SHANGHAI, 16 July 2023 – Close to 200 diplomats, staff and family members of the Consulates General of ASEAN Member States gathered for a day of fun fellowship in the first-ever ASEAN Family Day held in Shanghai.
Conceived, organized, and hosted by the Philippine Consulate General, the ASEAN consular missions bonded over shared Southeast Asian cuisine, sports and games, and talent showcases at the sprawling grounds of Philippine speaker systems manufacturer Dai-ichi Electronics Shanghai Co. Ltd. in Jiading District.
Consul General (CG) Josel F. Ignacio led the 30-member Philippine country team which both helmed and took part in the carefully curated program.
The summer heat did little to quell the “ASEAN Way” of bonding and collective recreation. Hearty and energetic participation were displayed by the consular missions of Indonesia led by CG Deny W. Kurnia, Lao PDR led by CG Bouaphat Poutthavong, Malaysia led by CG Syed Farizal Aminy Syed Mohamad, Singapore led by CG Chua Teng Hoe, Thailand led by newly arrived CG Prinat Apirat, and Viet Nam led by CG Nguyen The Tung.
Of eight ASEAN missions in Shanghai, only the mission of Cambodia was unable to attend due to urgent commitments.
Lending their support and participation were the Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) and Jiading District FAO represented by Deputy Director Chen Yong Liang and Section Chief Sheng Xiao Wei, respectively.
A ceremonial opening set the program into motion. Loud cheers erupted as flag-waving delegations paraded to music from their respective countries. Keynoting the occasion, CG Ignacio described the occasion as in keeping with “our ASEAN Community’s vision to achieve not only integration, peace, stability and shared prosperity, but also togetherness and common identity”.
The morning program included a guided tour of Dai-ichi’s manufacturing facility and a test of its speaker lines supplied to famous brand names globally, with Dai-ichi Electronics General Manager Lee Mie Yee leading the group.
At the Dai-ichi grounds, meanwhile, shrieks of delight filled the morning air as children and adults alike enjoyed parlor games prepared by the Philippine Consulate General.
Delegations partook thereafter of a lunch buffet featuring a rich spread of dishes and flavors contributed by the participating Missions.
The afternoon saw participants display their athletic prowess in friendly volleyball, table tennis, basketball and badminton matches. Simultaneously, a cooking demonstration took place. The Philippines led a step-by-step preparation of “Pulboron” (Philippine shortbread), while Thailand whipped up fruit salad with fish sauce-lime dressing.
Capping a fun-filled day was a dance competition around the globally popular “Ting Ting Tang” dance craze – itself of Southeast Asian, specifically Vietnamese, provenance. Each Consulate General wowed with their inventive choreographies, with the Thais adjudged winner.
Prizes, medals and trophies were awarded to all winners in the Closing Ceremony. A token of appreciation was presented by Consul General Ignacio to Dai-ichi Electronics, on behalf of all missions present. END
Photo credits:
Roland Adriano/WeChat: roland9312
Nilo K. Palaya
Josel F. Ignacio
