ASEAN Ladies Foundation Honors Outgoing Board of Trustees During Appreciation Luncheon
Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo, ALF Chairperson
MANILA 10 March 2025 – The ASEAN Ladies (ALF) Foundation, led by its Chairperson Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo, held an appreciation lunch in honor of the Foundation’s outgoing President, Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh, spouse of the Lao PDR Ambassador, Sonexay Vannaxay, and the 2024 Board of Trustees.
Mme. Manalo thanked Mme.Souksavanh for her steadfast leadership and commitment which paved the way to the successful and smooth implementation of all of the Foundation’s projects for the year.
As Mme. Souksavanh's presidency coincided with the ASEAN chairmanship of Lao PDR, the Foundation served as a perfect opportunity for the Embassy of Lao to promote their culture and heritage. Through the ALF, the members of the ALF had a glimpse of Lao PDR’s fascinating and religious festivities, scrumptious cuisine, and intricate fabrics.
At the luncheon, Mme. Souksavanh officially turned over the presidency to Ms. Nadhirah Binti Mohammad Zanudin, Counsellor at the Embassy of Malaysia. Ms. Zanudin, together with the 2025 ALF Board of Trustees took their oath of office before the DFA Undersecretary for Administration, Hon. Ma. Hellen De La Vega, and witnessed by Lao DPR Ambassador H.E. Sonexay Vannaxay and Malaysian Ambassador Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino.
Ms. Zanudin was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Mme. Manalo as a symbol of support for her ALF presidency. In her remarks, Ms. Zanudin highlighted this year’s ASEAN theme under Malaysia’s Chairmanship- “Inclusivity and Sustainability”. She stated, “Malaysia is dedicated to fostering a people-centered ASEAN, one that prioritizes inclusivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation. These principles align perfectly with the core values of the ASEAN Ladies Foundation. Under Malaysia’s ALF Presidency, we will work to complement Malaysia’s chairmanship by enhancing cross-cultural collaboration, promoting charitable efforts, and expanding opportunities for women to actively contribute to the social and economic development of our region.”
Ms. Zanudin also expressed her commitment, in her new role as ALF President, to continue ALF’s mission of promoting initiatives that advance women's empowerment, education, and social welfare while strengthening our bonds as a united ASEAN community.
The ladies also welcomed a new addition to the honorary members of the Foundation, Mme. Vicky Jose, spouse of the Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Economic and Multilateral Relations, who holds the Vice President position this year. Aside from ALF President Ms. Nadhirah Binti Mohammad Zanudin and ALF Vice President Mme. Vicky Jose, this year’s ALF Board of Trustees is also composed of Press Relations Officer, Ms. Mila Miranda Tarigan of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Corporate Secretary Ms. Nora Salazar, Treasurer Ms. Alice Tesoro Guerrero, and Auditor Ms. Veronica Jimenez. END
Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh, 2024 ALF President
Ms. Nadhirah Binti Mohammad Zanudin
From left to right: DFA Usec. Ma. Hellen De Le Vega, 2024 ALF Pesident Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh, ALF Chairperson Mme. Pamela Louse Manalo, and Lao PDR Ambassador Sonexay Vannaxay
From left to right: Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia in the Philippines, Ms. Nadhirah Binti Mohammad Zanudin, ALF incoming president and Mme. Manalo.
