Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU), through its College of Arts and Sciences — Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Program — hosted the 2nd ASEAN Youth Connect on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, themed “Weaving the ASEAN Tapestry: From Shared Stories to Sustainable Futures.”
The summit brought together students and youth representatives from 59 colleges and universities spanning all 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), making it one of the most expansive youth-led academic gatherings the region’s students have organized under a Philippine host institution.
The event was conducted in a hybrid format, held simultaneously at the Function Hall, 3rd Floor, Green Building, CHMSU Talisay (Main) Campus, and broadcast via Zoom and Facebook Live through the CHMSU Official Facebook Page.
CIER / Keith Brandon Cari-an photos
The 2nd ASEAN Youth Connect was presented by first-year Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (BASS) students of CHMSU — specifically Sections B and C — as the culminating requirement of their course in Asian Studies (ASISTU) under CIER Director Rhoderick Samonte.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Center for Internationalization and External Relations (CIER), reflecting CHMSU’s ongoing commitment to internationalization and the cultivation of globally aware, socially responsible graduates. To accommodate the diverse time zones of participating nations, staggered connection times were arranged.
Also present in the activity were the faculty members of the College of Arts and Sciences led by BA Social Science Program Chairperson Robert Pardillo.
The affair started with an interfaith invocation followed by the singing of the national anthems of the member-states and the ASEAN anthem. It was followed by an introduction of the participants and messages from Director Samonte and Program Chair Pardillo.
CIER, and BASS 1B & 1C photos
During the summit, the BASS students shared the journey they had taken in learning about the cultures of neighboring Southeast Asian countries through the lens of the new friends they had connected with online through the “Story Recall via Vlog.”
They also shared the challenges they encountered in connecting with people from various countries, including limitations in access to digital technology, language barriers, availability across time zones, and concerns around online security — with some overseas contacts hesitant to engage with the BASS students due to the prevalence of online scams.
BASS 1B & 1C, and CIER / Ethan Suelto & Vinice Abancio photos
The participants also shared their commitment as youth in the region in the “Charting the Way” segment. On the economy, they pledged support for local entrepreneurship and innovation, and committed to preparing themselves as a skilled workforce ready to compete and collaborate within the ASEAN Economic Community.
On human rights and peace, they committed to fostering mutual respect and understanding across the region’s diverse cultures and beliefs, using dialogue and cross-cultural exchange to break down prejudice and promote tolerance.
On climate action, sustainability, and environmental conservation, they pledged to adopt sustainable practices in their own communities and campuses, and to push for greater youth involvement in climate resilience and green development efforts.
The BASS students also rendered a dance performance of “Cariñosa” while a recorded video of the “Adai-adai” dance from Brunei Darussalam was shared by the participants by the participants in the group.
BASS 1B & 1C, and CIER / Ethan Suelto & Vinice Abancio photos
The participating youth came from these Higher Education Institutions in the region. The representatives from Brunei Darussalam were from the Institute of Brunei Technical Education, Laksamana College of Business, Politeknik Brunei, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali, and Universiti Teknologi Brunei, while the Kingdom of Cambodia was represented by students from the American University of Phnom Penh, Build Bright University, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Royal University of Phnom Penh, and Svay Rieng University.
Delegates from Indonesia are studying in Brawijaya University, Gunadarma University, GusDur University, Institut Ibi Kesatuan, Sekolah Tinggi Agama Islam Raudhatul Ulum Arrahmaniyah Sampang, State Polytechnic of Malang, Sumbawa University of Technology, Syiah Kuala University, Universitas Indonesia, University of Catholic Parahyangan, and University of Mataram. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic, meanwhile, was represented by youth enrolled at the National University of Laos and Savannakhet University.
From Malaysia came students of Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Negara, International Islamic University Malaysia, Multimedia University, The Northern University of Malaysia, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia, and Universiti Teknologi Mara. Joining them from the Republic of the Union of Myanmar were delegates from Mawlamyine University, Myanmar Imperial University, Myanmar Mercantile Marine College, University of Medical Technology (Mandalay), World of English and Business Skills International Yangon, and Yangon University.
Host institution Carlos Hilado Memorial State University represented the Republic of the Philippines, anchoring the summit on home ground. The Republic of Singapore’s delegation drew from Nanyang Technological University, Republic Polytechnic of Singapore, Singapore Institute of Management, and Singapore Management University, while the Kingdom of Thailand was represented by youth from Chulalongkorn University, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, and Mahidol University Kanchanaburi Campus.
Rounding out the roster, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste were represented by students from the Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) and Universidade Nacional Timor-Lorosa’e (UNTL). The Socialist Republic of Vietnam’s delegation were from Bac Lieu University, British University Vietnam, CMC University, Ho Chi Minh City International University – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, National Economics University, Saigon University, The School of Medicine and Pharmacy – The University of Danang, University of Economics and Law – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, University of Social Sciences and Humanities – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, Van Lang University, Vietnam National University, and Vietnam Japan University.
