ASEAN Ladies Foundation Holds 1st General Assembly in 2024, Inducts New Officials 

   DFALF Nomination of Trustees (DFA-OPD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)

PASAY 28 February 2024 – The ASEAN Ladies Foundation, Inc. (ALF) convened its General Assembly and Oath Taking ceremony on 20 February 2024 at the Carlos P. Romulo Library, Department of Foreign Affairs. Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo administered the oath to the 2024 ALF Officers, in the presence of ASEAN Ambassadors and their lady spouses. 

The assembly was divided into three parts. Initially, six (6) members of the 2024 ALF Board of Trustees were nominated and elected. This board comprises three (3) officers from the ASEAN Embassies in the Philippines and three (3) ALF Filipino honorary members.

Following the election, Secretary Manalo officiated the oath-taking ceremony for the newly-elected trustees. The ALF President for 2024, Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh of Lao PDR, along with ALF Vice President, Mrs. Eng Sovannchita of Cambodia, and ALF Press Relations Officer, Ms. Malathi D/O Maratheyah of Singapore Embassy, were among those sworn in. The Filipino honorary officers include Ms. Nora C. Salazar as Corporate Secretary, Ms. Alice Guerrero as Treasurer, and Ms. Veronica Jimenez as Auditor. Madame Pamela Louise Manalo, ALF Chairperson, and Lao PDR Ambassador His Excellency Sonexay Vannaxay, spouse of Madame Souksavanh, acted as witnesses during the oath-taking ceremony.

The second part of the event featured the Turnover Ceremony of the ALF Presidency, marked by remarks from outgoing President Mme. Ranny Widjojo of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia. Mme. Widjojo expressed her gratitude for her tenure, citing the ALF's consistent promotion of unity, respect, and social awareness. As a token of appreciation, she presented a gift to ALF Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo on behalf of the ladies of the Indonesian Embassy.

Mme. Souksavanh, as the new ALF President, conveyed her appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to serve this year. She emphasized that “The honor of serving as President of the ALF is not mine alone but also of the Embassy of Lao PDR and our country.” She also expressed her commitment to working closely with the ALF Board of Trustees and members in order to achieve the goals and activities of the Foundation during her term.    

ALF Chairperson Pamela Louise Manalo reflected on the growth of the ALF since its establishment in 1996. She observed that “the Foundation has evolved into a dynamic organization. Today, it serves as a bridge fostering meaningful exchanges and connections among people across the ASEAN region. It also provides a unique platform for our members to showcase and promote the distinctive cultures of the ASEAN member states.”

She lauded Mme. Widjojo's leadership and expressed the Secretariat's backing of Mme. Souksavanh's initiatives.

Mme. Manalo also outlined ALF's proposed activities for 2024, including visits to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Laguna, and the Philippine National Museum. She highlighted events to be hosted by the Lao Embassy showcasing Lao PDR culture and heritage.

The ceremony concluded with an appreciation ceremony for outgoing ALF President Mme. Ranny Widjojo, who was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Secretary Enrique Manalo and ALF Chairperson Pamela Manalo. END

From left to right:  Hon. Enrique Manalo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh, Ms. Eng Sovannchita, Ms. Nora Salar, Ms. Alice Guerrero, Ms. Veronica Jimenez and Ms. Malathi D/O Maratheyah (DFA-OPD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)

From left to right: Malathi D/O Maratheyah, Eng Sovannchita, Amb. of Lao PDR, H.E. Sonexay Vannaxay, Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh, Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo, Hon. Enrique Manalo, Ms. Nora Salazar, Ms. AliceGuerrero, and Ms. Veronica Jimenez (DFA-OPD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)

Left Photo: Mme. Manalo was presented with a token of appreciation by Mme. Widjojo Right Photo: Mme. Manalo presented Mme. Souksavanh with flowers as a sign of support (Photo by DFA-OPD, Maria Vanessa Ubac)

Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo delivers her remarks. (DFA-OPD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)

SFA Enrique Manalo and Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo, ASEAN Ambassadors with their respective wives, and the ALF Board of Trustees (DFA-OPD photo by Maria Vanessa Ubac)