02 June 2024, Kuala Lumpur - The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), successfully inaugurated Sentro Rizal Kuala Lumpur on 31 May 2024. The inauguration is part of the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Malaysia, and aligns with National Heritage Month. Under the leadership of Ambassador Maria Angela Ponce, the inauguration marks a significant milestone for Philippine cultural diplomacy.

 

The event was witnessed by Honorable Celia Anna M. Feria, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Cultural Diplomacy, Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairperson of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, Hon. Dato Akmal Che Mutafa, Undersecretary for Southeast Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NCCA Youth and Sentro Rizal Ambassador, Mr. Josh Cullen Santos of SB19. The Embassy extended its gratitude for their inspiring remarks during the event, as well as to Honorable Victorino Mapa Manalo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Philippines, for his unwavering support to ensure a successful establishment of the Sentro.

 

Members of the diplomatic corps, students, Malaysians, and members of the Filipino community graced the event.

 

In her remarks, Ambassador Ponce noted that the Sentro Rizal in Kuala Lumpur completes the network of Sentros Rizal in ASEAN capital cities. She also highlighted how in 1995, then Deputy Prime Minister Anwar praised Rizal for inspiring the Asian Renaissance, stressing the significance of commemorating Dr. Rizal globally to understand and appreciate his many contributions and to inspire a new awakening in Asia.

 

Datuk Prof Faiz, the event’s guest-of-honor and an ardent admirer of Jose Rizal, underscored that the national hero’s unshakable humanism and sense of justice are very much relevant today as they were when he wrote Noli Me Tángere and El Filibusterismo. He emphasized that Rizal’s wisdom, spirit, and tenacity are not just worth preserving and emulating, but are very much in need at a time of tremendous uncertainty and inequity both within and among nations.

 

The event featured a book reading session conducted by Mr. Josh Cullen Santos, who enthusiastically read Iba’t Ibang Lasa and Haluhalo Espesyal. Guests were also treated to a performance by Filipino-Malaysian artist Ms. Yasmin Aziz, followed by a cooking demonstration and lecture on Filipino Muslim food conducted by gastronomy expert Chef Datu Shariff Pendatun. Guests enjoyed partaking of the palapa (a condiment made of coconut and spices) and sangkerat (a banana dessert with coconut milk and pandan) that Chef Datu Shariff especially prepared for the evening.

 

  

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