By Gabriela Baron
Dutch writer and translator Gerard Arp released "Schemering," a Dutch translation for National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose's novel "Po-on."
(Department of Foreign Affairs / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Po-on" is the first of the five novels of Sionil Jose that make up the Rosales Saga, a Philippine political and historical epic spanning the end of the Spanish colonial period to the years after the country's independence.
Sionil Jose's "Maskerade" and "Mis in Manila" were also published in Dutch in 1980 and 1982, respectively.
The Philippine Embassy helped launch Arp's translation of Jose Rizal's "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo."
The Embassy also lauded the Dutch author for his "invaluable and immense contribution in support of the Philippine Embassy's cultural diplomacy efforts.
"His Dutch translations of the novels certainly promote greater awareness and interest in Philippine history and culture in the Netherlands," the Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.