Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi with members of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and Ambassadors in Jakarta. 

The Philippines, through the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN, participated in Indonesia’s celebration of the 49^th anniversary of the Founding of ASEAN on 6 August 2016 in the historic Kota Tua or Jakarta Old Town.

Indonesian Foreign Minister H.E. Retno L.P. Marsudi led the opening of the photo exhibition dubbed, “ASEAN Community 2015 and Beyond." She noted that the commemorative activities, including putting up of food booths by ASEAN Member States in the venue, mark the first time that ASEAN is celebrating its anniversary since the establishment of the ASEAN Community in December 2015.

As ASEAN nears its 50^th anniversary in 2017, Foreign Minister Marsudi underscored the importance of the ASEAN core values of centrality and unity. She said ASEAN must continue to build peace, promote stability and strengthen solidarity and unity.

The exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics at Kota Tua features photos on ASEAN's journey through the years, including some of its milestones -- the signing of the Bangkok Declaration in 1967 by the ASEAN Founding Fathers, the establishment of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 1976 and the ASEAN Community in 2015.

The Philippines contributed photos to the exhibit, consisting of glimpses of Philippine culture and heritage, and set up a stall of Philippine sweet delicacies, such as Biko, Polvoron and Sago’t Gulaman, which were a hit among the guests. Two Filipino teachers rendered kundimans and popular Filipino and Indonesian songs.

The Philippines will be chairing ASEAN in 2017 during its 50^th anniversary celebration. 

A Jakarta-based Filipino teacher sings Dahil Sa Iyo.