Friday, August 4, 2017

Tacloban to join ASEAN 50th anniversary celebration

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 3 -- The city government here has lined up various activities in the nationwide simultaneous Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) landmark lantern lighting on Aug. 8.

Mayor Cristina Romualdez said among the activities are ASEAN Quiz Bee, poster and slogan making contest for students, and ASEAN street parade around the main streets. The highlight is the lantern lighting at 7 p.m. at Kanhuraw Hill.

Tacloban City is one of the 50 areas in the country included in the nationwide simultaneous lighting in observance of the ASEAN 50th anniversary. 

“During the program, the flags of the 10 member-states will also be hoisted and will culminate with fireworks display,” Romualdez said.

Aside from Tacloban, Ormoc City and Palo, Leyte will join the 50 sites identified. Ormoc City will announce its activities this week.

Palo town Mayor Remedios Petilla said the lantern lighting activity will be an extension of their town fiesta celebration on Aug. 6. 

They have also lined up interesting activities to include day-time activities to be handled by the Department of Education, peace walk from the town plaza to MacArthur Landing Memorial Park, fireworks display, lantern lighting, and concert at the park.

There will be performances from top winning Pintados-Kasadyaan Festivals of Festival winners - Buraburon Festival of Burauen, Leyte; Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte; and Sanggutan of Barugo, Leyte. 

Meanwhile, cash prizes, certificates and trophies await the winners in the various contests and participants of the parade will be given Best in Costume, Best in Attendance and Jolliest Group awards.

The lantern was designed by artist Arvin Quiwa from Pampanga, the province that is home to giant lanterns. It measures six feet (1.83 meters) in diameter with 80 pieces of incandescent bulbs and is made of fiber glass.

Its design features the national leaf "anahaw", the national flower sampaguita and the traditional Mindanao sailboat vinta and has the flags of the 10 ASEAN members.

It will be mounted in the 50 sites until November 2017.

The ASEAN was formed in 1967, by Indonesia, Malaysia , Philippines, Singapore and Thailand to promote political and economic cooperation and regional stability. Brunei joined in 1984, shortly after its independence from the United Kingdom.

In 1995, Vietnam joined ASEAN as its seventh member. Laos and Burma were admitted into full membership in July 1997 as ASEAN celebrated its 30th anniversary. Cambodia became its tenth member in 1999. 

This year, the ASEAN celebrates its golden anniversary with President Rodrigo Duterte as its chairman. (Vicky C. Arnaiz/PNA)

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