Sentro Rizal launched in London

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine embassy in the United Kingdom has inaugurated a Sentro Rizal in London that aims to promote Philippine arts, culture and language, especially among children of overseas Filipinos.

Established in line with Republic Act 10066 or the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, the Sentro Rizal in London will feature a Filipiniana library and an exhibition hall.

“Through Sentro Rizal London, we hope to achieve two things: First, to inspire generations of Filipino-Britons and Filipino-Irish to reconnect with their roots and to rediscover the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Antonio Lagdameo. “And second, to tell the story of Filipino identity and culture to the people of the United Kingdom and Ireland.”

National Commission for Culture and the Arts chairman Virgilio Almario urged Filipinos to own the center and use it as a venue to celebrate Philippine culture.

The Sentro Rizal London was launched yesterday as part of the 131st anniversary of the arrival of national hero Jose Rizal in the United Kingdom.

“Some of Sentro Rizal London’s initiatives will be co-created with our cultural partners here in London,” Stacy Danika Alcantara-Garcia, the embassy’s cultural officer and Sentro Rizal London program director, said.

“The center will be a collective effort to share Philippine arts and culture to everyone,” she added.

The Sentro Rizal London is the 32nd of such center established worldwide.

Under the law, the center will serve as repository of Philippine arts, culture and language, including books, digital video discs, compact discs, films, magazines, artworks, tourism promotion materials and information materials.

The center will also offer Filipino language courses as well as hold exhibits, small concerts, poetry reading and Philippine cuisine lessons.