MCC celebrated the 54th Founding Anniversary of ASEAN. The message of this year’s anniversary highlights Brunei Darussalam’s (ASEAN Chair 2021) theme, ‘’We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper.’’
ASEAN Dignitaries and CHED Officials graced the ASEAN Night Celebration.
The celebration featured different cultural presentations that demonstrate the underlying shared identity of Southeast Asian countries. It highlighted "Ning-Ning ng Bituin", inspired by the tourism and fiestas of Visayas, and Maranao dances that include, "Sambi sa Malong", "Asik", which portrays an unmarried young woman and "Singkil", which retells an episode from the Maranao Epic Darangen. It also featured "Kulay ng Asya", inspired by the beauty of barrio life in Luzon.
The Deputy Executive Director and Director of International Affairs Staff Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla expressed her warm gratitude to the organizers of MCC for making the event possible.
Further, Dr. Maria Teresita Macanas Semana, CESO IV, OIC Director of CHEDRO-3 commended the success of the Cultural Night Celebration at MCC.
One of the event's guest speakers, Hon. Noel Eugene Eusebio M. Servigon, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN, congratulated MCC for joining the Philippines' mission in promoting ASEAN diversity.
"This cultural celebration is a relevant program that promotes connectivity. It is a great internationalization effort of MCC headed by the College President Dr. Michelle-Aguilar Ong. ASEAN believes that arts bind people, culture forms connections, and Arts and Culture bring people together", Dr. Semana added.
Meanwhile, His Excellency Vasin Ruangprateesaeng Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Philippines, expressed his delight for the prosperous celebration of ASEAN that highlights the strength and resilience of its people amidst the pandemic. He further hopes that every community will continue to build a strong relationship with other nations for the coming years.
His Excellency Songkane Luangmuninthone Ambassador of Lao People's Democratic Republic to the Philippines said that "ASEAN has become resilient in the regional organization with the aim of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, and cooperation for the prosperity of the ASEAN member states".
"I would like to extend my best wishes to all of the faculty members and students of Mabalacat City College as well as the people of the ASEAN community who promote the cultures", he added.
In her closing remarks, the College President Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong said that "The celebration of the 54th Founding Anniversary of ASEAN has showcased the uniqueness and diversity of our cultures. We are indeed one strong region, with a richness of flavor to offer."
"I would like to express my gratitude to the excellencies of the ASEAN Dignitaries and CHED Officials as well as the organizing committee for the unending support in making this event possible", Dr. Ong added.
#KulturaPH #InstaKultura #ASEAN
