Arts Center represents PHL in Korea conference

Far Eastern University (FEU) further strengthened its position as a key contributor to the local and international culture and arts community as FEU Center for the Arts (FCA) senior director, Martin Lopez, and Jhon Mark Isla, section head, represented the university and the Philippines at the 2025 Federation for Asian Cultural Promotion (FACP) Conference held from Oct. 16 to 19 at the Bucheon Arts Center in South Korea. 

“Innovation & Collaboration: Next Phase of the Performing Arts” gathered arts and cultural leaders, artistic directors, producers, and policymakers from across Asia to explore evolving directions in the global performing arts landscape. The event featured keynote addresses and thematic forums highlighting the evolving trends in the performing arts, technology, and audience engagement. 

Over the past years, FEU has become active in the FACP network, an organization founded more than four decades ago at the Cultural Center of the Philippines by Dr. Lucrecia R. Kasilag, National Artist for Music, to promote intra-Asian cultural and artistic exchanges and opportunities, particularly in the performing arts. Lopez has long been involved in the organization as a Manila Governor since 2004 and twice as the FACP Secretary General in 2008-2010 and from 2019-2022.  

Last March 13 and 14, FEU Makati hosted the FACP Interim Governors’ Meeting, a significant preparatory gathering for the Bucheon Conference.  

The university’s active presence in the FACP continues to yield significant opportunities. In 2024, through FACP connections, the FEU Dance Company was invited by the Mongolian government to perform at the Nomads World Cultural Festival with full sponsorship. Lopez also represented the Philippines as a juror in the Asia Folk Festival in Mongolia for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025. 

At this year’s conference, the delegation engaged with performing arts organizations from Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, further expanding FEU’s global network. Lopez also hosted the Asian Gems for the Arts segment on the second day, where a Philippine Guitar Quartet, “PIMA,” was featured. 

By engaging with global platforms and networks like the FACP, FEU continues to cultivate partnerships, support cultural exchange, and elevate FEU’s artistic identity and cultural heritage through its cultural groups on local and global stages. 

Next year, Manila will host the FACP International Conference, where FEU will once again play its role as partner institution. This opportunity positions the university at the forefront of cultural collaboration and exchanges in the region.