By Cecil V. Ancheta
Manama: The Philippine Embassy in Bahrain led by Her Excellency, Ambassador Anne Jalando-on Louis together with Hon. Antonio A. Morales, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Administration with the Knights of Rizal Bahrain led the inauguration of Sentro Rizal, a center named after the Philippine’s national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, on 19 March 2023 at the embassy grounds.
In her speech Ambassador Jalando-on Louis underscored the relevance of establishing the Sentro Rizal as a symbol of nationalism that will nurture culturally literate and participative communities of overseas workers.
She extended her sincere gratitude for the continuous support rendered by the Knights of Rizal Bahrain as well as the Filipino Creatives and Filipino Writers’ Circle for their art works, painting, sculptures and literary writings.
Meanwhile, the event’s guest of honor, Undersecretary Morales who spoke during the ceremony emphasized that ‘’Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are ambassadors of our country, whatever is done will be reflected in the entire Filipinos’’. He also added, ‘’ The Department of Foreign Affairs thanks and values all your contributions to strengthen the services of the embassy’’.
According to Mr. Ahbet Quinto, the Events Program Director of the Knights of Rizal Bahrain, ‘’The mission of Sentro Rizal is to promote the Philippines in the fields of cultural awareness, economic diplomacy, patriotism, education and training, that will include educational awareness on the studies, life and works of the national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal to the young generation of Filipinos who are residing and studying in the Kingdom of Bahrain’’.
Attendees and guests were given a tour of the facility on a stand-alone villa which was adorned with enormous paintings in watercolors, oils and charcoals exhibited by Filipino Creatives Bahrain and historical photographs of Jose Rizal depicting his life and works to include his ancestral family.
Labor Attaché, Atty. Vic Cabe, Consul Bryan Jess Baguio, Vice Consul Blitz B. Sumagaysay and Welfare Officer Redina Manlapaz attended the ceremony with other embassy staff.
The Knights of Rizal Bahrain Chapter led by Noel Morales, the Chapter Commander also present during the ribbon-cutting ceremony with Ed Hernandez, Deputy Chapter Commander. Other members who participated were Rene Caseda, Paul Barrios, Lito Doblado, Elpie Quitevis, Adon Gabunan and Ahbet Quinto.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by leaders and members of different Filipino community organizations that included representatives from the Pinay Ikaw Na (PIN), Filipino American Association of Bahrain, Phenomena and Good Cause Bahrain.
Sentro Rizal was recognized by virtue of Section 42 of Republic Act 10066, known as the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,” which specifies a center “whose main purpose is the promotion of Philippine arts, culture, and language throughout the world”.
