“The establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Cultural Center in Manila was once but a dream during the Philippines’ previous ASEAN chairmanship in 2017,” said National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) chairman and executive director Eric B. Zerrudo.

The vision gained momentum at the 48th ASEAN Summit in May 2026, when the adoption of the Chairman’s Statement allowed the NCCA to reaffirm its commitment to establishing the ASEAN Cultural Center Manila (ACCM) as a key initiative of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Nearly a decade later, that dream has come to fruition. The ACCM was formally inaugurated on 9 August at the NCCA-owned Manila Metropolitan Theater, with officials and delegates from the Philippines and other ASEAN member states in attendance.

Envisioned as a national cultural hub with a regional outlook, the ACCM will serve as a platform for promoting greater awareness and appreciation of ASEAN, strengthening a shared Southeast Asian identity, and deepening people-to-people engagement. It also aims to advance ASEAN’s cultural agenda in the Philippines and across the region, positioning culture and the arts as strategic drivers of sustainable development, inclusive economic growth, peacebuilding, and regional cohesion.

Inaugural exhibition

“The NCCA wanted to reflect on something that has always connected us — the water that flows through our rivers, surrounds our islands, and has shaped the lives, cultures, and stories of our people. That common thread is beautifully expressed through Flow: Navigating Our Future Together, Zerrudo said during the inauguration.

Anchored in this year’s ASEAN theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the inaugural exhibition highlights the region’s shared cultural foundations and enduring traditions while celebrating the distinct identities and expressions of the 11 ASEAN member states.

The exhibition explores themes that reflect both the unity and diversity of Southeast Asia. Creation myths and folktales illuminate the cosmologies and origin narratives that have shaped the worldviews of its peoples, while horizons symbolize their shared aspirations, interconnectedness, and collective journey toward a common goal. Textiles showcase intricate weaving techniques, patterns and materials that embody cultural identity, craftsmanship, and heritage. Boat-building traditions evoke the region’s rich maritime legacy and histories of mobility, trade, and exchange across seas and rivers. Traditional house forms, meanwhile, show how vernacular architecture responds to the environment while expressing social structures and cultural values.

Inauguration ceremony

The inauguration ceremony opened with a performance by the Young Voices of the Philippines, showcasing the artistry and talent of young Filipino singers. The event coincided with the public presentation of Best of ASEAN Performing Arts 2026.

First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos and San Lwin, ASEAN deputy secretary-general for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community graced the momentous occasion. Also present were National Archives of the Philippines executive director and former NCCA chairman Victorino Mapa Manalo; Cultural Center of the Philippines president Kaye Tinga; National Museum of the Philippines director general Jeremy Barns; Dao Cuong Hoang, deputy minister of the Ministry of Culture of Vietnam; and ambassadors of ASEAN member states.

The ACCM was formally opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a guided tour of the exhibition.

As it begins its journey as a cultural hub for ASEAN in the Philippines, the center will be temporarily housed at the Gallery of the historic Manila Metropolitan Theater until

December 2026.