SFA-AGR-520-08

ASEAN OTTAWA COMMITTEE MARKS ASEAN DAY WITH AOC PICNIC

15 August 2008 - In what is fast shaping up as an ASEAN Day tradition, the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa organized the ASEAN Ottawa Committee (AOC) Picnic held on ASEAN Day, 08 August, at the Vincent Massey Park in Ottawa. For the second year in a row, the embassy has organized this activity for the AOC, made more significant by the fact that it was held on the day that ASEAN marked its 41st anniversary.

Attended by the Heads of Mission of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, together with their officers, staff and members of their families, this year’s AOC Picnic brought together some 250 members of the closely-knit community of seven resident missions in the Canadian capital.

The festivities during the fun-filled afternoon included a volleyball tournament organized by the High Commission of Brunei participated in by representatives from the seven missions. Simultaneously with the volleyball games, children participated in various playground games organized by the Embassy of Vietnam.

In remarks at the opening of the picnic, Ambassador Jose S. Brillantes congratulated the AOC for taking full advantage of the opportunity provided by the AOC Picnic to further promote cooperation, understanding and relations among ASEAN Missions in Ottawa. Ambassador Brillantes said that in fostering participation among as many members of the AOC family in as many activities as possible, the AOC Picnic and its various sports events help create and develop friendship as well as offer the joy of sports competition and achievement to the ASEAN family in Ottawa.

Ambassador Brillantes said, “The AOC Picnic is indeed an example of ASEAN at its best.” The Ambassador then invited everyone to the buffet of ASEAN dishes contributed by the seven embassies and high commissions.  Following the hearty repast, prizes and awards were given out in table tennis, organized by Indonesia; bowling, organized by Thailand; badminton, organized by Malaysia; golf, organized jointly by Myanmar and Brunei; and volleyball, organized by Brunei.

The Philippines is represented by Ambassador Brillantes in the AOC, while Minister and Consul General Joseph Gerard B. Angeles and Consul Rhenita B. Rodriguez represent the Embassy in the AOC Working Group. END
 

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