University of Pangasinan Confers Honoris Causa upon F. Sionil Jose

The University of Pangasinan, in celebration of its 84th Foundation Anniversary, conferred the Degree Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa upon Prof. Francisco Sionil Jose (2004 Pablo Neruda Centennial Awardee, 2001 National Artist for Literature, 1998 Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Awardee for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts, Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awardee) on February 12, 2009, 10 a.m. at the University of Pangasinan Gymnasium.

Francisco Sionil Jose, a Pangasinense (born in Rosales, Pangasinan) is one of the most widely-read Filipino writers in the English language. His novels and short stories depict the social underpinnings of class struggles and colonialism in Filipino society. José’s works – written in English – have been translated into 22 languages, including Korean, Indonesian, Russian, Latvaian, Ukrainian, Dutch.

This photograph was taken after the Press Conference at the 2nd floor A.S. Buiding of the University of Pangasinan. He gave me the original copy of his conferment speech which I photocopied and shared with the press.