ASEAN anniversary marked with music, food and culture

The United Arab Emirates hosted a vibrant celebration marking the 59th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The event brought together a culturally diverse group, emphasizing unity and a shared vision for a better region for its 705 million citizens, predominantly millennials and Gen Z.

Attendees were treated to a wide array of musical performances. The Philippine Strings, an eight-member group based in the UAE, presented songs from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Nilisa Marie Victor, founder of Philippine Strings and co-founder of the Dubai Chamber Orchestra, led professional musicians in renditions of folk, pop, and traditional Filipino love songs, known as kundiman.

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It was an evening of a culturally diverse people rooted ethnologically, walking side-by-side for a much better region, most especially for their 705 million citizens who are mostly millennials and Gen Z.

These musical pieces were arranged by Lex Von Sumayo, a Filipino musician and mentor based in Abu Dhabi. The repertoire also included "One Vision, One Ocean," the official ASEAN 2026 anthem, alongside beloved Filipino folk songs like "Paru-Parong Bukid" and "Dahil Sa Iyo." The celebration underscored the deep cultural roots and shared aspirations of the ASEAN community.

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professional orchestra musicians