As part of its commitment to internationalization, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University celebrated the 57th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Day through a flag raising ceremony and fellowship night, August 8, 2024.
“This ASEAN Day is reminder of our shared history as Southeast Asian people,” said Vice President for Research and Extension Andrew Eusebio Tan.
VP Tan added that the ASEAN Day celebration and festivities at CHMSU is an opporutnitiy for students to learn more about our neighbors as well as appreciate their culture, customs, and traditions.
The student leaders participating in the 6th RIPPLES Training Camp, DSWD Cash-for-Work Program workers, faculty, and staff showcased the traditional clothing of the ASEAN member-states.
The festivities began with a flag raising ceremony in the afternoon led by host country, Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
Afterwhich the delegates representing the 10 ASEAN countries–Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, together with observer Timor Leste–paraded to the CHMSU Talisay Gymnasium for the ASEAN Fellowship and RIPLLES Training Camp Solidarity Night.
The event commenced with a warm “Fone Nang Keo” performance from the host country, Lao PDR.
Director for Student Affairs and Services Maria Victoria Violanda welcomed the delegates and guests to the fellowship.
Director Violanda underscored the importance of celebrating the ASEAN cultures to the formation of student leaders.
She added that the creativity of the participating students shows their creativity and respect in replicating the traditional clothing of the ASEAN member-states.
The participants shared a bountiful dinner of famous Southeast Asian dishes including pad thai fro Thailand, goi cuon from Vietnam, beef rendang from Indonesia, turon from the Philippines, and Hainanese chicken rice from Singapore to name a few.
The delegates from each country also showcased traditional and modern cultural performances along with a fashion show of the best dressed representatives.
During the awarding ceremony, the group from Indonesia earned the title of “Best Dressed” in the Group Category.
Individual accolades were also given to Bhea Gwyneth Amador representing Brunei, was honored as the “Best Dressed Female,” and John Mark Manayaga representing Philippines, stood out as the “Best Dressed Male.”
