“Pagbabalik-Tanaw: Celebrating 10 Years of Sentro Rizal-Egypt”

Ten years ago, on 25 September 2016, a historic milestone unfolded as the Sentro Rizal Egypt was officially inaugurated at the Philippine Embassy in Egypt located in Maadi, Cairo. Under the leadership of then- Philippine Ambassador to Egypt, H.E. Leslie J. Baja and National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA) Chairman Felipe M. De Leon, Jr., the very first Sentro Rizal in Africa was established.

What started as a sanctuary for books on Philippine arts, history, culture, and language has grown into a vibrant living testament to our heritage. For 10 years, Sentro Rizal Egypt has been a second home bridging Filipino culture to the Filipino-Egyptian youth, local friends, and cultural partners.

From hosting community workshops and cultural activities, to heritage talks, and even serving as a vital ground for exercising our democratic rights through overseas voting, this space has witnessed our shared history unfold.

As we look back (#PagbabalikTanaw) on this incredible decade, we celebrate not just a library, but a thriving center of identity, pride, and community. Here’s to continuing our mission of educating, inspiring, and connecting the next generation of Filipinos with their heritage as well as introducing Filipino culture to our Egyptian friends and the global community.