04 October 2014 - The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen commemorated ASEAN’s 47th Anniversary with various activities last August.
On August 15, Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores led a short program at the Consulate General’s Bulwagang Bagumbayan (National Heroes Hall) with the opening of a small exhibition highlighting ASEAN’s logo, background on ASEAN member countries, the theme of Myanmar’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year, “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community,” and Myanmar’s priorities as ASEAN Chair for 2014.
Also in exhibition were two original paintings of Filipino visual artist Aris C. Bagtas which harped on ASEAN themes on unity, integration and connectivity. Consul General Flores spoke briefly about ASEAN as a regional organization and its forthcoming integration in 2015 as one Community. Of particular interest to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) is ASEAN’s economic integration, which would allow greater labor mobility and thus provide more work opportunities for Filipinos.
In attendance during the event were officers and members of the Filipinos in Xiamen (FAX), Filipino teachers from the Manila-Xiamen International School (MXIS), led by their President and Founder Engr. Roman Go, and other members of the Filipino community.
Consul General Flores also led in the singing of the ASEAN Song along with the Consulate General’s officers and staff following the Consulate General’s regular Philippine flag-raising ceremony. END