“Cultural Threads Woven Identities: Clothing Traditions of the ASEAN Exhibit”

Mabalacat City College, as a local college, recognizes the significance of conducting programs and activities that would educate students, faculty and administration, and the community on the shared history and cultures shared by the Philippines with other ASEAN countries. The ASEAN Month Celebration is intended to "promote and heighten the awareness of ASEAN" and its role in achieving and maintaining regional peace and sustainable development. In line with this, Mabalacat City College through the support of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), launched a cultural exhibit on August 9, 2021.

NCCA's mobile exhibit on "Women Identities" featured the traditional clothing of the Southeast Asian Nations. Traditional costumes and national dresses showcased the skillfulness, aesthetics, and culture of the ASEAN. 

MCC's Immigration officers welcomed the employees together with the passports issued in the visitation of countries. The opening program boasted the Barrio Fiesta, Lapay Bantigue, and Tinikling performed by the MCC Cultural Dance Group, and featured the Baro't Saya and the Barong Tagalog that shows diverse, rich, and vivid Filipino Culture.

Further, employees also witnessed the ASEAN story reflected through the woven dresses traditional and vibrant garments from Cambodia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, and Vietnam, Philippines, Myanmar and Indonesia.