17 October 2016 – Philippine Consul General to Guam Marciano R. de Borja and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Dr. Felipe M. de Leon Jr. led the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon to formally inaugurate the Sentro Rizal in Agana, Guam at the newly-expanded Consulate General on October 11.

Chairman de Leon announced that Sentro Rizal Agana is the first to be established and inaugurated on U.S. soil for the purpose of promoting Philippine language, culture, and the arts. Guam First Lady Christine M.S. Calvo, Guam Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Torres, and University of Guam President Dr. Robert Underwood joined Consul General de Borja and Chairman de Leon during the inauguration formalities.

The occasion was marked by the unveiling of both the Sentro Rizal marker and the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal donated by the NCCA, and also followed by the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Philippine Consulate General in Agana and the NCCA. Monsignor Brigido Arroyo and Father Karl Vila led the blessing of the Consulate General extension office where the Sentro Rizal Agana is located.

With the Sentro Rizal established, the Consulate will further intensify its cultural diplomacy efforts by working with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in developing an annual program of cultural promotion activities for Guam and other islands under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in Agana. Even before the inauguration of Sentro Rizal Agana, the Consulate has opened its doors to accommodate the Eskwelahang Munti for those who are interested to learn the Filipino language. Sessions are held every Saturday for two months biannually. END