PH Embassy Leads Celebration of ASEAN 56th Anniversary at Prague

: Published: 16 August 2023

PH Embassy Leads Celebration of ASEAN 56th Anniversary at Prague

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Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez and Ms. Kateřina Sequensová, Director General for Non- European Countries, Economic and Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (center), cut the cake in celebration of ASEAN’s 56th founding anniversary at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague on 08 August 2023. With them are (from left) Malaysian Ambassador Suzilah Binti Mohd Sidek, Thai Ambassador Phasporn Sangasubana, Indonesian Ambassador Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih, Vietnamese Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung, and Myanmarese CDA Mr. Htuann Naung. (photo by Prague PE)

PRAGUE 16 August 2023 - Philippine Ambassador to Czech Republic and ASEAN Committee in Prague Chair Eduardo Martin R. Meñez led the celebration of the 56th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), at a diplomatic reception at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague, Czech Republic on 08 August 2023.

“It is the ASEAN Committee in Prague’s shared objective, through joint activities such as today, to broaden and deepen the general public’s knowledge and understanding of ASEAN. We have several events lined up, all designed to expose the various sectors of Czech society to issues that will bring us together for a better future,” said Ambassador Meñez.

The Ambassador cited the significance of ASEAN to its citizens and to the world, its centrality in the region, and its projected growth.

Ms. Katerina Sequensova, Director General for Non-European Countries, Economic and Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, remarked that the Czech Republic is “well aware that ASEAN includes some of the fastest growing economies in the world, . . . and that is why trade and economic relations are traditionally the major pillars of the Czech Republic’s cooperation with most of the ASEAN countries.”

Following the initial part of the reception’s program, ambassadors and diplomats of ACP Embassies modeled their traditional dresses at a fashion show, directed by Philippine fashion designer Marcos Ferdinand Omaga, to introduce the exhibit “Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN'' to about 200 guests.

Dr. Helena Koenigsmarkova, Director of the Museum of Decorative Arts, joined the ACP Ambassadors and Ms. Sequensova, in cutting the ribbon to open the two-week exhibition (or up to 21 August 2023), held in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. END.

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Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez (center), together with guests of honor Ms. Kateřina Sequensová, Director General for Non-European Countries, Economic and Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (4th from left) and Dr. Helena Koenigsmarkova, Director of the Museum of Decorative Arts (3rd from right), cuts the ribbon to open the exhibit “Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN” at the Museum of Decorative Arts on 08 August 2023. Also cutting the ribbon (from left): Myanmarese CDA Mr. Htuann Naung, Thai Ambassador Phasporn Sangasubana, Malaysian Ambassador Suzilah Binti Mohd Sidek, Indonesian Ambassador Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih, and Vietnamese Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung. (photo from Prague PE)

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Senator Pavel Fischer, Chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security ( Center) with (from left) Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez, Indonesian Ambassador Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih, Malaysian Ambassador Suzilah Binti Mohd Sidek, Thai Ambassador Phasporn Sangasubana, Vietnamese Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung, and Myanmarese CDA Htuann Naung at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague on 08 August 2023. (photo from Prague PE)

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Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez, Chair of the ACP, delivers his welcome remarks at the diplomatic reception to celebrate the 56th Founding Anniversary of the ASEAN and to launch the exhibit entitled “Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN” at the Museum of Decorative Arts on 08 August 2023. (photo from Prague PE)

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Guest of Honor Director General for Non-European countries, Economic and Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Kateřina Sequensová delivers her remarks at the diplomatic reception to celebrate the 56th founding anniversary of the ASEAN and to launch the exhibit entitled “Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of ASEAN” at the Museum of Decorative Arts on 08 August 2023. (photo from Prague PE)

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Philippine Minister and Consul General Indhira C. Bañares and Vietnamese Third Secretary Long Nguyen Hoang quiz the guests on how well they know the ASEAN prior to the start of the fashion show at the Museum of Decorative Arts on 08 August 2023. (photo from Prague PE)

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Indonesian Ambassador Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih and First Secretary Mr. Muhammad Tiefryan Fahlensyah model the Buginese/Makasarese traditional attire. Bugis-Makassar ethnic groups are two of the four ethnic groups residing in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. (photo from Prague PE)

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Counsellor Farashima Aini Mohd Ali and Mr. Michal Teinitzer model the Ngepan Iban and sunong (sheep- skin vest) and sirat (loin cloth) of an Orang Ulu from Sarawak, Malaysia.

(photo from Prague PE)

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Counsellor Mr. Sai Kaung Htet and Madam Su Myat Nandar Aung model the tradiional attire of Shan people, one of the eight ethnic major groups in Myanmar. (photo from Prague PE)

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Philippine Ambassador Eduardo Martin R. Meñez and Madam Marissa Meñez model the Barong Tagalog in Piña fabric and the terno. (photo from Prague PE)

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Ms. Thanawan Kasee, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand in Prague and Counsellor Ms. Wanlaya Wattanasopon model the adaptation of Thai modern dresses in silk and cotton fabrics. (photo from Prague PE)

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