F. Sionil Jose's Solidaridad bookshop is for sale

F. Sionil Jose's Manila bookshop Solidaridad is up for sale.

The news was confirmed to GMA News Online by Antonio “Tonet” José, the eldest child of the national artist's brood of seven and who is in-charge of running the shop.

"It's not fake news," he confirms on a phone interview.

"After me, wala na kasing mag-manage ng book shop. We decided we had to let it go," he explained calling it "a very sad decision."

According to Antonio, none of the family members is interested to run the bookshop. "Even my nephews, walang may interest. They are all in the States. I only came home to take care of my parents and the bookshop," he said. 

The Jose family has actually started sellling Solidaridad "about a month ago."

"Meron nang mga prospective buyers, may mga interested buyers," Antonio continues, calling the process "a bidding war."

Located on Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila Solidaridad has become something of a cultural and even a historical landmark. "Ermita's biggest little bookshop" has even amassed quite the following online, too. On Facebook it boasts of 15,000 avid followers.

Solidaridad will turn 60 years old in July. If you're interested to own the bookshop started by a National Artist, Tonet recommends you swing by their Facebook account and drop them a message.

Solidaridad is located at 531 Padre Faura Street, Ermita Manila. Facebook.

— LA, GMA Integrated News