Tonet said in Solidaridad's statement.
Meanwhile, Leviste thanked the Jose family for entrusting him with the bookstore.
"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," he said.
The bookstore celebrated its 60th anniversary in July.
Tonet first told UST's The Varsitarian about the decision to put the property up for sale in June.
"After me, none of my siblings will be able to manage it. We are all getting old," he said. Tonet oversaw the shop's administrative affairs.
"My siblings are all abroad, [and] it was only I who came back to take care of our parents and manage the bookshop. If I were a lot younger, I would not sell [it] at all," he continued.
Since it first opened its doors to literary lovers, the place has been regarded as "the best little bookstore in Asia."
Apart from Jose's own works, Solidaridad also holds the writings of other acclaimed Filipino authors such as Jose Rizal, Nick Joaquin, Paz Marquez Benitez, N.V.M. Gonzalez, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, Bienvenido Santos, and Lualhati Bautista.
Solidaridad is located at 531 Padre Faura, Ermita, Manila.
