18 May 2016 - The Philippine Embassy in Yangon, led by Philippine Ambassador to Myanmar Alex G. Chua, with National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Dr. Felipe de Leon, Jr., inaugurated Sentro Rizal Yangon on May 14 at the Philippine Chancery.
The establishment of Sentro Rizal is mandated in the Heritage Law or Republic Act 10066 for the purpose of promoting Philippine languages and culture. The Sentro Rizal Yangon, the 18th cultural center to be established overseas, is envisioned to serve as the vehicle to promote the country’s art and culture to the Filipino Community.
In his opening speech, Ambassador Alex G. Chua noted the parallelism between the lives of the Philippines’ and Myanmar’s national heroes Dr. Jose Rizal and Bogyoke Aung San. “Rizal’s life mirrors that of Myanmar’s revered father, Bogyoke Aung San. Their death in their 30’s inspired revolutions that gave birth to nations.” He expressed hope that the inauguration of Sentro Rizal Yangon will promote mutual understanding between the Philippines and Myanmar.
Prior to the inauguration, NCCA Chairman Dr. Felipe de Leon Jr delivered a talk on “The Connectivity of the Filipino: A Culture of Well Being.” He discussed the identity of the Filipino as hinged on pagpapakatao (culture of higher self). The kapwa-based Filipino culture, Chairman de Leon said, makes the Filipino a “genius” in connectivity, flexibility, expressiveness, creativity and wellness.
In conjunction with the inauguration, the Embassy also organized the premiere of the documentary Mga Dayo. Produced and directed by Palanca-awardee Mr Jose Dennis Teodosio and Mr Joamar Canosa, Mga Dayo, which featured the lives of and highlighted the contributions of Filipinos in Myanmar.
The inauguration of Sentro Rizal, attended by nearly 60 guests from the Filipino, and local and expatriate communities, is part of the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-Myanmar bilateral relations. END