CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The vibrant tapestry of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) cultures took center stage as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-10, in collaboration with higher education institutions (HEIs) across northern Mindanao, marked ASEAN's 56th founding anniversary with a spectacular cultural showcase, August 25, Capitol University Gymnasium.

This year, the celebration's theme, "ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth," recognizes member states' remarkable efforts and achievements in strengthening resilience and ensuring an enduring recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Philippines, August is declared ASEAN Month by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 282, Series of 2017.

"The theme highlights its vision for ASEAN as a beacon of peace and stability in the region. The commission's celebration will highlight ideas on how ASEAN's efforts, as a unified regional block, encourage progress in the realization of ASEAN's priorities," said CHED Executive Director for International Affairs and Staff Lawyer Lily Freida Macabangan-Milla.

CHED-10 and higher education institutions in the region show their commitment to promote ASEAN awareness with a showcase of the member states cultures, including dances and food. This is part of the promotion of ASEAN awareness and fosters camaraderie and appreciation among students in the region.

CHED-10 Regional Director Dr. Freddie T. Bernal says that the ASEAN celebration is an annual event held in various provinces and cities in northern Mindanao to promote "increasing ASEAN awareness, raising initiatives, responsiveness, network building, and strengthening collaboration among our stakeholders."

The celebration also highlights the growth and expansion of the collective wealth of knowledge, experiences, and expertise in the field of internationalization.

"To bring ASEAN closer to our stakeholders, CHED-10 organized activities that will bring together our distinguished and collective values, beliefs, and aspirations as one ASEAN community. Strengthen our purposive goals of leading the spirit of bayanihan (working together) amidst the challenges that the world faces," Bernal said.

A tapestry of culture

The ASEAN Commemorative Cultural Showcase gathers 107 HEIs from northern Mindanao. Ten schools, through their culture and arts groups, performed cultural dances originating from ASEAN countries.

Cultural dances from Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Philippines, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia are performed by Lourdes College, Golden Heritage Polytechnic College, STI College, Xavier University, Pilgrim Christian College, the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP), Cagayan de Oro College-PHINMA, Southern de Oro Philippines College, and Capitol University, respectively.

Liceo de Cagayan University performed the Robam Kuos Traloak (Coconut Dance), a traditional dance in Cambodia. Cambodians dance after a long day's work on the farms and during important events such as marriages or the Khmer New Year. They also believe that coconuts are a sign of youth and fertility; it reminds them of the importance of such an essential crop in their daily lives.

CHED Executive Director Milla said, "Institutions of learning such as universities play a key role in promoting strong recovery, resilience, and sustainable development during challenging periods. ASEAN recognizes this."

She added that celebrating ASEAN's founding anniversary is not just an annual target to achieve; it is CHED's contribution to raising awareness in the sector, nurturing the ASEAN spirit, and strengthening the ASEAN identity.

ASEAN food

To understand the ASEAN traditions behind the food we eat and why we eat them is to gain a deeper appreciation of the role food plays in helping us relate to our cultural identities and uniqueness.

"People have always loved food. Food is considered an element of culture because it is a tangible and visible element that can be associated with a cultural group or region," Bernal said.

CHED-10 brings Southeast Asian cuisine closer to northern Mindanao with an ASEAN food display dubbed "At the Heart of the Malay Archipelago: Satay and Nasi Showcase."

Of Indonesian and Malaysian origin, satay [sah-tey] is a dish concocted using marinated, skewered, barbecued bite-sized pieces of meat, usually served with a peanut-flavored dipping sauce, while nasi means cooked rice, usually steamed.

Participating schools showcase satay and nasi preparations from various ASEAN countries, delighting attendees' palates.

Cagayan de Oro College-PHINMA Education prepared dishes from Vietnam, including a colorful display of fruits, mini burgers, and Nasi Goreng, an Asian fried rice unique for its aromatic caramelized sweet soy sauce and shrimp paste.

STI College prepared Malaysia's national dish, Malay Nasi Lemak, which consists of fragrant rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaf, and Chicken Satay.

Lourdes College represented Brunei, while Tagoloan Community College (TCC) represented Malaysia. TCC's menu includes Nasi Lemak, Chicken Satay, Otak-Otak, Kuih Kosui, Pulut Inti, Bandung, and Popoiah with Asian tropical fruits.

Ludger Hope Taruc Saldivar, dean of hospitality management at the Tagoloan Community College in Misamis Oriental, said, "As faculty, the ASEAN event holds significance and a valuable opportunity for our hospitality management program. Part of our curriculum is Asian cuisine, which we are able to showcase the ability of the faculty in terms of instructions, and of course it is an added exposure and great opportunity for our students."

Liceo de Cagayan University, for their part, intricately presented Cambodian dishes with fruits on display: Lok-Lak (pepper beef), Trei Kroeung (fish cakes), and the Cha Kroeung Sach Moan (Cambodian Lemongrass Chicken Stir-Fry)—all using the Khmer Kroeung, a marinade and spice paste usually made from various spices such as turmeric, ginger, shallots, onions, lemon grass, and others ground using a traditional pestle and mortar.

Coleen Jean Arquion, a senior Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management student at Liceo de Cagayan University, said it was challenging to set up the Cambodian dishes as it was their team's first time to join an ASEAN event.

Their team had to research and study Cambodian dishes and eventually chose to prepare simple dishes, particularly chicken, fish, pork, and beef.

Apart from the food preparation, Arquion said, "As a student, I feel honored and grateful for the opportunity nga naka-join and experience og ingon ani nga event. Forever nako ni i-cherish nga memory [that I was able to join and experience this event. I will cherish this memory forever]."

She also realized how diverse the cultures are and how beautiful and rich the ASEAN countries are, and she hopes to travel to all ASEAN countries someday and "try all their cuisines."

Dr. Miriam B. Fuentes, CHED-10 chief education program specialist, said the ASEAN commemorative showcase reminds everyone that the journey brought people and cultures together.

"We have witnessed the beauty of our cultural tapestry, the power of collaboration, and the potential that lies within us; let us go forth and make ASEAN's legacy a beacon of hope for generations to come," Fuentes said. (SAYU/PIA-10)