Sentro Rizal is all about Philippine culture created for overseas Filipinos and for anyone interested in anything Filipino.
On June 28, 2011, in celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of Dr. Jose Rizal, Sentro Rizal was formally established by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
The inauguration ceremony was witnessed by NCCA Board of Commissioners, diplomats, National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose and the keynote speaker of the said event, Senator Edgardo J. Angara.
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.”
Moreover, Section 43 of the same law, states that the SR “shall be a repository, inter alia, of materials on Philippine arts, culture and language: books, digital video discs, compact discs, films, magazines, artworks, tourism promotion materials, information materials, etc. that shall be made available to the public, both Filipino and foreign”. SR shall also organize cultural programs and activities for Filipinos, especially for children overseas, to promote appreciation and understanding of Philippine culture and the arts.
Sentro Rizal envisions culturally-literate overseas Filipino communities.
Sentro Rizal aims to promote Philippine arts, culture, and language around the world through the establishment of Philippine centers in various countries. By engaging the international community in the centers’ cultural projects, activities, and resource materials, Sentro Rizal seeks to:
- Deepen understanding and enhance appreciation of the Philippines and Filipino culture
- Generate and nurture culturally-literate and participative communities of overseas Filipinos; and
- Foster mutual understanding and stimulate partnerships between Filipinos and non-Filipino residents of the host countries.
Sentro Rizal acts as the balangay which provides overseas Filipinos and their children means to connect to their roots–instilling a strong sense of nationhood and pride among them in being Filipinos.
The official logo of Sentro Rizal was designed by Felipe De Leon, Jr. and illustrated by Ryan Arengo. The letters S and R were rendered in the Ancient Filipino syllabaric script known as baybayin and were stylized to form a balangay, an ancient Philippine edged-pegged plank boat, reflecting the maritime heritage of Filipinos and depicting the character of Filipino migrants. The balangay also represents the quest of individuals in exploring the real essence of Filipino identity through culture and arts. The color of the Sentro Rizal logo was patterned from NCCA’s logo–blue and gold.