Baguio joins ASEAN 50

The summer capital of the Philippines joined in celebrating the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Tuesday (Aug.8), with a flotilla at the Burnham Lake.
Ten boats paraded at the lake representing each country’s flag and national attire of the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei, Laos PDR, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Guest speaker police chief inspector Kimberly Molitas of the National Capital Region Police Office stressed the importance of accepting and embracing our culture as well as being united in fighting against illegal drugs in order to bring the once peaceful Baguio.
We need to rebuild what we have years back and pass it to the other generation, added Molitas.
City officials headed the symbolic lighting of the ASEAN lantern at the Baguio City hall grounds simultaneous with the other key cities in the country after the performance of the Baguio City National High School Special Program in the Arts.
The city’s ASEAN lantern features the national leaf anahaw, national flower sampaguita and the traditional Mindanao sail boat vinta was hanged in front of City Hall building as a symbol of solidarity with the ASEAN.
The singing of the ASEAN Spirit theme song was led by the Baguio City National High School Special Program in the Arts.
ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam then joined on January 7, 1984; Vietnam on July 28, 1995; Lao PDR and Myanmar on July 23, 1997; and Cambodia on April 30, 1999, making up the ten Member States of ASEAN today.
The theme of this year’s 50th ASEAN celebration, “Partnering for change, engaging the world”, aims to raise the level of awareness of the citizenry on the importance and benefits of the ASEAN community and to promote unity with and among ASEAN member states and their global partners.  Jho Arranz, PIO / ABN

Amianan Balita Ngayon