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Manila Bulletin devider Embassies at Work devider PH marks ASEAN chairship with sculpture unveiling in Jakarta

PH marks ASEAN chairship with sculpture unveiling in Jakarta

Published May 4, 2026 12:48 pm
ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn and DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro shake hands at the unveiling of a commerative sculpture donated by the Philippine government to the ASEAN Secretariat.
ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn and DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro shake hands at the unveiling of a commerative sculpture donated by the Philippine government to the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Philippines marked a symbolic moment in its upcoming ASEAN chairship with the unveiling and formal turnover of a commemorative sculpture at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on April 22.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, in her capacity as Chair of ASEAN 2026, led the ceremony, presenting the work as part of the country’s contributions to the regional bloc during its chairmanship year.
Titled “Vitality,” the sculpture was created by renowned Filipino artist Impy Pilapil and reflects the Philippines’ chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together.”
Crafted from Romblon marble alongside steel and glass, the piece draws from the shared seas that connect ASEAN member states. The composition reflects movement and continuity, with materials chosen to evoke both permanence and change.
For Pilapil, the work is intended as a tribute to ASEAN’s enduring ties—one that speaks to unity, growth, and shared aspirations across a region shaped by diversity.
In her remarks, Lazaro said the sculpture expresses the Philippines’ vision for its chairship, while capturing the breadth of ASEAN’s cultural identities from multiple perspectives.
”Vitality” by Impy Pilapil
”Vitality” by Impy Pilapil
She added that the piece serves as a reminder of the principles that continue to define the organization: cooperation, shared values, and a collective commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity.
Following the unveiling, Lazaro met with ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn, where discussions touched on preparations for the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, as well as ongoing regional initiatives.
The sculpture will form part of the permanent installation at the ASEAN Gallery within the Secretariat, positioning it as both a cultural contribution and a marker of the Philippines’ role in shaping ASEAN’s next phase.
Lazaro was in Jakarta for the 8th Philippine–Indonesia Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, with the visit to the ASEAN Secretariat integrated into her official engagements.
Set against a year of leadership for the Philippines within ASEAN, the installation places culture alongside policy—offering a physical representation of how the country intends to frame its chairship on the regional stage.

Related Tags

ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn Department of Foreign Affairs DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro
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