On November 3, 2026, Palawan State University integrated the celebration of the 49th ASEAN Summit into its weekly flag-raising ceremony at the PalawanSU Gymnasium to foster regional awareness and global competitiveness. The morning program began with the traditional Flag Raising Ceremony, immediately followed by the singing of the ASEAN Anthem. Prof. Marissa S. Pontillas, Vice President for Academic Affairs, formally welcomed the attendees, while Dr. Lhynette T. Zambales, TNEIALO Director, provided the rationale for the ASEAN Flag raising and summit celebration, highlighting the importance of embedding international awareness into campus culture.
A central highlight of the gathering was the inspirational message delivered by University President Dr. Venzon L. Limpiada. In his address, Dr. Limpiada emphasized the values of unity and strength through the enduring Filipino metaphor of the bamboo—“Yumuyuko ngunit hindi nababali.” “Like the bamboo that sways with the fiercest winds yet stays firmly rooted, our institution and our neighboring nations thrive by adapting to rapid global changes without compromising our core identity,” Dr. Limpiada shared. He underscored that this mindset reflects ASEAN diplomacy: protecting institutional and national boundaries while maintaining mutual respect and cooperation across borders. Dr. Limpiada also highlighted the necessity of embracing a “glocal” perspective—grounding university initiatives in local wisdom, community heritage, and environmental protection while actively competing on the international stage. He linked this philosophy directly to PalawanSU’s IGNITE Agenda, urging the university community to spark innovation, advance research, and uphold academic excellence.
The program continued with an insightful presentation by Ms. Louella Martina B. Era of the CBA Faculty, titled “ASEAN in our Everyday Lives: Opportunities, Responsibilities, and the Future of Filipino Students and Educators”. The event concluded with closing remarks and the announcement of a continuing ASEAN cultural exhibit at the Lobby of the College of Architecture and Design, presented by CAD faculty member Archt. Anthony Anderson on behalf of CAD Dean, Archt. Jefferson Bulan, followed by a photo opportunity. The entire ceremony was hosted by TNE Focal Person Mr. Ziedwrick A. Dicar.
By integrating regional celebrations into weekly traditions like the flag-raising ceremony, PalawanSU reaffirms its commitment to nurturing globally conscious, locally grounded future leaders.
