Free! There are lots of free stuff that our global neighbors and friends regularly share with us Pinoys that you may not know about: from movie screenings to information about scholarships, grants and exchange programs, from art exhibitions to music festivals, from food festivals to foreign language classes and lectures/seminars.
Several countries have cultural offices set up in our country to provide access to Filipinos who are interested in visiting or studying another culture. Some of these cultural offices also have libraries (not just books, mind you, but also video and audio materials) that you can visit.
Give their websites a visit to find out what facilities they have and what activities they have lined up.
If you have foreign guests or balikbayans visiting you, you can take contact the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts to find out what events are scheduled. Both are included in this list.
(Please note that these are not the embassies of the countries listed.)
KOREA
8. Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines
Website: https://phil.korean-culture.org/welcome.do
Office address: 2/F Mancor Corporate Bldg., 32nd St., Bonifacio Global City, Makati City
Tel.: 555-1711
JAPAN
7. The Japan Foundation, Manila
Website: https://www.jfmo.org.ph/
Office address: 23/F Pacific Star Bldg., Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. (formerly Buendia) cor. Makati Ave., Makati City
Tel.: 811-6155 to 58, 811-6153
UNITED KINGDOM
6. British Council Philippines Office
Website: https://www.britishcouncil.org/philippines.htm
Office address: 10/F Taipan Place F. Ortigas Jr. Rd., Pasig City
Tel.: 555-3000
FRANCE
5. Alliance Francaise de Manilla
Website: https://www.alliance.ph/
Office address: 209 Nicanor Garcia St., Bel-Air II, Makati City
Tel.: 895-7585, 895-7441
SPAIN
4. Instituto Cervantes of Manila
Website: https://manila.cervantes.es/en/default.shtm
Office address: 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila
Tel.: 526-1482
GERMANY
3. Goethe-Institut Philippinen
Website: https://www.goethe.de/INS/ph/map/enindex.htm
Office address: G/F and 4-5/F Adamson Centre Bldg., 121 Leviste St., Salcedo Village, Makati City
Tel.: 840-5723, 840-5724, 817-0978
ITALY
2. Societa Dante Alighieri Comitato di Manila
Website: https://www.dantemanila.com/
Office address: Unit 45, 4/F Zeta Bldg. 191 Salcedo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City
Tel.: 759-2016
PHILIPPINES
1. Cultural Center of the Philippines and National Commission for Culture and the Arts
Cultural Center of the Philippines
Website: https://culturalcenter.gov.ph/
Office address: CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel: 832-1125
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
Website: https://www.ncca.gov.ph/
Office address: 633 NCCA Building, General Luna Street, Intramuros, Manila
Tel: 527-2192
Have you ever attended any of the free activities that these institutions have hosted? Have you availed of their grants or scholarships? Share your experiences in the Comments Section.
