SEOUL, 06 March 2016 - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Raul S. Hernandez, together with the Chairman of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Professor Felipe M. de Leon, Jr., inaugurated Sentro Rizal Seoul on 06 March 2016 at the 2nd floor of the Embassy Chancery.

Sentro Rizal Seoul is the 17th such cultural promotion office opened in Philippine diplomatic missions around the world and the third formal inauguration arranged with the NCCA. Established by virtue of the National Culture Heritage of 2009, Sentro Rizal is dedicated to the global promotion of Filipino arts, culture, and language. Named in honor of Dr Jose Rizal, it has, as its principal mission, to educate children of Overseas Filipinos about their roots. The inauguration ceremony was attended by over 50 guests which include representatives from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Korea Culture Association, Seoul Global Center, and Multicultural Museum, as well as leaders and members of the different Filipino community organizations across Korea. Ambassador Hernandez, in his welcome remarks, underscored the relevance of establishing Sentro Rizal Seoul. "For us here in South Korea, the establishment of Sentro Rizal Seoul will form a critical part in our efforts to implement programs that will promote and enhance the Philippines' national image in Korea." "It is also in line with our advocacy to educate the numerous Filipino-Korean children of their roots, history, and values. We envisage Sentro Rizal Seoul to be an effective platform for promoting the history, language, beauty, and the greatness of the Philippines." Ambassador Hernandez added. Following the inauguration ceremony of Sentro Rizal Seoul, Chairman de Leon gave a two-hour lecture on Filipino identity and culture entitled "What Makes Filipinos Filipino?" The lecture was attended by Filipino professors, students, and community leaders. In conjunction with the inauguration of Sentro Rizal Seoul, the Embassy also organized its first-ever Cinema Sentro Festival featuring two historical blockbuster movies, "Bonifacio: Ang Unang Panguloc and "Heneral Luna." The film screening, which was held at the Lee Byung Hyung Hall at the War Memorial of Korea, was attended by over 200 people. In addition to attending the inaugural activities of Sentro Rizal Seoul, Chairman de Leon also had a meeting with the First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST), Mr. Chung Kwanjoo, on 07 March 2016 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul. During the courtesy meeting, which was also attended by Ambassador Hernandez, both sides highlighted the strong bilateral relations between the PHL and ROK, and expressed mutual desire to elevate future cultural cooperation between the two countries.