SMU Marks ASEAN Month 2025 with Parade of ASEAN Icons, Cuisine Showcase, and Debate
Saint Mary’s University (SMU) joined the nationwide observance of ASEAN Month 2025 with the theme “Buwan ng ASEAN: Sama-sama sa Pag-unlad” at the Sacred Heart Center on Aug. 26, 2025. The celebration brought together students, administrators, faculty, and staff in a festive program highlighting the ASEAN community’s shared identity, cultural diversity, and collective aspirations.
The festivities opened with the Parade of ASEAN Personalities at the SMU Oval. Students, dressed as renowned figures from the ten ASEAN countries, proudly marched around the campus, signifying unity in diversity and the collaborative spirit that ASEAN embodies.
University President Dr. John Octavious S. Palina delivered his welcome message, underscoring the significance of ASEAN Month in fostering cultural awareness and highlighting SMU’s internationalization efforts. It was followed by a brief on ASEAN Month and SMU’s contributions to fostering ASEAN awareness in solidarity with the Commission on Higher Education, by Dr. Clara M. Gonzales, head of the Internationalization Office. She shared SMU’s engagements with ASEAN countries through partnership signing and cross-border mobility for academics, research, and community development. To deepen the audience’s appreciation of the activities, Dr. Kenneth Maslang, department head of Social Sciences and Philosophy, set the context with his talk about the significance of the Parade of ASEAN Icons, emphasizing the contributions of influential figures across the region.
The program’s highlight was the Famous ASEAN Personalities and Costume Showcase presentation, where GHistory and GRizal students creatively portrayed iconic leaders and cultural figures, bringing ASEAN’s diversity to life through colorful costumes and impressive performances.
Bracelet Mueca, who portrayed Cik Siti Wan Kembang of Malaysia, emerged as the Best Personality Performer. Taking second place was Nathalia Untalan as Reisa Kartikasari of Indonesia, while Jaypee Nariz Ofalsa, representing Sang Nila Utama of Singapore, secured third place. Their portrayals captivated the judges and audience, showcasing creativity, artistry, and a deep appreciation of ASEAN culture and identity. Adding an intellectual twist, the ASEAN Trivia tested students’ knowledge of ASEAN’s history, culture, and milestones, further engaging the Marian community in the celebration.
Dr. Moises Alexander Asuncion, Vice President for Academic Affairs, gave the closing message, sharing some anecdotes about his experiences in global mobility activities. The event concluded with a simple ASEAN Cuisine Sharing, where the participants enjoyed ASEAN delicacies, such as karipap (Malaysia), mei fun (Singapore), nasi goreng (Indonesia), thum mak hoong (Laos), khao niao (Thailand), htoe mont (Myanmar), goi cuon (Vietnam), jek jieng (Cambodia), apam balik (Brunei), and pansit (Philippines).
In the afternoon, a debate on ASEAN issues occurred, where Contemporary World students exchanged ideas on several presented motions. Avril Christine B.Rombaoa, Vince Marlou P. Pastor, and Lowell Jae R. Ramos from the School of Teacher Education and Humanities emerged as the overall winners, who argued on the motion that ASEAN should resist China’s belt and road cultural influence as a threat to regional identity. The winners in the parade of icons and debate received cash prizes, tokens and certificates.
This year’s ASEAN Month Celebration was organized by the Internationalization Office, in partnership with the Social Sciences and Philosophy Department of the School of Teacher Education and Humanities.
Through its ASEAN Month celebration, Saint Mary’s University again reaffirmed its role in advancing internationalization, intercultural understanding, and global citizenship.
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Written by: The Internationalization Office
