ASEAN Philippines 2026

ASEAN Philippines 2026

KORONADAL CITY, SOUTH COTABATO — Holy Trinity College of General Santos City joined higher education institutions from Region XII in celebrating the opening of ASEAN Philippines 2026 on August 4, 2026, at the KCC Marbel Events Center in Koronadal City.

With the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the event marked the beginning of the Region XII ASEAN Month 2026 celebration, which promotes cultural appreciation, creativity, education, collaboration, and stronger relationships among higher education institutions.

HTC was part of Team 9, which represented the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, known as “The Rising Sun of Southeast Asia.” The team was led by Notre Dame of Dadiangas University.

Joining HTC as members of Team 9 were King Solomon Institute, Inc.; Mindanao Polytechnic College; MMG College of General Santos City, Inc.; New Brighton School of the Philippines, Inc.; New Era University–General Santos City Branch; and Southpoint College of Arts and Technology, Inc.

HTC’s delegation was headed by School President Dr. Rey T. Albano and Dr. Marilou E. Albano, Vice President for Academic Affairs. The deans of the different academic departments, faculty members, and staff also attended the expo and supported the school’s participation in the opening activities.

During the ASEAN Booth Expo, Team 9 showcased Timor-Leste’s culture, history, heritage, traditions, and national identity. The exhibit provided participants and visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the country and appreciate its contribution to the diverse cultural landscape of Southeast Asia.

The opening program also featured the ASEAN Culture and Crafts Workshop, where participating institutions demonstrated the creativity, craftsmanship, and traditional practices of the ASEAN countries assigned to their respective teams.

In her welcome message, Dr. Zohrahaydah N. Panawidan, Chief Education Program Specialist, emphasized the importance of nurturing higher education throughout ASEAN. Her message highlighted the role of educational institutions in promoting cultural understanding, regional cooperation, and meaningful connections among students, educators, and academic communities.

Through its participation, HTC demonstrated its commitment to advancing cultural awareness and supporting educational collaboration within the ASEAN community. The activity also allowed the institution to strengthen its partnership with other higher education institutions while encouraging students and educators to appreciate the shared values and diverse identities of Southeast Asian nations.

The event marked the beginning of a month-long series of cultural, academic, and collaborative activities celebrating the unity and diversity of ASEAN.

Mabuhay ang ASEAN!