20 August 2015 – Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario led the celebration of the 48th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 19 in a commemorative Reception at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo Lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of government agencies, other stakeholders of ASEAN and the media attended the event.
The celebration commenced with a parade of the ASEAN flag and the flags of the 10 ASEAN Member States followed by the singing of the ASEAN Hymn and the ASEAN anthem.
The official program followed, beginning with the remarks by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and followed with cultural performances by the Ballet Philippines, Bayang Barrios, Ms. Emmanuelle Veneracion Adda, the Centro Escolar Univesity Dance Troupe, the DFA Choral, and the Angklung Ensemble of the DFA.
The event concluded with Secretary Del Rosario, along with all Ambassadors from ASEAN Member States, pouring water from their respective bamboo cups onto Bitaog (Palo Maria) saplings. This symbolic act, which was done in lieu of the traditional cake-cutting ceremony, conveyed the imagery of an ASEAN region bound together ("bungkos") and sharing a treasure trove ("yaman") of terrestrial and marine biodiversity.
The theme for the Reception was "Bungkos Yaman," which revolved around the importance of the environment and also in recognition of the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, the only ASEAN center of excellence hosted by the Philippines. Prior to the Reception, the exhibit "A Sea Story," organized by the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity, was opened at the CCP Little Theater Lobby. The exhibit will be open to the public until August 22.
The Reception was part of a series of activities in commemoration of the 48th founding anniversary of ASEAN. On August 10, government agencies across the country held a simultaneous flag-raising ceremony for the ASEAN flag. On August 18, Miriam College hosted the first ASEAN Model Conference, with 70 students from 10 Philippine universities participating in the three-day event. Also on the same day, the Philippine Postal Corporation hosted the launching of the special issue ASEAN Community Commemorative Stamp and the opening of the exhibit on ASEAN stamps at the SM Aura, Taguig.
From September to November, the Department of Foreign Affairs will also be conducting a Schools Visit Program to raise awareness on ASEAN as the regional organization prepares to declare its integration into one community at the end of this year. An ASEAN Film Showing led by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is also slated to be held in the same period in designated theaters in Metro Manila, Baguio, Davao, Zamboanga, and Iloilo. Other institutions, organizations and schools are also expected to have their own ASEAN Day commemorative activities. END