The new Sentro Rizal, an institution that will showcase the country's arts, culture and language to the world, was inaugurated at the Philippines Embassy in Muscat on Tuesday afternoon by representatives from the Ministry of Heritage and Culture in an effort to help the country's expatriate community in Oman better understand their homeland and its culture.
The event took place on the occasion of the Philippine Independence Day. Hundreds of books were donated by institutions across the Philippines, besides a marble bust of Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, whose name is now borne by the centre.
"The project started as just a library, which evolved to become the Sentro Rizal. This is the first of its kind in the Middle East region and is here to encourage members of the Filipino
community to pick up a book and read about their homeland," said H E Joselito Jimeno, the Philippine Ambassador to Oman.
"The material was donated by some prestigious institutions in Manila and elsewhere across the country. We invite the Filipino community in Oman to pick up a book or two when they go home and donate to the centre when they come back."
Officials added that in addition to the literature on display, an intranet connection has been set up to allow visitors to log in and read about any aspect or topic. The first Sentro Rizal opened in June 2011 in Intramuros, Manila, in accordance with a requirement by the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009.
The hope is that the Sentro Rizal's libraries will become centres of excellence for cultural learning for both local and expatriate communities.
Earlier in the day, the ambassador took part in a formal flag hoisting ceremony at the emba-ssy to mark the 114th anniversary of the declaration of independence of the Philippines.
Messages from embassy officials and singing of the national anthem accompanied the ceremony.
In addition, a concert by Bugoy Drilon from the Pinoy Dream Academy, organised with the Filipino Community Social Club in Oman, will be held at the Sur Ballroom of Muscat Holiday Inn, Al Khuwayr on Friday. The doors will open from 4pm and entry fee starts at RO2.
© Muscat Daily 2012
