The Berlin ASEAN Committee (BAC) with guests of honor Ambassador Ina Lepel, Director-General for Asia and the Pacific of the Federal Foreign Office (fourth from left) and Ms. Renate Künast, Member of the German Bundestag and Chair of the German – ASEAN Parliamentary Friendship Group (sixth from left).
25 October 2018, Berlin – The Berlin ASEAN Committee (BAC) hosted the 51st ASEAN Day Reception at the Malaysian Embassy on October 25 in celebration of the founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 8, 1967.
Vietnamese Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung, the current BAC Chair, welcomed some 300 guests composed of business leaders, members of parliament, other German government officials, and diplomats. Ms. Renate Künast, Member of the German Bundestag and Chair of the German-ASEAN Parliamentary Friendship Group, and Ambassador Ina Lepel, Federal Foreign Office Director-General for Asia and the Pacific of the Federal were in attendance as Guests of Honor.
In her remarks, Ambassador Lepel underscored the strong ASEAN-European Union partnership, referring to the two regional groupings as natural partners that adhere to multilateralism and a rules-based global order. She also expressed hope for the conclusion of more free trade agreements between ASEAN Member States and the EU.
The event started with the singing of the regional grouping’s anthem, “The ASEAN Way” by Philippine Cultural Attaché Mylah Rubio. The song expresses unity and strengthened sense of an ASEAN identity and belongingness among the peoples of the region.
The Philippine Embassy presented musical numbers from Ms. Gian Marla Gloria (right) and Ms. Pinky Marquez (left), Filipino cast members of “Marco Polo – When You Find Your True Love, A New Musical” which will run at the Admiralspalast-Studio from October 31 to November 4, 2018.
(L) Officers and Staff of the Philippine Embassy Berlin led by Charge d´Affaires, a.i. Lillibeth V. Pono (fourth from left) clad in their traditional Filipiniana attire; (R) Ripe Philippine Mangoes (Diamond brand), which quickly became a favorite among guests, is now available at Metro and select Edeka supermarkets.
Guests enjoyed a variety of dishes and desserts from all ten ASEAN countries, including ripe Philippine mangoes, lumpia, and chicken adobo. They were also entertained by performances from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and special song numbers from the Filipino cast members of “Marco Polo-When You Find Your True Love.” END
