Manila opens cultural promotion center in Seoul

By Rachel Lee

A Philippines cultural promotion office has opened in Seoul.

Philippines Ambassador to Korea Raul Hernandez held an opening ceremony at the embassy on Mar. 6 for the launch of Sentro Rizal Seoul.

More than 50 guests attended the function, including representatives from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Korea Culture Association, the Seoul Global Center, and the Multicultural Museum, as well as leaders and members of Filipino community organizations across Korea.

According to the Philippines Embassy, Sentro Rizal Seoul is the 17th cultural promotion office opened at Philippines diplomatic missions around the world. Established by the National Culture Heritage of 2009, Sentro Rizal is dedicated to global promotion of Filipino arts, culture and language. Named in honor of Dr Jose Rizal, its principal mission is to educate children of overseas Filipinos about their roots.

“It is also in line with our advocacy to educate the numerous Filipino-Korean children of their roots, history, and values,” the ambassador said. “We envisage Sentro Rizal Seoul to be an effective platform for promoting the history, language, beauty and the greatness of the Philippines.”

“For us here in South Korea, the establishment of Sentro Rizal Seoul will form a critical part in our efforts to implement programs that will promote and enhance the Philippines’ national image in Korea.”

After the inauguration ceremony, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr. gave a two-hour lecture on Filipino identity and culture entitled “What Makes Filipinos Filipino?”

Along with the inauguration of Sentro Rizal Seoul, the Philippines embassy also organized its first Cinema Sentro Festival featuring two historical blockbuster movies, “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo” and “Heneral Luna” at the Lee Byung Hyung Hall in the War Memorial of Korea.