The Berlin ASEAN Committee with guests of honor Dr. Thomas Gambke of the German Parliament (fourth from right, back) and Ms. Sabine Sparwasser (fourth from right, front)
In commemoration of the foundation anniversary of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 8 August 1967, the Berlin ASEAN Committee (BAC) hosted the 49th ASEAN Day Reception at the Singapore Embassy on 8 September 2016.
H.E. Daw Yin Yin Myint, Ambassador of Myanmar and current Chair of the BAC addressed a crowd of 300 guests and provided an overview on ASEAN and the opportunities for German businesses with the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), a major milestone in the regional economic integration agenda of ASEAN.
Cultural Attaché Mylah Rubio and Jose Mari Rubio sang “The ASEAN Way,” the regional grouping´s anthem, which expresses unity and strengthened sense of an ASEAN identity and belongingness among the peoples of the region.
Dr. Thomas Gambke, Chairman of the ASEAN Parliamentary Group in the Bundestag and Ms. Sabine Sparwasser, Director-General for Political Affairs (Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Near and Middle East) from the German Federal Foreign Office were in attendance and delivered their respective remarks as Guests of Honor.
While congratulating the ASEAN BAC, Dr. Gambke said that recent world political developments could be looked at as a challenge and Brexit was one. He also noted the value of consensus among ASEAN. As an MP for the Green Party, he highlighted the importance of German-ASEAN cooperation in the fields of Electro Mobility (E-mobility) and renewable energy.
Consul Rona Beth Goce (fifth from left) with colleagues from the BAC Technical Working Group.
In her remarks, Ms. Sparwasser said, “We in Germany believe in multilateralism, we believe in a rules-based system of international cooperation, we believe in regionalism. We are believers in ASEAN.” Ms. Sparwasser also said that the EU Foreign Ministers have tasked Germany with taking the EU-ASEAN partnership to a higher level – a strategic partnership with a focus on trade, non-traditional security threats and on connectivity. She ended her speech with a toast for a continued European- ASEAN friendship.
Guests got to taste Ukoy (Crispy Squash Fritters), Lumpiang Sariwa (Fresh Springroll), Kuchinta (Steamed Rice Cake topped with coconut shavings), Buko Pandan (shaved young coconut with Pandan-flavored gelatin and tapioca in sweet milk)
Attendees were offered a variety of ASEAN cuisines from the ten Embassies and presented with traditional dances from Thailand (Serng Kratip Khoa), Indonesia (Renggong Manis), Myanmar (Ta Bin Taing) and Malaysia (Samazau).
Ambassador Melita Sta. Maria-Thomeczek (third from right, front) and Second Secretary and Consul Rona Beth Goce (leftmost) with the German Arnis Association (DAV) headed by its chairman, Tino Heidner (second from right)
The Philippine Embassy meanwhile organized a demonstration of Modern Arnis, the Philippine National Martial Art and Sport, by the Berlin-based members of the German Arnis Association or the Deutsche Arnis Verband (DAV). Arnis, also known as Kali or Eskrima, is originally known as Arnis de Mano or “harness of the hand.” DAV is the largest Arnis association in Germany with over 6,000 members across the country.
The DAV demonstrating Filipino Martial Arts, Modern Arnis.
Business leaders, members of parliament and government officials were also offered Filipino mango rum and calamansi liqueur during the reception along with Filipino dishes. The Philippine Embassy is the incoming ASEAN BAC Chair and will hold the position for the first six months of 2017. END
Officers and Staff of the Philippine Embassy Berlin clad intraditional Filipiniana attire
