EMBASSY LAUNCHES SENTRO RIZAL FILM CLUB WITH SCREENING OF AZUCAR

Kuala Lumpur, 29 March 2025 — The Philippine Embassy, in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), officially launched the Sentro Rizal Film Club with a special screening of Azucar on 26 March 2025. This initiative aims to promote Filipino culture and storytelling abroad, providing a platform for showcasing the rich heritage and diverse narratives of the Philippines.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Maria Angela A. Ponce highlighted the importance of showcasing Filipino stories that reflect the resilience, dedication, and dreams of the Filipino people. She mentioned that Azucar provides a meaningful glimpse into the lives of sugar mill workers in Negros Occidental, whose livelihoods are deeply rooted in the sugar industry—a vital component of the economy and culture of the Western Visayas region.

Directed by Kurt Soberano and produced by the Department of Tourism Region VI in collaboration with CineKasimanwa, Azucar, a film released in 2019, tells the moving story of two hardworking individuals who form a bond while working at the smallest sugar mill in Negros Occidental, a province renowned for producing the sweetest brown sugar. The 2019 film, primarily in Hiligaynon, highlights the everyday struggles and aspirations of workers and the significance of the sugar industry in Filipino heritage. -END

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