Opening Ceremony for the Celebration of the 57th Founding Anniversary of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations
On August 27, 2024, the Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Engagement (OSPGE) inaugurated the celebration of the 57th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with an opening ceremony at the Francisco Balagtas Auditorium. The event commenced with a formal welcome from Engr. Anthony Hilmer S. Medrano, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, setting the tone for the festivities.
The ceremony continued with a vibrant cultural presentation by students from Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna’s Tourism Management (TM) and Hospitality Management (HM) programs. The performance showcased the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines, providing a colorful and passionate start to the celebration.
Following the cultural presentation, Ms. Pearl Stephanie D. Ulep, OSPGE Director, announced the calendar of activities for ASEAN Month. These activities are designed to highlight ASEAN’s ongoing commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- ASEAN Lecture Series: A series of lectures featuring esteemed speakers who will discuss topics aligned with the SDGs.
- Global Goals in Motion: A video competition open to students of Mapúa MCL, encouraging them to showcase creativity in videography and cinematography while highlighting initiatives that contribute to the SDGs.
- September 14, 2024: Fellowship Game between Mapúa MCL alumni, supporting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
- September 17, 2024: Blood Donation Drive at the ETY Lobby, in partnership with the Mapua-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training (CMET) and The Medical City – South Luzon, also supporting SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
- September 19, 2024: Career Fair in partnership with PESO Laguna, supporting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
- October 5, 2024: SamaKatutubo: Hearts and Minds for the Aetas – A community engagement initiative benefiting the Aeta communities in Porac, Pampanga, in support of SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
The keynote address was delivered by Engr. Rolando V. Bitor, Assistant Vice President of the Institute for Global Sustainability and AI Integration Office at Mapúa MCL. In his impassioned speech, Engr. Bitor reflected on ASEAN’s history, its vision for sustainable development, and how Mapúa MCL’s initiatives align with this vision. He
highlighted the institution’s efforts in sustainable development projects, digital transformation, and resilience-building programs, all of which mirror ASEAN’s goals. Engr. Bitor expressed his hope that the entire community, including students and faculty, would actively participate in advancing these shared aspirations.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina, who extended an invitation to everyone to join the various activities planned for the ASEAN Month. His words echoed the event’s overall theme of unity and collaboration toward a sustainable and prosperous future for the ASEAN community.