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Manila Bulletin devider Drive devider Diplomacy when it's all fun and games

Diplomacy when it's all fun and games

Published Sep 3, 2022 06:00 pm

Traditional games from participating nations took to the spotlight at this year’s ASEAN Family Day

TEAMBUILDING The ASEAN family at the Royal Thai Embassy in Prague, the Czech Republic

Family Day, an annual event that aims to forge unity in diversity among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members by highlighting the importance of the family as a cornerstone of society, was held at the Royal Thai Embassy in Prague, Czech Republic on Aug. 19, Friday.

At the core of this year’s celebration was the reintroduction of long-established games, instrumental to a better understanding of common but differentiated games played by generations after another. These time-honored recreational activities were the kalamansi relay of the Philippines, pindahkan sarungya of Indonesia, lari ikat kaki of Malaysia, walking with bamboo tray of Myanmar, snatching baby snakes of Thailand, and Nem Lon of Vietnam.

Instead of the usual national teams, mixed groups were formed assembling players from different embassies and of varied ages and genders.

TEAM PHILIPPINES UPS THEIR GAME Lina Catbagan (leftmost) moves the sarong, while Sandra Lipio (second from left) and Anicka Catbagan (second from right) wait their turn

For the opening ceremony, 200 bikers participated in a Friendship Cycling activity that tackled the route from the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to its new building.

These time-honored games are the kalamansi relay of the Philippines, pindahkan sarungya of Indonesia, lari ikat kaki of Malaysia, walking with bamboo tray of Myanmar, snatching baby snakes of Thailand, and Nem Lon of Vietnam.

On top of sports and games, the ladies of the Indonesian embassy did a special art performance, playing three beautiful songs using the enchanting Angklung instrument.

PASSING GAME Players in queue waiting for the Philippine lime to be passed to them in the kalamansi relay

The Philippine embassy in the Czech Republic chargé d’affaires Indhira C. Bañares joined the heads of mission in stressing the significance of togetherness for the ASEAN family, whether at play or work, in strengthening its cooperation in and relations with the Czech Republic.

Indonesian Ambassador Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih, also the chairperson of the ASEAN Committee in Prague (ACP), took the chance to express her gratitude toward the ACP and working group for their cooperation and support in ensuring the successful commemoration of the 55th founding anniversary of the political and economic union held at her official residence on Aug. 9. Also coinciding with the two affairs was the 27th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to the consortium.

FAMILY TALK The Philippine Embassy in the Czech Republic chargé d’affaires Indhira C. Bañares (second from left) delivers her brief remarks at the opening program

This was the first time the association carried out physical events after two years of online celebrations due to the pandemic. Family Day 2022 was co-organized by the ASEAN Women’s Circle of Hanoi (AWCH) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Praguepe.dfa.gov.ph

Photos from Prague PE

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