GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center in UP inaugurated

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the Philippines (UP) and Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation (TMP) inaugurated recently the GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center in the university’s main campus in Diliman, Quezon City.

The GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center is a one-hectare complex that is home to the GT-Toyota Hall of Wisdom and the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium – two structures that are the fulfillment of the P100-million donation by the country’s leading car manufacturer to the UP Asian Center. The new building and auditorium was designed by renowned architect Jose Pedro Recio.

The donation was announced by TMP chairman Dr. George S.K. Ty during the company’s twentieth anniversary celebration in August 2008, with construction of the buildings commencing in March 2009.

“The facilities that we have built here shall showcase the rich heritage of Asia and provide perspective on the global role that it plays in the 21st century,” said chairman Ty. “These structures will become landmarks in the university, and more importantly, a melting pot of cultures.”

The GT-Toyota Hall of Wisdom will house a museum and library. The museum will showcase four major halls and provide exhibit space for the Asian Center’s collection of Philippine ethnographic materials. The Hall of Wisdom will also provide offices and meeting rooms for research, extension, and conference activities. The GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium, on the other hand, will be a 500-seat hall for international conferences and other similar events.

“The GT-Toyota Hall of Wisdom shall be a venue for cultural exchange, giving life to new ideas, research and advanced studies, while learning will be further enhanced through international conferences that will be held at the GT-Toyota Asian Center Auditorium,” explained Ty. “I look forward to the greater understanding among people of various nations that these facilities will make possible.”

“The University is now in the process of establishing a research institute for the study of relevant national and regional issues,” said UP president Emerlinda Roman. “The GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center will help us attain our vision to be a cultural and policy hub of intellectual and cultural exchanges in the Philippines and Asia.” The GT-Toyota Asian Cultural Center is the largest private donation received by UP in its centennial year.

In its 20-year history, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation has established itself not only as a manufacturer of high-quality vehicles, but also as a catalyst of social progress through its various initiatives intended to raise the quality of education, health, road traffic safety and environment in the country.

“We derive our resources from society. So, we should accordingly give back to society,” explained Ty. “As we look forward to further strengthen our partnership with the Philippine Government, we will continue to strive to contribute to the country’s development, to the economy as well as to society.”