30 August 2013 – The ASEAN flag fluttered in the slight morning breeze over the Philippine Embassy in Ankara as the strains of ASEAN anthem carried in the stillness of a Turkish summer’s day.
As Chair of the ASEAN Ankara Committee (AAC), the Philippine Embassy led the commemoration on August 29 of the 46th anniversary of ASEAN’s foundation with a flag-raising ceremony and a 
breakfast reception which featured the traditional cutting of an ASEAN birthday cake.
Deputy Undersecretary Mehmet Fatih Ceylan of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs joined the heads of six ASEAN diplomatic missions in Turkey in a photo opportunity that symbolized ASEAN solidarity. Minister Senen T. Mangalile, Charge d’ Affaires (CDA) of the Philippines, Ambassador Nahari Agustini of Indonesia, Ambassador Dato Saipul Anwar Abd. Muin of Malaysia, Ambassador Nguyen The Cuong of Vietnam, Ms. Lorling Lee, Charge d’ Affaires of Singapore, and Mr. Samphong Kangthong, Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy, representing Thai Ambassador Rathakit Manathat linked arms with Ambassador Ceylan at the end of the flag-raising ceremony.
In his opening remarks before all officers and staff of the six AAC embassies, CDA Mangalile cited ASEAN’s immense contribution to the security and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. Paying homage to the accomplishments of the Founding Fathers and those who worked for the ASEAN in the past, CDA Mangalile invited everyone to turn their gaze towards the future by enhancing awareness of ASEAN in Turkey while following ASEAN’s move into a single Community by 2015.
A sumptuous breakfast featuring traditional Filipino fares of sinangag, bistek, afritada and pancit, complemented by traditional dishes contributed by all AAC members, capped the occasion. Audio-visual presentations about ASEAN and a special music video entitled “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” were shown throughout the breakfast reception. END
