By Ma. Nemia C. Carcellar / August 08, 2023
Catbalogan City – Samar State University (SSU) held a launching program for the 2023 ASEAN Celebration on August 7, 2023, at the SSU 3rd Floor Convention Center, with the theme “ASEAN MATTERS: Epicentrum of Growth”. The event was livestreamed via the SSU Facebook page and was spearheaded by the Office of International Affairs, headed by Dr. Elmer A. Irene and the Coordinator of International Student Exchange, Prof. Pedro S. Cabrales.
The launching program was attended by the University President, Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso, college deans, faculty, and staff, as well as the university’s students and international alumni. It began with a presentation of the ASEAN member countries, followed by a welcome speech by Karen Mae A. Gabejan, an international student alumna and SSU former delegate to Dong Thap University in Cao Lanh, Vietnam. Gabejan stressed the importance of ASEAN and its role in promoting peace, stability, and unity.
The introduction to the ASEAN Celebration was given by Christ A. Palmiano, an SSU international alumnus and former delegate from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember in Surabaya, Indonesia. Palmiano discussed the brief history of ASEAN and shared his experiences during his trip to Indonesia. “We had the opportunity to explore the richness of Indonesian values, especially Javanese culture. The program offered the chance to learn about Indonesian arts, cultures, and tourism, including traditional dances and music, batik making, practicing Bahasa Indonesia, and experiencing tourist attractions in the city of Surabaya”, he added.
The University President also gave a special message, highlighting the importance of ASEAN for SSU, the community, and beyond. She expressed her enthusiasm for SSU’s internationalization efforts through its IZN Initiatives and Strategic Plan through Project BISIG, which lives up to its mantra of “We Innovate. We Build. We Serve.”
The event was concluded with a photo opportunity and a performance by the 2023 SUC FAIR performers. The launching of the 2023 ASEAN Celebration was a successful event that helped to promote awareness of ASEAN and its importance for SSU and the Philippines.
