Sentro Rizal Honolulu Launches on August 26
by Jim Bea Sampaga
Through a virtual inauguration on August 26, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu and the Philippines’ National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCAA) will officially launch the Sentro Rizal Honolulu, a cultural institution with a mission to promote Filipino art, culture and languages.
The event will be live-streamed from 3 to 5 pm HST on the following Facebook pages: Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu (facebook.com/PHinHonolulu) and Sentro Rizal Honolulu (facebook.com/SentroRizalHonolulu).
Former NCAA chairperson Professor Felipe De Leon will be giving a lecture on “Living Filipino Culture and their Artistic Expressions” as part of the ceremony. After the lecture, there will be performances from various Filipino organizations such as Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, Madrigal Singers and Ballet Philippines.
Sentro Rizal Honolulu is located beside the Philippine Consulate on Pali Highway. The newly renovated building is named after the Philippine national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal.
“Just as Rizal helped imbue a sense of love for the country, Sentro Rizal Honolulu hopes to spark the interest and desire of Filipinos in Hawaii, especially the youth, to learn more about the Philippines and engender pride in their Filipino heritage,” said the Consulate in a release.
As part of the network of Sentro Rizal institutions located in Philippine embassies around the world, the Honolulu branch will organize events, lectures, language classes and cultural performances.
The Consulate said that “the Center hopes to increase appreciation for the Philippines and its culture.”
