NCCA Chair Virgilio Almario (2nd right) and Cambodia's Minister for Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona (3rd left) discuss PH-Cambodia cultural cooperation at their bilateral meeting in Phnom Penh.  

Right: Minister Phoeurng receives copies of the two (2) Filipino children's books translated into the Cambodian language from Chairman Almario. 

National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Chairman Virgilio Almario made an official visit to Cambodia on 25 to 27 August upon the invitation of his counterpart, H.E. Phoeurng Sackona, Cambodia's Minister of Culture and Fine Arts.

Both officials affirmed their commitment to build on the significant level of cultural cooperation between the two countries occasioned by the implementation of the Philippines-Cambodia Agreement on Culture, signed in June 2015. They likewise agreed to conclude and sign a bilateral agreement for the prevention of illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts in the coming months. 

Chairman Almario deliver his keynote remarks during a Joint Cultural Performance at the Chaktomuk Theater to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Philippines-Cambodia diplomatic relations.

Chairman Almario noted the people-centered relationship of the two countries,  and cited the efforts of the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia in deepening understanding and appreciation of the Philippines' cultures and traditions, especially among Cambodia's youth, which includes the translation to Khmer language of two Filipino  children's books and their publication and distribution to Cambodian public schools.

Minister Phoeurng, on the other hand, thanked Chairman Almario for the strong support of the Philippines for the enlistment of Cambodia's Sambor Prei Kuk temple as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During his official visit, Chairman Almario delivered remarks as Guest of Honor at the joint cultural performance of Ballet Philippines and Cambodia's Royal University of Fine Arts performers at the Chaktomuk Theater in Phnom Penh.

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