The inauguration of the Sentro Rizal Korea and the international screening of Filipino films are but a few of the thrust of the NCCA to promote Filipino culture in the global arena.
The seventeenth branch of Sento Rizal, a cultural office under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), was formally inaugurated at the Chancery of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Seoul, Korea last March 6, 2016. NCCA Chairperson Felipe M. de Leon and Ambassador to South Korea Raul Hernandez led the inauguration.
Ambassador Raul Hernandez and NCCA Chairman Felipe M. de Leon, Jr. at the opening of Sentro Rizal Korea (Image credit: Maria Shaina Santiago)
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Hernandez noted the importance of cultural awareness in strengthening diplomatic relations among nations.
“Culture is an extension of a human expression through which our respective heritage and identity can be experienced, interpreted and understood. It primarily for these reasons that the Philippine Embassy has always placed cultural diplomacy high above the hierarchy of its priorities and one of the thrusts of our cultural diplomacy efforts” said Hernandez.
The Ambassador also stressed the relevance of SR Korea in building the image of the Philippines as a nation in Korea and its assistance to their advocacy of educating Filipino-Korean children.
Aside from the inauguration, NCCA Chairperson Felipe de Leon conducted a lecture on Filipino identity for students, teachers and members of the Filipino community in Korea. Historical blockbuster films “Heneral Luna” and “Bonifacio ang Unang Pangulo” also screened for over 200 audiences at the Lee Byung Hyung Hall at the War Memorial of Korea.
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A courtesy meeting also ensued between visiting NCCA Chairman de Leon and Vice-Minister Chung Kwanjoo of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism in order to highlight the strengthened bilateral cultural relations and each nation’s mutual desire to elevate cultural cooperation.
The inauguration of the SR Korea and the international screening of Filipino films are but a few of the thrust of the NCCA to promote Filipino culture in the global arena.
For more information on the Sentro Rizal activities, you may contact Ms. Maria Shaina Santiago through numbers 527-2192 loc 605 or email sentrorizal@gmail.com.
For more information about this press release, contact Mr. Rene S. Napeñas, Head of the Public Affairs and Information Office, through numbers 527-2192 loc 207, e-mail ncca.paio@gmail.com; paio@ncca.gov.ph.
