F. Sionil Jose's Solidaridad bookshop sold to Loren Legarda's son Leandro Leviste

F. Sionil Jose's famed Manila bookshop Solidaridad has now been sold.

In a statement on its official Facebook page, the bookshop said that it has officially entered into an agreement for its sale and transition to new owner Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, the son of Senator Loren Legarda.

"Solidaridad Bookshop, the iconic Manila literary institution and long-standing cultural landmark, has entered into an agreement for the sale and transition of Solidaridad Bookshop to its new owner, Leandro Legarda Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda, who was a long-time friend of F. Sionil Jose," it said.

"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 added.

In the statement, F. Sionil Jose's son, Antonio "Tonet" Jose, expressed the family's gratitude and optimism for its future.

"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," he said.

Leviste likewise thanked the Jose family for entrusting him with the stewardship of the historic institution.

"We thank the Jose family for entrusting us with Solidaridad. 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," Leviste said.

The bookshop was put up for sale in June. Following a report by The Varsitarian, the University of Santo Tomas' school paper, that it had been sold, the family clarified that it had not been sold yet.

"We apologize to the Varsitarian and other media that carried the story, and most especially to the public that has shown interest in our bookshop, for any confusion this has caused," it said.

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 amassed quite the following online, with 16,000 followers on Facebook.

Established by F. Sionil Jose in 1965, Solidaridad turned 60 years old in July.

—Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News