Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso linking hands the ASEAN Way with the Executive Committee of the ASEAN Women’s Circle  led by its President, Ibu Ugi Pramono and Chief Patro, Ibu Yasmin Fachir.

The Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN held the traditional ASEAN Women’s Circle (AWC) contact morning on 11 May  at the chancery of the Philippine Mission with the theme “It’s more fun in the Philippines; it’s more fun in ASEAN.” The fun-filled event which allowed guests to experience why "it's more fun in the Philippines," was attended by about 80 members of the AWC. The guests, led by Madame Yasmin Fachir, AWC Chief Patron and spouse of Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdurrahman Mohammad Fachir and Madame Ugi Pramono, AWC President and spouse of Indonesia’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN Rahmat Pramono, were composed mostly of spouses of Permanent Representatives, bilateral Ambassadors, ASEAN DialoguePartners, lady diplomats and friends and patrons of AWC.

In her Welcome Remarks, Permanent Representative to ASEAN Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso hailed the AWC as the embodiment of what ASEAN should be about-- people-centered and people-driven. She applauded the AWC's objective to bring about a shared appreciation of ASEAN's cultural diversity and the group's focus on social responsibility by sharing the funds of its various activities to help  marginalized sectors in Indonesia, such as orphans, out-of-school youth and children from poor families with medical needs. Ambassador Buensuceso also took the opportunity to greet the AWC on the occasion of  international Mothers' Day and said that the Philippines is a strong advocate in ASEAN of the socio-economic empowerment of women and the enhancement of their role in political processes. 

Ambassador Buensuceso  thanked  Mrs. Doris Novicio, Mrs. Bernadette Aro and Mrs Evita Garcia , spouses of the officers of the Philippine  Mission , as well as the staff, for the excellent preparations made to ensure the success of the event.

For her part Madame Ugi Pramono, expressed her deep appreciation to Ambassador Buensuceso for hosting the said event.  She updated the guests of recent projects undertaken by AWC, including  the ASEAN Education Program, which featured the Philippines and Brunei.  Madame Ugi likewise enjoined AWC members to continue to actively participate in the organization’s fundraising projects and events especially those that are geared towards helping the needy.

 Pinoy Henyo,Pera o Bayong, Filipino food and Fiesta-themed decor explain why "it's more fun in the Philippines."

The AWC is a social organization of women from ASEAN countries and its dialogue partners.  It was founded on August 8, 1975 by Madame Nelly Adam Malik, wife of one of the founding members of ASEAN and former Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik.  

The event showcased popular Filipino games like “Pera o Bayong” and “Pinoy Henyo” to allow the participants to experience why it’s more fun in the Philippines.  Most of the participants said that it was their first time to play such games, which they found to be very entertaining and exciting. Questions to the games were about the Philippines, Indonesia and AWC, which the ladies spiritedly answered.  

ASEAN Ladies do a candid pose beside the "Palamigan" put up by the Philippine Mission to ASEAN

To set the Fiesta ambiance, the Mission was decorated with a “Palamigan” where popular fruit drinks like “buko” and melon juice and “gulaman” were served as welcome drinks; a photo booth where guests posed for souvenir pictures and a floral “arko” representing the flowers of May.  Lunch was a delectable selection of tinolang manok, lumpiang sariwa, ensaladang talong, Bicol express, rellenong bangus, the ubiquitous adobo and halo-halo for dessert. 

The guests appreciatively shared their comments after the event.  Most of them loved the floral decorations and photo booth, the “delicious Filipino food” and the “exciting games.”  “I will remember the jeepney forever,” a Malaysian lady who joined Pinoy Henyo said. The newly posted wife of the Permanment Representative of India expressed delight over “my  first time to taste lovely Filipino food.” The wife of the Thai Ambassador likened the “polvoron”, a take-home gift to the ladies, to a dessert of her childhood and happily said, she will introduce “Pinoy Henyo” to her grandchildren.        

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