One of Manila’s best-known literary landmarks, Solidaridad Bookshop—widely recognized as “Asia’s biggest little bookshop”—is set to change hands as it transfers to the ownership of Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste, son of Senator Loren Legarda.

The sale aims to keep the Padre Faura bookstore running and preserve the legacy of its founder, National Artist for Literature F. Sionil José, with guidance from his heirs.

Founded in 1965, Solidaridad became a meeting place for writers, scholars, and visiting cultural figures, known for its Filipiniana collection personally chosen by José and for giving Filipino authors a place to sell their books.

The shop sits on property linked to José’s wife, Teresita Jovellanos José, and for decades served as a familiar stop for anyone involved in Manila’s literary and cultural circles.

After the José couple passed away in 2022, their eldest son, Tonet José, oversaw the bookstore’s daily operations. He voiced support for the transition, saying, “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 José.”

Leviste, on the other hand, sees the purchase as a commitment to keep the shop alive. “We thank the José family for entrusting us with Solidaridad,” he said. “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 José.”

The announcement came more than four months after online claims in July that the bookstore had been sold for under ₱35 million to an unidentified buyer—details that spread widely after interviews with Tonet José were reported by The Varsitarian. In a Facebook post, Solidaridad wrote that the claims were not true and did not happen.

The bookshop stressed that the transition now underway was anchored on preserving its history rather than ending it. While the earlier interviews pointed to the long-standing challenges of maintaining the store, the confirmed transfer to Leviste indicates continuity, with both sides saying they want the shop to stay true to the vision shaped by F. Sionil José.

With the agreement in place, the Ermita institution enters a new chapter under an owner who has pledged to keep its doors open for the readers and writers who have long considered it a cultural home.