PCG XIAMEN COMMEMORATES ASEAN’S 47^TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY

• • • • • • • Top left Photo: Xiamen PCG’s ASEAN Exhibit
            • Top right photo: ConGen Julius Caesar A. Flores poses with FilCom members

 The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen commemorated ASEAN’s Foundation Anniversary with various activities. On 15 August 2014, Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores led a short program at the Consulate General’s Bulwagang Bagumbayan (National Heroes Hall) with the opening of a small exhibition on ASEAN highlighting ASEAN’s logo, basic information on ASEAN member-countries and this year’s country-head, Myanmar’s theme “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community” and priorities as Country Chair for 2014.

Also in exhibition were two original paintings of Filipino visual artist Aris C. Bagtas which harped on ASEAN themes on unity, integration and connectivity. ConGen Flores spoke briefly about ASEAN as a regional organization and its forthcoming integration in 2015 as one Community. Of particular interest to OFWs is ASEAN’s economic integration, which would allow greater labor mobility and thus provide more work opportunities for Filipinos specially that ASEAN has already agreed on eight (8) sectors open to all ASEAN workers.

In attendance during the event were officers and members of the Filipinos in Xiamen (FAX), Filipino teachers from the Manila-Xiamen International School (MXIS) led by their President and Founder, Engr. Roman Go, and members of the Filipino Community.

Furthermore, ConGen Flores subsequently led in the singing of the ASEAN Song along with the Consulate General’s officers and staff following the Consulate Generals regular Philippine flag raising ceremony amidst the flown ASEAN flag. END

CG Flores and the Consulate General’s officers and staff pose in front of the ASEAN flag