24 June 2015 - The Philippine Embassy in Bangkok formally inaugurated “Sentro Rizal” on June 19 in commemoration of the 154th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal. The “Sentro” is a reading room containing Rizaliana collections and other literature on Philippine culture.
Speaking before members of the Filipino community who came to witness the event, Charge d’Affaires Edgar Badajos said the “Sentro” will be open to the public from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday except during public holidays, for the purpose of study and research on Philippine history, literature or on culture and arts. He added that the Embassy opened the “Sentro” in compliance with Section 42 of Republic Act 10066, also known as “The National Cultural Heritage Act,” to promote awareness of the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal and other aspects of Philippine culture. The celebration started with a flag raising ceremony at the Embassy grounds.
On the same occasion, the Embassy hosted a Poetry Writing and Recitation and On-The-Spot Drawing Contests with young students from the ARK Bangkok School House and Ministry Center participants. The contests aimed to raise awareness of today’s young Filipino students in Bangkok on the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal. The competition also provided them with the opportunity to appreciate their heritage as well as share their learned abilities and talents to the Filipino community in Bangkok. The theme of both contests was “Relevance of Dr. Jose Rizal in the Life of Today’s Filipino Youth.” The judges were Ms. Ramiah Nena A. Thamavithya, a Filipino lecturer at Bangkok University; Mr. E.V. Rodolfo Mercurio, a teacher and President of Filipino Teachers Association of Thailand and Vice Consul Anna Marie C. Santos. END