Philippine Embassy in Jordan and the Cultural Center of the Philippines Explore Avenues in Advancing Cultural Diplomacy

The Philippine Embassy in Jordan, led by His Excellency Wilfredo C. Santos, has been actively collaborating with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to enhance and promote Philippine heritage and culture, with the goal of bolstering the relationship between the Philippines and Jordan. The Embassy held virtual meetings with CCP officials on 18 July 2024, and today, 22 August 2024, to commence discussions on these initiatives including organizing training workshops for selected Filipino community groups in Jordan with the aim of furthering skills in cultural and heritage promotion, project management, leadership and effective communication.

The Embassy’s ultimate goal is to empower these FilCom groups and foster a sense of ownership and pride in their activities. By realizing their full potential, these groups are able to strengthen their networks and collaborations with other local organizations and create economic opportunities for their members. This, in turn, leads to a more vibrant and cohesive community, with these groups being at the forefront of promoting Filipino culture and heritage in Jordan.

Other opportunities for collaboration were also discussed during the meetings, including organizing a joint social media campaign, and bringing in Filipino performing artists from the Philippines, among others. The discussions were marked by a spirit of mutual respect and a shared vision for the future. Both parties expressed optimism about the potential for these collaborations in creating awareness of the Philippine creative industry and the artistic endowments of Filipinos. 

The Cultural Center of the Philippines was created in 1966 to promote and preserve the best of Filipino arts and culture. Since then, the CCP has sought to embody the values of katotohanan (truth), kagandahan (beauty) and kabutihan (goodness). For more than 50 years, the CCP has been a leader in promoting culture and the arts. It collaborates with the government, businesses, academia, and the international community to cultivate a vibrant local creative industry. This industry values tradition, encourages innovation, enhances social consciousness, and contributes to enriching the Philippine brand and economy.

Representatives from the CCP who joined the meetings were Ms. Eva Mari DG. Salvador, Associate Artistic Director for Arts Education, Arts Education Department; Ms. Consuelo Zapata, Chief Culture and Arts Officer, Cultural Management Division, and their colleagues Ms. Eunice Mariscal and Ms. Jelly Carillo, both Culture and Arts Officers.

The Embassy's Cultural, Community, and Public Information (CCPI) Section was present at the meetings, including Second Secretary and Consul Angeli A. Payumo, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Sheila Marie G. Andales, Cultural Officer Elijah Ang-Encarnacion, and Secretary to the Ambassador Rachel Joy Pamorada. END