MANILA, Philippines — The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) opened the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Cultural Center in Manila on Sunday.
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos attended the event and joined NCCA Chairman Eric Zerrudo in the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the historic Metropolitan Theater.
“Through creation myths, horizons, textiles, boat-building traditions, and architecture, this exhibition celebrates the different expressions of who we are, yet together, they tell one shared story,” NCCA Chairman and Executive Director Eric Zerrudo said in opening remarks.
"The establishment of the Asean Cultural Center here in Manila (ACCM) was once but a dream during the Philippines' previous chairmanship in 2017. We envision the ACCM to actively promote Asean shared cultural heritage...," Zerrudo said.
Also present at the event were, among others: San Lwin, Asean deputy secretary general for the Asean socio-cultural community; National Archives of the Philippines Executive Director Victorino Mapa Manalo who is a former NCCA chairman; Cultural Center of the Philippines President Kaye Tinga; National Museum of the Philippines Director General Jeremy Barns; Dao Cuong Hoang, deputy minister of Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture; and ambassadors of Asean members.
"Designed as a regional cultural hub, the ACCM seeks to deepen ties among ASEAN Member States and dialogue partners through knowledge-sharing, joint programs, and stronger cultural policies. It also aims to promote culture and the arts as vital forces for economic growth, peace, and regional stability," the NCCA said in a statement on Monday.
"So happy to see the ASEAN Cultural Center open its doors — a beautiful new home for our shared stories, traditions and friendships," Araneta-Marcos said on Facebook on Monday.
"As we welcome more of our ASEAN neighbors to the Philippines, I hope this becomes a place where we can learn from one another, celebrate what makes each of us unique and discover all that brings us together," she said.
The Asean was founded on Aug. 8, 1967.
The Philippines, a founding member of the association, serves as its chairman for 2026.
The Asean has 11 members which, aside from the Philippines, are Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.
Also on Sunday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for a gallery exhibition featuring miniature Southeast Asian traditional boats. It was called “FLOW: Navigating the Future Together.”
This was followed by cultural performances in the Best of Asean Performing Arts (Boapa) at the theater.
Part one of the show featured performances by Boapa 2026 delegates who later performed "Rama Hari, Redux" in part two with the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.
The program pamphlet says "Rama, Hari Redux" is based on National Artist Alice Reyes' "Rama, Hari" rock opera ballet.
It stated that "Rama, Hari" was the fruit of the collaboration of Reyes and fellow National Artists Ryan Cayabyab, Bienvenido Lumbera, Salvador Bernal, and Rolando Tinio.
