APCA - Asian Portuguese Community Association

20/06/2026

🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

19/06/2026

Centuries of mixed gastronomy tradition 😋

16/06/2026

Malacca Portuguese Community Showcases Its Heritage in Sabah

A delegation of 12 members of the Malacca Portuguese Community participated in a Malaysian Government-funded National Roadshow held in Sabah from 10–15 June 2026, celebrating the cultural heritage of minority communities across the country.

The delegation presented traditional Portuguese-Malaccan dances, wedding customs, cuisine, and traditional games, offering visitors a unique glimpse into a community that has preserved its distinct identity and traditions for more than five centuries. Many attendees expressed admiration for the rich cultural heritage of the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca.

During the event, the delegation also visited several indigenous communities in Sabah, including the Kadazan people, the largest ethnic group in the state. A particularly memorable moment was the cultural exchange that followed Sunday Mass, where both communities shared their traditional dances and strengthened bonds of friendship.

The visit highlighted the many affinities between the Kadazan and Malacca Portuguese communities, including their Catholic faith, hospitality, love of music, and strong sense of cultural identity. The delegation extended an invitation to the Kadazan community to visit the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca, particularly during the Festa San Pedro celebrations or Christmas festivities.

The event served as a valuable platform for intercultural dialogue and for raising awareness of the enduring heritage of the Malacca Portuguese Community within Malaysia’s diverse cultural landscape.

16/06/2026

Professor Hugo C. Cardoso is one of the leading scholars of Luso-Asian languages and cultures, whose research has played a crucial role in documenting and preserving the Portuguese-based creoles still spoken in parts of India and Sri Lanka. His work has been particularly important in recording the last speakers of the Indo-Portuguese creoles of Kerala, helping safeguard a unique linguistic heritage that traces its roots to centuries of cultural exchange across Asia.

A speaker at the 4th Asian Portuguese Community Conference (APCC) in Dili, Professor Cardoso recently joined an Indian podcast to discuss his research on the Indo-Portuguese creoles of Kerala and the importance of preserving these endangered languages. We are pleased to share this fascinating conversation with our followers.

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13/06/2026

The Honorary Members of APCA:

6. Zacarias Albano da Costa is one of the most distinguished Timorese diplomats of his generation. A prominent figure in the diplomatic front of the Timorese Resistance, he dedicated many years to advocating for the right of the Timorese people to self-determination in international forums and European institutions.

Following the restoration of Timor-Leste’s independence, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation from 2007 to 2012, playing a key role in strengthening the country’s international relations and advancing its regional integration efforts.

Since 2021, he has served as Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), becoming the first Timorese national to hold the organisation’s highest executive office.

As Executive Secretary of the CPLP, Zacarias da Costa was also a strong supporter of the 4th Asian Portuguese Community Conference, held in Dili in 2025. Under his leadership, the CPLP provided institutional support to the event, recognising its importance in strengthening ties between Portuguese-speaking peoples and communities across Asia. He likewise strongly encouraged the establishment of the APCA, acknowledging its potential role in preserving and promoting the shared cultural and historical heritage of Luso-Asian communities.

11/06/2026

H.R.H. D. Duarte de Bragança, delivers a brief message of thanks upon being named an honorary member of APCA. 🙏🏻

10/06/2026

The Honorary Members of APCA:
https://youtu.be/yZPFuA67ADM?si=YSUy_BNqxbEG6sMB

5. His Royal Highness Dom Duarte of Braganza, Head of the Portuguese Royal House, is widely recognized for his commitment to the preservation of the historical and cultural heritage of the Portuguese-speaking world, for promoting dialogue among peoples, and for supporting humanitarian and solidarity causes, most notably through his longstanding support for the self-determination of Timor-Leste.

Over several decades, he has consistently worked in defence of Lusophone communities across the world, maintaining particularly close and regular ties with Luso-Asian communities, which he has frequently visited over the years. Through his presence, encouragement and various cultural and religious donations, he has actively contributed to the preservation and strengthening of their traditions and identity. He has also been a deeply enthusiastic supporter of the Asian Portuguese Communities Conferences (APCC) and of the process leading to the creation of the APCA.

10/06/2026

09/06/2026

Ambassador Ana Gomes delivers a brief message of thanks upon being named an honorary member of APCA. 🙏🏻

08/06/2026

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