Skip to playerSkip to main content
Manila Bulletin
The International Media Center for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit has formally opened at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, on Friday, Nov. 13.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Sec. Lino Cayetano, together with Department of Tourism (DOT) Sec. Ditta Angara-Mathay, Hellen Dela Vega, Dir. General ASEAN 2026 National Organizing Committee and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officials led the opening of the media center, which will serve as the home base for local and foreign journalists covering the ASEAN Summit. (Video courtesy of ASEAN Philippines 2026)

#ASEA2026PH #ASEAN #ASEANSummit

Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5664f6TkaeHgwBly50DWZQ/join

Subscribe to the Manila Bulletin Online channel! - https://www.youtube.com/TheManilaBulletin

Visit our website at http://mb.com.ph
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manilabulletin
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/manila_bulletin
Instagram: https://instagram.com/manilabulletin
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manilabulletin

#ManilaBulletinOnline
#ManilaBulletin
#LatestNews

Category

🗞
News
Transcript
00:00How are you guys doing today? You guys doing good? Yes, I'm pretty sure you guys
00:05are excited for this opening. Good morning!
00:08Good morning to all of you. That is Tagalog for good morning for our visitors from abroad.
00:16Of course, you guys knew that already. But to our friends from the local and foreign media,
00:23welcome to the International Media Center for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
00:29Round of applause for the organizing team and for this massive hub.
00:35Which I'm pretty sure, you know, that's what you guys first thought of when you first got here.
00:40It is huge, you know, a lot to explore. Later on, I'll give you guys a rundown on what to
00:46expect
00:46when you guys are roaming around. But I also know that you guys have traveled far just to get here.
00:53Some of you flew in last night, maybe earlier this morning, drove through the Manila traffic.
01:01So for that, we thank you for joining us here and we're glad that you guys are here.
01:07So, for the next few days, and you know this already, this is gonna be your home base.
01:13That's right. This is where the story of the summit gets written, filed, and gets sent out to the world.
01:20And trust me, you guys are gonna want to look around. As I mentioned earlier, it is huge.
01:26Because this place has more than desks and wifi. I mean, on this side, just to give you guys a
01:33quick sneak peek.
01:34On my right, you guys can get a free hilot or a massage. Imagine that. For the next few days,
01:42you guys get a free massage after a long day.
01:45On the other side here, this is another something that you guys can look forward to.
01:52You don't need to travel all over the Philippines just to try Philippine coffee from the different regions here.
01:59So, more on that later. So, to our friends here, coffee in hand, phones ready, cameras rolling. Ladies and gentlemen,
02:07let's get started.
02:08To officially open the International Media Center, please welcome the Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, Secretary Lino Cayetano.
02:28Dito na lang po, para hindi masyado formal.
02:31There will be, we have special guests who will speak after me.
02:36Magandang magandang umaga po sa inyong lahat.
02:38In behalf of our president and the Philippine government, we'd like to welcome you in the International Media Center.
02:45Sa mga kababayan ko, mga kasama nating mga journalists, lahat po tayo ngayong araw na to, ngayong linggong to, ay
02:53mga hosts.
02:55To our friends from around ASEAN and around the world, this place was built for you.
03:02This place was built so you can do your jobs, do it well, do it comfortably.
03:08But what we also did here was to provide a window into our beautiful country.
03:15So when you have a few minutes, when you're not working, you have a short break.
03:21We invite you to see our beautiful places through our boots, to see our beautiful products, our industries, but also
03:30to get a chance to get to know our most special and beautiful asset, the Filipino people.
03:37To my brothers, let's show our visit, let's share our challenges.
03:48Let's build bridges together so that we can understand deeper the opportunities of working together in ASEAN.
03:55Thank you very much for your visit, to our guests, both Filipino and foreign journalists, all of us here at
04:06the PCO and in government are here to serve, to help you do your jobs.
04:11Together, let's explain why our leaders are sitting across each other in the table.
04:18And all of us wish, pray, and hope that the challenges we all face, together, we will find solutions for
04:28the future, and more importantly, for our people.
04:32Thank you very much, Secretary Lino Cayetano, and just like that, it is official.
04:46The International Media Center is now open!
04:50Round of applause please! You guys can roam around later on for that.
04:55Sec, thank you so much for that. Welcome!
04:58You know, we got a lot of guests from here and abroad, so we only want to welcome you guys
05:05in the most Filipino way.
05:07And nobody says welcome quite like this.
05:10Are you guys ready for a quick intermission, a quick performance?
05:14Yes! Alright, we all are.
05:16Here to bring the energy of our islands to the floor.
05:19Please give it up for the Lacandula High School dance troupe with a medley of Philippine folk dances.
05:26Round of applause please!нал
05:41R important can help in the unchurchased. Round
05:45of applause please! Round
05:48of applause please! Round
05:50of hurricanes please! Round
05:55Patrick's ladies & rusher! Round
05:55of man please! Round
06:27Saan nandako, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao?
06:31Dinig mo ay sadyang kahanga-hanga
06:34Awit mo ay sa lamig ng iyong buhay
06:38Aawitin ang buong bansa
06:41Ang galing mo kapatid kailanman
06:45Kung bansa ngayon ay kakantay
06:49Talan na kata na Pilipinas
06:52Ipakita na ang galing ng Pilipino
06:57Talan na kata na Pilipinas
07:00Oh, oh, oh, talan na kata na Pilipinas
07:07Ipagbalahig, Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
07:10Sadyang lahat ay iyong pinapahanga
07:14Makikinig sa kwento ng iyong buhay
07:17At saksi ang buong bansa
07:20Ang galing mo kapatid kailanman
07:25Kung bansa ngayon ay kakantay
07:28Talan na kata na Pilipinas
07:32Ipakita na ang galing ng Pilipino
07:36Talan na kata na Pilipinas
07:40Oh, oh, talan na kata na Pilipinas
07:45Di naman talaga maitatanggig
07:48Kailan mo Pilipino kapatid
07:49Tinig mo ay laging mananatig
07:51Sa'ng mamang pindas
07:52Sa'ng sulok ng daibit
07:53Bumibirit, bumibirit
07:54Tinig mong malupet
07:55Bumihirit, bumihirit
07:56Sige pa, betaget
07:57Bumibirit, bumibirit
07:58Ah, ah, kay lupet
07:58Bumihirit, bumihirit
07:59Oh, yeah, I bet
08:00Lutang na lutang
08:02Ang galing ng Pinas
08:04Dito ka na
08:06Tara na kata na
08:07Ang galing mo kapatid kailanman
08:11Kung bansa ngayon ay kakantay
08:16Kakantay
08:17Talan na kata na Pilipinas
08:21Ipakita na ang galing ng Pilipino
08:25Talan na kata na Pilipinas
08:28Oh, oh, ta-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
08:35-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
08:42-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
08:48-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
08:52-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
08:54-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
08:58Filipinas, cantana, Filipinas.
09:29Alright, let's hear it one more time for the Lacandula High School Dance Troupe.
09:35Wow, you know, what a performance for us this morning.
09:38That is exactly the way we want to open Summit Week, right?
09:43So now, behind every meeting, every hall, and every welcome this week is a team that has been working very
09:52hard toward this moment all year.
09:54To deliver a message of support, please welcome Director General Helen De La Vega of the ASEAN 2026 National Organizing
10:03Council.
10:24Our dear guests here, guests of our foreign media, local media, our partners,
10:32most especially the distinguished members of the Committee on Media Affairs and Strategic Communications, or CMAS,
10:39led by the Presidential Communications Office and its esteemed member agencies.
10:45Our partners, stakeholders, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant morning to all of you.
10:50I want to start by congratulating our colleagues from CMAS for making this happen.
10:57You have done an excellent job in executing one of your Mondays under Administrative Order No. 17, Series of 2024,
11:07which directs you to provide world-class facilities for the media.
11:14And world-class it truly is.
11:18Over the course of the Philippines-ASEAN Chairship this 2026, we have seen previous international media centers,
11:27and for each iteration, CMAS has raised the bar.
11:32Time and again, these facilities have been delivered with precision, professionalism,
11:38and a deep understanding of what journalists need to do their work effectively.
11:45Today is no different.
11:47In fact, I would argue that this iteration is something special because we are covering the 49th ASEAN Summit and
11:56Related Summits,
11:57which is one of the most significant gatherings in our chairship calendar.
12:03The stakes are higher, the attention is greater,
12:07and frankly, the media covering the stories deserve facilities that match that importance.
12:14Having said that, I hope that our media partners will make the most of what the International Media Center has
12:21to offer,
12:22including its workspace, the technology, the connectivity, the support services,
12:29and the amenities you will find around you.
12:38Whether you are filing a breaking story at midnight or preparing for a live broadcast at dawn,
12:46you can be assured that you will have what you need for your coverage.
12:52The International Media Center is a vital instrument in the Philippines' ASEAN chairship.
12:58Through your work here, the conversations happening in summit halls will reach millions of people in living rooms,
13:07newsrooms, and even decision-making chambers across the globe.
13:11And our media partners are, in essence, the translators of regional cooperation into human terms,
13:22making the abstract concrete and the diplomatic personal.
13:27This center is our way of ensuring that the media partners have the tools
13:34to tell stories accurately, quickly, and effectively.
13:40And speaking of stories, we are writing one together right now.
13:47The story of how the Philippines hosted the 49th Summit and related summits,
13:53and more broadly, our ASEAN 2026 chairship.
13:58This is a story woven from countless threads,
14:02such as diplomatic breakthroughs and milestones,
14:07cultural exchanges, and economic partnerships,
14:12challenges confronted, and opportunities seized, to name a few.
14:17The subjects and points of view may vary,
14:22but one thing is constant.
14:24It is a story that belongs not to any single nation,
14:29but to our region, where we belong.
14:34And it is a story that I hope will be told, preserved,
14:38and remembered through words, images, and insights you craft within these walls.
14:44And to all the Filipinos, the Filipinos watching here today,
14:51ilang araw na lang po ay Advent season na.
14:55Ilang araw na lang po ay Pasko na.
15:00Ang pinakamaganda pong handog na mabibigay natin sa ating inang bayan
15:05is to show sama-sama tayo together,
15:08to show to the world, to the region,
15:11what a Filipino is,
15:14what we are capable of.
15:17I cannot overemphasize the significance
15:19of the International Media Center
15:21in our ASEAN chairship ecosystem,
15:24but with your indulgence,
15:26allow me to put it simply in this manner.
15:29Whatever will be documented here
15:31will become a historical record
15:34and a reference point for future generations
15:37seeking to understand this moment in our ASEAN journey.
15:42For the CMS and the media personnel and organizations,
15:46this is both a deep responsibility
15:48and an extraordinary privilege.
15:52With that, allow me again to congratulate CMS
15:55and wish all of you the best in the next few days.
15:58May this International Media Center serve you well.
16:02May the stories told from this place
16:04contribute to a deeper understanding
16:06of our shared aspirations
16:08as an ASEAN
16:10and as global community.
16:12Thank you very much.
16:13Maraming salamat po.
16:20Thank you very much, DG Helen,
16:22for that message.
16:24We have an eventful summit ahead
16:27and also an exciting week of coverage
16:30for our friends from the media, for sure.
16:34Now, speaking of,
16:35you guys came over here to cover the summit, right?
16:38Especially to our friends from abroad.
16:40But while you guys are here with us,
16:43we want you to experience the country hosting it too.
16:47And to tell you guys how,
16:49please welcome the Secretary of Tourism
16:52and also serving as the Vice Chair
16:54for Operations of the ASEAN 2026
16:58National Organizing Council.
16:59We have Secretary Dita Angara Matay.
17:13Secretary Lino Cayetano,
17:16Presidential Communications Office,
17:18Director General Helen de la Vega,
17:22our partners from government
17:24and the private sector,
17:26friends from the media,
17:28ladies and gentlemen,
17:29good morning and mabuhay.
17:32It is my pleasure to welcome you
17:35to the formal opening
17:36of the International Media Center
17:39as the Philippines
17:40host the 49th ASEAN Summit
17:43and related meetings.
17:45May dalawang malinaw na bilin
17:48sa amin ang mahal na Pangulo
17:50sa paghahanda
17:51at pag-host
17:53ng ASEAN Summit.
17:55First,
17:56we must help ASEAN
17:58achieve substantive agreements
18:01and practical responses
18:03to the challenges confronting our region
18:06from peace and security
18:08to energy and food security,
18:12economic resilience,
18:13and digital transformation.
18:17Hindi lamang po tayo nagtitipon
18:19para mag-usap.
18:20We are here
18:21to strengthen cooperation
18:23and find common ground
18:25on issues
18:26that affect our countries.
18:28Second,
18:31the President wants us
18:32to use this opportunity
18:34to showcase the Philippines,
18:36our culture,
18:38heritage,
18:39destination,
18:40products,
18:41and the hospitality
18:42of our people.
18:44For the Department of Tourism,
18:46this means
18:47making the Philippines
18:49experience
18:50part of the summit itself.
18:52And we have brought
18:54that approach
18:56here
18:56to the International
18:57Media Center.
18:59Let me briefly
19:01take you through
19:01what we have prepared.
19:03We have
19:05our 3C
19:06beverage booth.
19:08When people
19:09think about 3C,
19:10they normally
19:11refer to
19:13telecommunications
19:14and semiconductors,
19:15but this is
19:16the softer 3C,
19:17which means
19:19coffee,
19:20cacao,
19:20and coconut.
19:21The Philippines
19:23is among
19:24the very few
19:25countries
19:26that commercially
19:27produce
19:28all coffee
19:29species,
19:30Arabica,
19:31Robusta,
19:32Liberica,
19:33and Excelsior.
19:34Our Liberica,
19:36locally known
19:37as Capeng Baraco,
19:38has particularly
19:39potential
19:40as a specialty
19:41product.
19:43Our cacao
19:44is equally
19:45noteworthy.
19:46The Vau's
19:47Malagos chocolate,
19:48for example,
19:49has received
19:5056
19:51international
19:52awards.
19:53And our
19:54coconut,
19:55known as
19:56the tree
19:56of life,
19:57goes into
19:58a wide range
19:59of products,
20:00from coconut
20:01water to
20:02milk to
20:02virgin coconut
20:03oil.
20:04These products
20:05represent the
20:06work of our
20:07farmers,
20:09producers,
20:09and entrepreneurs.
20:11We also have
20:12included
20:13HILOT in our
20:14Philippine health
20:15and wellness
20:16hub.
20:16This traditional
20:17Filipino healing
20:18practice is
20:20part of our
20:20heritage and
20:21reflects the
20:22country's
20:23potential in
20:24the growing
20:24wellness tourism
20:26market.
20:27Food is
20:28another part of
20:29our presentation.
20:30We are
20:31showcasing the
20:32cuisines of
20:33Luzon,
20:34Visayas,
20:34and Binanao
20:35through two
20:36Michelin-recognized
20:37culinary talents,
20:39Chef
20:40Miggy Moreno,
20:41a two-time
20:42Bid Gourmand
20:43awardee,
20:43and Chef
20:44Francis
20:45Laxon,
20:46recipient of
20:47the Michelin
20:47Young Chief
20:48award.
20:50With the
20:50arrival of the
20:51Michelin guide
20:52in the
20:52Philippines,
20:53we have an
20:54opportunity to
20:55bring greater
20:56international
20:56attention to
20:58our chefs,
20:59regional
20:59ingredients,
21:01restaurants,
21:01and culinary
21:02traditions,
21:03and to the
21:03farmers and
21:04food producers
21:05behind them.
21:07To the DTI-supported
21:09Philippine
21:10micro and
21:11small-medium
21:11enterprise hub,
21:12local businesses
21:14can also
21:15present their
21:15products to
21:16international
21:17visitors and
21:18potential buyers.
21:19We invite all
21:21of you to
21:21visit our
21:22Philippine
21:23post office
21:24kiosk,
21:25where you can
21:25purchase ASEAN
21:27Summit commemorative
21:28postcards and
21:29stamps.
21:29It is a simple
21:30way to share a
21:32Philippine memento
21:33with friends and
21:34family back home.
21:36Our destinations
21:37are represented
21:38here through a
21:39recreation of our
21:40white sand
21:41beaches,
21:43and marine
21:45environment.
21:46The Philippines
21:47has been
21:47recognized as
21:48Asia's leading
21:49dive destination
21:50for eight
21:51consecutive years,
21:53and Asia's
21:54leading destination
21:55nine times at
21:57the World Trade
21:58Awards.
21:58These recognitions
22:00are a source of
22:01pride, but they
22:03also remind us of
22:04our responsibility
22:05to protect these
22:07natural assets
22:08and ensure
22:09communities benefit
22:10from tourism.
22:12Our most recent
22:13recognitions extend
22:15beyond beaches and
22:16diving.
22:17The Philippines was
22:18named Destination of
22:20the Year,
22:22Tripsilla Excellence
22:23Award, and
22:24recognized as a
22:25leading retirement
22:27destination.
22:28These reflect the
22:30country's appeal to
22:31travelers interested in
22:33adventure, culture,
22:35wellness, and longer
22:36stays.
22:36Our ASEAN hosting
22:39also generates
22:40economic opportunities.
22:41The International
22:42Media Center is
22:44itself a MICE
22:45undertaking.
22:47Meetings, incentives,
22:48conferences, and
22:49exhibitions,
22:50supporting hotels,
22:52transportation
22:53providers,
22:54restaurants,
22:55retailers, and other
22:56tourism businesses.
22:58And the
22:58opportunities extend
23:00beyond Metro
23:01Manila.
23:01Clark is now
23:03hosting the
23:04JCI World
23:05Congress,
23:06bringing together
23:07more than 5,000
23:09young leaders
23:09from around the
23:10world, alongside
23:12the North Luzon
23:13Travel Expo.
23:15These events
23:16bring visitors
23:17and business
23:17to other parts
23:19of the country.
23:19We also want
23:21Filipinos to share
23:22in this historic
23:23occasion.
23:24In line with the
23:25President's direction,
23:26we have prepared
23:27special programs,
23:29including
23:30Libre Sakay,
23:31and entertainment
23:32and cultural
23:33presentations.
23:34The President has
23:35asked that these
23:36performances be
23:38live-streamed so
23:40Filipinos across
23:41the country can
23:42watch and take
23:43part even if they
23:44cannot be here in
23:45person.
23:46To our media
23:47delegates, we
23:48invite you all not
23:49only to cover the
23:50summit's discussions
23:51and agreements, but
23:53also to experience
23:54the Philippines, enjoy
23:55our food and local
23:57beverages, discover
23:59our helot, meet
24:00our local
24:01entrepreneurs, and
24:02explore our
24:03products, take a
24:04look at our
24:04locally sourced
24:05pearls, a reminder
24:07of why the
24:08Philippines has long
24:09been known as the
24:10Pearl of the
24:11Orient Seas.
24:12We recognize that
24:13the International
24:14Media Center is
24:15primarily a
24:16workplace for
24:17journalists, where
24:19you gather
24:19information and
24:20report on the
24:21important developments
24:22of the summit.
24:23We hope, however,
24:25that we will also
24:26give you a better
24:27understanding of the
24:28country hosting these
24:30meetings, because
24:31as in cooperation is
24:33not only about
24:34agreements between
24:35governments, it is
24:36also about building
24:38understanding, strengthening
24:40relationships, and
24:41creating opportunities
24:42among our people.
24:44Ito ang nais ng ating
24:46Pangulo na makamit
24:47natin.
24:48As in
24:49Sheriffship na may
24:50kamuluhang ambag sa
24:52pagtugon sa mga hamon
24:54ng ating riyon, habang
24:55ipinakikilala din natin
24:57sa abong mundo ang
24:59Pilipinas.
25:00As we formally open,
25:02the International
25:02Media Center may it
25:04serve both purposes,
25:06communication, the
25:08important work of ASEAN
25:09to the world, and
25:11while giving the world
25:12an opportunity to
25:14discover the
25:14Philippines.
25:15Maraming salamat po,
25:17and mabuhay ang
25:17Pilipinas.
25:32Thank you very much,
25:33Secretary Dita, and
25:35friends, you heard it
25:36right, the regions are
25:38around you here in the
25:41International Media
25:42Center, so I urge you
25:43guys in the next few
25:44days to please explore,
25:46get a taste of our food
25:48and coffee, maybe
25:49experience hilot, or
25:51get a massage over here
25:52and just experience the
25:54Philippines through the
25:55International Media
25:56Center.
25:57But right now, it's
25:58time for us to capture
25:59this moment, so we
26:01call on our VIPs here,
26:03Secretary Lino Cayetano,
26:05we also have Secretary
26:06Dita Angara Matay, and
26:08DG Helen De La Vega,
26:09to please join us here
26:10in front for the
26:12photo opportunity.
26:20Big, big, big way to
26:21kick off Summit Week
26:26for ASEAN 2026.
26:32So to our friends from
26:33the media, you know
26:34what to do, cameras up,
26:35take your photos, take
26:37your videos for our news
26:39teams.
26:46So now, let's bring in
26:47the partners who help
26:48make this Summit
26:50possible.
26:51Let's call on the
26:51corporate sponsors to
26:53please join us here in
26:54front.
26:58Our representatives from
27:00our corporate sponsors,
27:02please join us.
27:06this all wouldn't be
27:07possible without your
27:10help and the openness
27:11to collaborate for ASEAN
27:142026.
27:15And when there's a storm
27:17and the sky is pitch
27:19black, our hearts are
27:21the compass to keep
27:23us on track.
27:24If you listen to your
27:26heart, you will know
27:27that you are part of
27:29one song we're
27:30sounding through
27:49aside from our
27:50representatives from
27:52the organizing teams,
27:56different branches of
27:58the government, we also
27:59have corporate sponsors
28:02who believed in the
28:03vision for ASEAN
28:062026.
28:08Nice smile.
28:09Cameras in front.
28:24There you go.
28:25Thank you so much.
28:27Let's now request our
28:28sponsors to please go
28:29back to their seats.
28:30but secretaries and
28:32DG, please kindly stay
28:33and step a little bit
28:35closer to the audience.
28:38Yeah, to our
28:39secretaries and DG,
28:41please go closer to
28:43our audience here
28:45because for one more
28:47time, this is going to
28:49be the big one.
28:50So to our
28:51photographers, let's
28:52move on to the other
28:53side.
28:55There you go.
28:57again, this is going to be
28:59a big one.
29:00Let's ask our three
29:01speakers to turn and
29:03face our LED screen.
29:05Friends from the
29:05media, please stand.
29:07Find a place.
29:08Find the window so
29:09you're seen in the
29:10photo.
29:12There you go.
29:14Because this time you
29:15guys are in the
29:16picture.
29:20All right.
29:22On my count,
29:24let's say ASEAN 2026.
29:28One, two, three.
29:30ASEAN 2026.
29:39Okay, this time let's
29:41let the students from
29:44the Lakandula High
29:45School join us here for
29:50a quick photo as well.
29:54Here are the ones who
29:57entertained us earlier
29:58with a media of
30:00Philippine folk
30:01dances.
30:07Yeah, so our
30:08students, please find
30:09a place, find a
30:09spot.
30:13Other side's pretty
30:14open.
30:14Okay.
30:25One more photo but
30:26this time with the
30:27students.
30:28I love it.
30:29I love the acting
30:30here in front.
30:32They're going to
30:32read the book.
30:43Thank you very much.
30:45Once again, round of
30:46applause for ASEAN 2026
30:49and the International
30:50Media Center.
30:51advanced.
30:52Co partner.
30:52You saw the
30:52demo.
30:54They'reございます.
30:57You saw the
30:58They're going to
30:58I love it.
30:59talking about?
31:04You

Recommended