H.E. Ambassador Jose C. Laurel V and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairperson and National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario led the inauguration ceremony of Sentro Rizal on 08 December 2017 at the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo.

Ambassador Laurel, in his remarks, talked about the sojourn of Dr. Jose Rizal in Japan on February 28 – April 13, 1888 and the National Hero’s prophetic words that “I have stayed here longer than I intended, for the country seems to me very interesting and because in the future, we shall have much to do and deal with Japan.” The Ambassador also mentioned that the Philippines and Japan celebrated the 60th Year of the Normalization of Philippine-Japan Diplomatic Relations and is now on their way to a golden age of strategic partnership.

Ambassador Laurel delivering his Welcoming Remarks during the Inauguration of Sentro Rizal – Tokyo.

The establishment of Sentro Rizal is mandated by the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009 which states that “Sentro Rizal shall have branches or offices in countries where there are children of overseas Filipino workers who need to be educated about their roots, as well as developed countries where there are large Filipino communities.” Sentro Rizal – Tokyo is now the 27th Sentro Rizal branch to be inaugurated outside the Philippines.

Ambassador Laurel and NCCA Chairperson Almario unveil the Sentro Rizal marker at the newly-inaugurated Sentro Rizal – Tokyo.

Ambassador Laurel and NCCA Chairperson Almario sign the Memorandum of Understanding establishing Sentro Rizal – Tokyo.

Some officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy pose for a photo with Ambassador Laurel and NCCA Chairperson Almario after the inauguration ceremony of Sentro Rizal – Tokyo.

(Photo credit: Mr. Mark Akim)

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