Mindanao State University (MSU) Main Campus formally inaugurated its 2025 ASEAN Month celebration with a ceremony emphasizing “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” aligning with the priorities of Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN chairmanship. The opening ceremony, held today, August 5, 2025, served as a significant demonstration of MSU’s commitment to regional collaboration and its role in fostering peace and mutual understanding within the ASEAN community.
The proceedings began with a formal invocation led by Aleem Shanolla Rasuman, a King Faisal Center for Islamic, Arabic, and Asian Studies (KFCIAAS) faculty member, offering prayers for regional peace and unity. This set the tone for the day’s events, which continued with the ceremonial entry of colors by MSU ROTC Cadet Officers, the raising of flags, and the rendering of national anthems, including the Bangsamoro Hymn and the MSU Hymn.
In his opening remarks, Professor Saddam Solaiman, Chairperson of the International Relations Department at the KFCIAAS, highlighted ASEAN’s crucial role in promoting regional peace, cultural enrichment, and economic progress. He emphasized MSU’s unique position as a center of learning and multicultural harmony, reflecting the core values of inclusive and sustainable development envisioned by ASEAN.
A pivotal moment was the inspirational address and formal declaration of the opening of MSU’s 2025 ASEAN Month celebration by MSU System President, Atty. Paisalin P.D. Tago, CPA. President Tago’s speech provided a historical contextualization of ASEAN’s formation, tracing its origins to the 1963 Maphilindo agreement—a proposed confederation between Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia aimed at uniting the Malay people—which he considered a precursor to both ASEAN and the Bangsamoro struggle. He also referenced the 1967 Bangkok Declaration, which established ASEAN to promote regional cooperation and foster peace and stability in Southeast Asia. President Tago stated, “This year’s ASEAN theme focusing on inclusivity and sustainability resonates strongly with our vision as a national peace university. It reminds us that our future, like the future of our neighbors, is built on collaboration, understanding, and a commitment to sustainable growth that leaves no one behind.”
He further urged the MSU community, stating, “We must equip our young people, our future leaders, to think beyond themselves, to collaborate and be models of inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability. As we open this ASEAN month, I invite each of you to support the activities ahead. These are more than just events; they are steps toward achieving globally competent and socially responsible individuals—the ultimate characteristics of an MSU graduate. In the spirit of unity and collaboration, and with pride in our aim to be a national peace university bridging cultures and communities, let us actively observe and participate in this ASEAN Month celebration.”
The ceremony continued with the ceremonial hoisting of the flags of ASEAN member states and the singing of the ASEAN Hymn by the MSU Student Marshals, led by University Marshal Prof. Rogarciano C. Guinggue III, symbolizing regional unity and shared objectives. Subsequently, Prof. Melba M. Angni, MSc, Director of the International Affairs and Linkages Office, delivered a comprehensive overview of ASEAN, providing crucial context for MSU’s involvement. Her presentation likely detailed ASEAN’s vision, goals, and foundational principles, its current priorities (such as inclusivity and sustainability), and the specific ways in which MSU contributes to the ASEAN community. Her address connected broader ASEAN goals with MSU’s specific initiatives and participation in regional projects, collaborations, and research efforts, likely including information on MSU’s ongoing and future collaborations with other ASEAN institutions, highlighting the university’s active role in the regional landscape.
The event concluded with the singing of the ASEAN Unity Song and the execution of the ASEAN Handshake, officially commencing MSU’s ASEAN Month activities. Mr. Art Marvin M. Aranas, MPMM, a faculty member of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy, served as Master of Ceremonies.
The opening ceremony showcased MSU’s dedication to fostering a comprehensive understanding and appreciation of ASEAN within its academic community. The event served as the catalyst for a month-long series of activities designed to promote regional cooperation, cultural exchange, and sustainable development initiatives. MSU’s robust participation in ASEAN Month 2025 underscores its commitment to serving as a leading institution in promoting peace, inclusivity, and sustainable progress within the Southeast Asian region.
