Solidaridad Bookshop, the iconic Manila bookstore founded by National Artist F. Sionil José in 1965, has officially changed hands. The new owner is Representative Leandro Legarda Leviste, a long-time friend of the José family.
Leviste says he’s investing in the bookshop to preserve not just its operations, but also the legacy of F. Sionil José, with the continued guidance of José’s family.
Antonio “Tonet” José, José’s eldest son, expressed the family’s gratitude for the trust given to Leviste. He also reassured the public that Solidaridad will continue as it has been: with its Filipiniana collection, community events, and historic literary gatherings.
The sale reportedly closed at just under ₱35 million. Leviste has said that he hopes the José family will remain involved to ensure the bookshop stays true to its history.
Solidaridad is known for being more than just a bookstore — it’s a cultural hub. Over the decades, it has served as a gathering place for writers, academics, and intellectuals, and it carried a wide selection of Filipiniana books personally curated by F. Sionil José.