ASEAN Ladies Tour Clark

[Seated, L-R]  Ms. Veronica Jimenez; Mme. Bouavone Souksavanh of Lao PDR; ALF President Mme. Siti Sadiah Ahmad Zaidi Adruce of Malaysia; Overall-Chairperson of the ASEAN Ladies Foundation, DFA Ladies Foundation, and International Bazaar Foundation, Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo; Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera of Clark Development Corporation; Deputy Assistant Secretary and DFA Ladies Foundation President Mary Jennifer Dingal; Charge Fadzllyani Annuar of Brunei Darussalam; and Ms. Nora Salazar joined by members of the ALF from the ASEAN Embassies  (DFA-OPCD photo)

CLARK 01 March 2023 – Members of the ASEAN Ladies Foundation, Inc. (ALF) led by Chairperson Mme. Pamela Louise Manalo, visited Clark, Pampanga on 21 February 2023 for a familiarization tour upon the invitation of Atty. Agnes VST Devanadera, President and CEO of Clark Development Corporation (CDC).

In her welcome remarks, Atty. Devanadera emphasized that Clark is for all, noting the different attractions that would cater to different interests.  Ms. Charisse Marie F. Lacson, Investment Promotions Specialist, also gave a presentation on tourist attractions as well as investment opportunities in Clark.    

Mme. Manalo thanked Atty. Devanadera and the CDC team for hosting the activity, and stated that the visit was the perfect opportunity for newly arrived members of the ALF to explore the Philippines. 

“Our gathering today strengthens our bonds of friendship and camaraderie while it creates greater awareness and appreciation for the Philippines,” Mme. Manalo said. 

The daylong program included viewing a documentary on Clark at a 4D theater, a tour of Clark Museum, and a combination of rolling and walking tours to view various facilities and infrastructure such as the Clark International Airport and the New Clark Sacobia Bridge. 

The guests also enjoyed breakfast and lunch from the “Culinary Capital of the Philippines”. There was also an opportunity to support local enterprises, with visits at Deco Central and Hansa Toys, and shopping at Susie’s Cuisine.  The guests were also shown accessories and fashion wear by Pidayit and met with fashion designer Philip Torres. They likewise visited La Rose Noire, a locator in the Clark Freeport Zone, which exports pastry, bakery, and chocolate creations.

Mme. Manalo was joined by Mme. Siti Sadiah Ahmad Zaidi Adruce, President of the ASEAN Ladies Foundation; DFA Deputy Assistant Secretary and DFA Ladies Foundation President Mary Jennifer Dingal; Mme. Bouavone Soiksavanh of Lao PDR; ALF Board members from the Philippines, Ms. Alice Tesoro Guerrero, Ms. Veronica Baluyut-Jimenez, and Ms. Nora Salazar who are also concurrently with the International Bazaar Foundation, Inc.; members of the ALF from the different ASEAN Embassies; and DFA personnel. 

This the first tour of Clark for the ALF. The ALF has previously organized out-of-town trips to Angeles, Pampanga and Laguna to promote greater awareness and appreciation of the host country, the Philippines.  The ALF seeks to promote awareness and understanding of the various history and cultural heritage of ASEAN member countries. END 

Mme. Manalo delivers her remarks at the Clark Visitor Center on 21 February 2023. (DFA-OPCD photo)