3 August 2005 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo announced that the Philippines will celebrate on 8 August 2005 the 38th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the theme “ASEAN Community Building for ASEAN People.”

Secretary Romulo said the celebration will coincide with ASEAN week from 7-13 August 2005, which was declared pursuant to Presidential Proclamation 1008 of 1997.

DFA Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Susan O. Castrence outlined the following activities during the ASEAN week:

• DFA CELEBRATES ASEAN WEEK TO COMMEMORATE 38TH ASEAN FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY ON 8 AUGUSTmember-countries and the ASEAN flag will be raised at the DFA by respective ASEAN Heads of Posts.

 
• ASEAN Exhibits:
• "Growing with Nature" – ASEAN’s Environmental Challenge,” featuring 100 photograph entries to the 2004 ASEAN Photo Competition will run for two weeks at the DFA Lobby.
• ASEAN Kite Tradition will open at the DFA Lobby and run for two weeks, after which the exhibit will be moved to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), Intramuros.
• ASEAN Fighting Poverty, Pollution and Corruption will be displayed at the NCCA.

 
• Morning Reception, a traditional “breaking of bread” among DFA and other government officials, representatives of ASEAN and other Embassies in Manila, and friends of ASEAN.

 
• Radio Program on “The Soul of ASEAN.”  Radio Balintataw of DZRH will hold an ASEAN Special wherein one ASEAN member country will be featured in its program from 8-19 August 2005 aimed at promoting a greater awareness among Filipinos of the cultures of their ASEAN neighbors and to help them appreciate both their commonalities and differences.  The program is aired over DZRH from Mondays to Fridays, 9:00 a.m.  to 9:30 a.m.

 
• Editorial Cartoon Contest – The competition, to be held by the NCCA in coordination with the Department of Education, shall carry the theme “Ten Nations, One Community” and aims to harness the support of print media in promoting ASEAN and instilling a greater sense of ASEAN identity among Filipinos.  The competition is open to all cartoonists and artists, and is divided into the Professional and Non-Professional categories.  The winners will be awarded cash prizes.

 
• ASEAN Day programs in schools.  Schools will be encouraged to hold special programs on ASEAN during the week.

ASEAN was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, by the five original Member countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.  Brunei Darussalam joined on 8 January 1984, Vietnam on 28 July 1995, Laos and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999.  END