03 December 2015 – As part of its Sentro Rizal programme, the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta, in cooperation with the University of Indonesia and Philippine National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), organized a lecture on Nusantara: The Shared Heritage of Southeast Asian Countries by renowned authority on Philippine culture and arts, NCCA Chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr., on November 23 at the University of Indonesia, Depok Campus.

 Prior to the lecture, a meeting between Professor de Leon and Dr. Adrianus Waworuntu, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, was held to discuss possible cooperation projects and exchanges between the Philippines and Indonesia.  The two sides noted that the promotion of ASEAN identities and commonalities will contribute in building an ASEAN Community.   

Dr. Melani Budianta, Professor of Literature of the University of Indonesia, highlighted in her remarks that Professor de Leon’s lecture is relevant in promoting greater awareness of Filipino culture as well as of other countries in the region in preparation for the establishment of the ASEAN economic and socio-cultural Community.

Chairman de Leon, in his lecture, emphasized the shared insights and heritage of Indonesia and the Philippines. The lecture was well-received not only by the students but also the professors, lecturers and officials of the University who attended the lecture. They were very happy to be informed that the Philippines and Indonesia share similarities in their cultural heritage. END