The Embassy of Spain, through the Instituto Cervantes and its Cultural and Education Offices, closes the final chapter of its 2025 cultural agenda with a flourish. True to tradition, the year’s program offered something for everyone—exhibits, conferences, gastronomy, mathematics, master classes, and concerts—ensuring audiences were never disappointed.

Most recently, world-renowned baritone Luis Llanez conducted master classes for aspiring Filipino singers from the Philippine Women’s University, the University of Santo Tomas, and the University of the Philippines, where he also held memorable recitals.

Meanwhile, the acclaimed street art collective Boa Mistura returned to the Philippines this month, bringing fresh energy after their successful 2024 project painting a basketball court in Tejeros, Makati.

Students at Enderun were treated to an inspiring talk by Chele González, the first Spanish chef in the Philippines to earn a MICHELIN star. His journey to one of the culinary world’s most prestigious honors encouraged young Filipino gastronomy enthusiasts and professionals, while sparking wider interest in the art of cooking.

These highlights capped a vibrant year that featured: SpyArt at Art Fair Philippines, Vicenç Prunés at the International Bamboo Organ Festival, an exhibit of Fernando Zóbel’s works at the Ayala Museum, the eclectic sounds of Manu Chao, guitarist Miguel Trápaga’s performances, the SBK Festival, electronic music showcases at the Unknown and Medium Rare Festival, Spanish and Filipino neurosurgeons convening in Legazpi, photography by Bernardo Aja, El Día del Libro, Pelikula 2025 film festival, Ramón Grau’s zarzuela workshop and concert, Math professor Fernando Blasco, exhibit Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila, designer Héctor Serrano at Design Week Philippines and in talks at DLSU, UST, and UP, historian María Dolores Elizalde, Spanish universities at the European Higher Education Fair, VII Jornadas de Español como Lengua Extranjera, Nerea Luis, marine biologist Isabel Nuñez Lendo, Spanish women’s futsal team, Juan Manuel Bellver and Spanish architects based in Japan.

Art lovers can still enjoy three on-going exhibits at the “Four Centuries of Spanish Engineering Overseas”, a permanent exposition at the Centro de Turismo in Intramuros; “A Synergy of Ventures: The Post-War Art Scene” at the Ateneo Art Gallery, commemorating Fernando Zóbel’s centennial until February 2026 and “Mezcla: Interwoven Cultures and the Mantón de Manila” at the Ayala Museum.

As 2025 draws to a close, the Embassy of Spain looks ahead with promise—poised to deliver more cultural surprises and experiences in the coming year.