MANILA (UPDATE)—F. Sionil Jose, a National Artist for Literature revered internationally and considered the most prolific Filipino novelist in English, died on Thursday. He was 97.

Jose's death was announced by the Philippine PEN (Poets, Playwrights, Essayists, Novelists), a literary group he founded.

Jose died in his sleep at 9:30 p.m. at the Makati Medical Center, according to the Philippine PEN, quoting his wife, Tessie Jovellanos Jose.

In its tribute to Jose being recognized as National Artist in 2001, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts described the novelist’s body of work “since the late 60s, when taken collectively . . . as epic.”

“Its sheer volume puts him on the forefront of Philippine writing in English. But ultimately, it is the consistent espousal of the aspirations of the Filipino — for national sovereignty and social justice — that guarantees the value of his oeuvre,” the NCCA said.

His most famous work — known aggregately as “the Rosales Saga”, consisting of “The Pretenders”; “Tree”; “My Brother, My Executioner”; “Mass” and “Po-on” — “captures the sweep of Philippine history while simultaneously narrating the lives of generations of the Samsons whose personal lives intertwine with the social struggles of the nation,” the commission added.

“The Rosales Saga” is a 5-book series detailing Philippine history through the lives of 2 families, based on the author's hometown of Rosales, Pangasinan.

In his last opinion column published the Philippine Star, dated January 3, Jose wrote about his health.

“I am back at the venerable Makati Medical Center for a possible angiogram, and if necessary, an angioplasty. My children and my wife object to these procedures. My son, Alex, who is a dietician at a hospital in California, says that senior citizens 95 and above are no longer allowed angioplasty. I am 97,” he said.

Just hours before his death, Jose wrote a letter addressed to his “Brave Heart” and published by the Philippine PEN, which called it his “last words.”

“Thank you, brave heart. There are times when as an agnostic I doubt the presence of an almighty and loving God. But dear brave heart, you are here to disprove this illusion, to do away with the conclusion that if you doubt Him, you kill Him. I cannot kill you, dear heart; you have to do that yourself. For 97 years you have been constantly working patiently pumping much more efficiently and longer than most machines,” the letter read.

“Of course, I know that a book lasts long too, as the libraries have shown, books that have lived more than 300 years. Now, that I am here in waiting for an angioplasty, I hope that you will survive it and I with it, so that I will be able to continue what I have been doing with so much energy that only you have been able to give. Thank you, dear brave heart and dear Lord, for this most precious gift.”

According to the Varsitarian, the official campus paper of the University of Santo Tomas where he studied journalism, 5 of his works won the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature: his short stories “The God Stealer” in 1959; “Waywaya” in 1979; “Arbol de Fuego” (Firetree) in 1980; his novel, “Tree,” in 1978; and his essay, “A Scenario for Philippine Resistance,” in 1979.

“Ermita” (1988) “Viajero” (1993), “Sin” (1994) and “Ben Singkol” (2001) were some of his other more popular works.

Jose was Varsitarian editor in chief in 1948 and 1949.

He was also the owner of Solidaridad Bookshop and Publishing House in Ermita, which opened in 1964.

He also became an art entrepreneur with the setting up of Solidaridad Galleries in Malate, Manila.

Jose saw his works translated into more than 24 languages.

Aside from being a National Artist, he received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts.

Jose made headlines in the latter part of his life by being a staunch defender of the Duterte administration.

He also rejected the Nobel victory by Maria Ressa, saying the Rappler chief did not deserve the award.

• Writers group distances self from founder F. Sionil Jose's tirade vs Maria Ressa

In an April 2016 Facebook post titled "Why Duterte," Jose said the Duterte vote is the voice of Filipinos angered by "corruption at all levels of our society" and lack of inclusive growth.

"If Duterte wins the election, his victory will be brought about by millions of Filipinos fed up with corruption at all levels of our society, and frustrated that the gains of the Aquino administration do not translate into their improved welfare and safety. The Duterte vote is the voice of angry Filipinos," he said.