Pilipinas sa Timor-Leste Mural

The “Pilipinas sa Timor-Leste” Mural, found on the front wall of the Philippine Chancery in Dili, Timor-Leste, is the first large scale Filipino-Timorese art collaboration in Timor-Leste. The sprawling mural was designed by Manila-based Filipino art group, Ang Gerilya, who are well known for their murals and street art depicting traditional and contemporary Philippine history, heritage, and culture. On the other hand, the mural was brought to life by Gembel Art Collective, a self-taught group of talented Timorese youth artists in Dili. The mural is a vivid display of Philippine and Timorese cultural elements, notably featuring the national hero of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal. To memorialize the year of the mural’s creation, the Philippines’ first ever Olympic gold medal that was won on the same year by Hidilyn Diaz was added to the mural’s design. The main objective of the mural project is to boost cultural diplomacy between the Philippines and Timor-Leste; and to promote the talents of Filipino and Timorese artists. The mural also showcases popular and national sights and sceneries of the Philippines, Timor-Leste; and pays homage to the ASEAN.

The project was initiated by then Dili PE’s Third Secretary and Vice Consul, Mr. Laser Blitz B. Sumagaysay. VC Sumagaysay personally acquired the design from the NCCA and donated it to the Philippine Embassy in Timor-Leste. The project, executed in August 2021, was led by Dili PE’s former Ambassador Abdulmaid Kiram Muin, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Laser Blitz B. Sumagaysay, and supported by the following Philippine Embassy personnel: 1. Mr. Virgil Bernard M. Romuga 2. Mr. German N. Monteras 3. Ms. April Esmeralda B. Hernandez 4. Mr. Freddie B. Ta-a 5. Mr. Pablo M. Montilano Jr.