THE National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), led by its chairman, National Artist Virgilio Almario and executive director Rico Pableo, Jr., established Sentro Rizal in Sydney and London to support Philippine government’s aim on global promotion of Philippine arts, cultural heritage, and language.
The establishment of Sentro Rizal at the library of thePhilippine Consulate General in Sydney was held on March 28, 2019, which was commenced by the ceremonial signing of Memorandum of Agreement followed by ribbon-cutting to officially open Sentro Rizal to the public. There were lecture-performances showcased by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (Peta) focused on the evolution of Philippine history and how it survived from its occupants for hundreds of years.
The inauguration in London was held on May 25, 2019 in coordination with the Philippine Embassy in London, exhibiting the journey of Jose Rizal as historian and a talk by Philippine historian Dr. Jose Victor Reyes. The embassy chose May 25th as the official establishment of Sentro Rizal London because it was when Jose Rizal first arrived in London to pursue his work in annotating Antonio de Morga’s Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, which was his first step in changing the way people think about and perceive Philippine history.
Sentro Rizal was recognized by virtue of Section 42 of Republic Act 10066 known as the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 that specifies the creation and establishment of Sentro Rizal whose main purpose is the promotion of Philippine arts, culture and language throughout the world.
***
For questions on this press release please contact Mr. Rene S. Napeñas, Head of the NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office through numbers 527-2192 loc 625 or email your queries to ncca.paio@gmail.com.