Embassy of Spain Wraps Up a Stellar Year of Cultural Diplomacy in PH

The Embassy of Spain, through Instituto Cervantes and its Cultural and Education Offices, closes its 2025 cultural calendar on a high note—delivering a rich, diverse lineup of activities that cater to all audiences. From exhibits and conferences to gastronomy, music, design, and even mathematics, this year’s program showcased the breadth of Spanish creativity and its deepening cultural ties with the Philippines.

One of the highlights came most recently with world-renowned baritone Luis Llanez, who conducted master classes for emerging Filipino vocalists from the Philippine Women’s University, University of Santo Tomas, and the University of the Philippines—where he also staged a series of well-received recitals.

This month also marks the return of Boa Mistura, the celebrated Spanish street art collective. Re-energized after their successful 2024 transformation of a basketball court in Tejeros, Makati, the group returns with fresh creative momentum.

Culinary enthusiasts, meanwhile, are set to be inspired by Chef Chele González, the first Spanish chef in the Philippines to earn a MICHELIN star. He will share his gastronomic journey with students at Enderun Colleges, offering insights meant to encourage aspiring Filipino chefs and spark wider interest in the culinary arts.

These activities cap a dynamic year that saw SpyArt participating in Art Fair Philippines, and Vicenç Prunés enthralling audiences during the International Bamboo Organ Festival. Art lovers were treated to a landmark exhibition of Fernando Zóbel at the Ayala Museum, while music fans enjoyed the eclectic sound of Manu Chao, the classical guitar mastery of Miguel Trápaga, and the energy of the SBK Festival. The year also brought together enthusiasts of electronic music at both the Unknown and Medium Rare festivals.

Strengthening academic and scientific collaboration, Spanish and Filipino neurosurgeons convened in Legazpi for the first time to share expertise, while photographic works by Bernardo Aja captivated viewers across the metro. Literature took center stage during El Día del Libro, reaffirming the enduring love for reading, and the annual film festival Pelikula 2025 once again drew crowds eager for the latest in Spanish cinema. The cultural calendar also featured Ramón Grau’s zarzuela workshop and concert, and a widely enjoyed series of school tours by math professor Fernando Blasco, who made algebra engaging through games and magic tricks.

The cultural ties between Spain and the Philippines were further explored through the exhibit Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila, which revisited the legacy of the Galleon Trade. Meanwhile, National Designer Awardee Héctor Serrano enriched Design Week Philippines 2025 with his participation and delivered lectures at DLSU–College of St. Benilde, UST, and UP. Historian María Dolores Elizalde captivated audiences with her expertise on Philippine history, and several top Spanish institutions joined the European Higher Education Fair to connect with Filipino students.

The celebration of the Spanish language continued with the VII Jornadas de Español como Lengua Extranjera, while AI expert Nerea Luis discussed the future impact of artificial intelligence. Marine biologist Isabel Nuñez Lendo encouraged students to take part in marine conservation efforts, and the Spanish women’s futsal team paid a special visit to Poveda to interact with young athletes. Adding to the cultural richness, Juan Manuel Bellver narrated the history of Spanish wine by linking it with iconic works of Spanish literature. Architecture students also benefitted from the insights of two Spanish heritage conservation experts based in Japan, who shared their research and experiences.

Ongoing Exhibits

Art enthusiasts can still visit three ongoing exhibitions: Four Centuries of Spanish Engineering Overseas, permanently displayed at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros; A Synergy of Ventures: The Post-War Art Scene, commemorating Fernando Zóbel’s centennial at the Ateneo Art Gallery until February 2026; and Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila at the Ayala Museum.

Looking Ahead

The Embassy of Spain hints at an even more vibrant cultural year ahead. With fresh collaborations and new programs already in the pipeline, the Embassy remains committed to enriching the Philippines’ cultural landscape and strengthening Spain–Philippines relations through art, history, education, and innovation.