PH kicks off countdown to 49th ASEAN Summit

The Philippine government, through the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), officially began the public countdown to the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits that will be held mid-November in Manila.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, together with PCO Assistant Secretary Ronadale Zapata, representing PCO Secretary Lino Cayetano, and diplomats from various ASEAN member states, led the ceremonial lighting of the iconic SM Mall of Asia globe with the summit logo.

“With 18 days to go before the 49th ASEAN Summit, the Philippines reaffirms its full commitment to bringing our chairship to a successful conclusion,” Dizon-De Vega said.

“In close partnership with all the ASEAN member states and our other partners, we look forward to welcoming the leaders of our region and beyond as we build on our collective achievements and advance our shared ASEAN mission,” she added.

The official said the upcoming summit will complete the remaining items in the Philippines’ checklist of priorities as ASEAN chair, which are structured on its so-called three ‘Ps’—peace and security anchors, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment.

Dizon-De Vega noted that the Philippines, in hosting several high-level ASEAN meetings throughout the year, has already “delivered substantive outcomes across all” its priorities.

“As we approach the 49th ASEAN Summit, we will complete the remaining items on our agenda, take pride in our commitments, and fulfill and sustain our efforts to build a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN community for the people across our 11 countries,” she said.

The event marks the official kick-off of the digital campaign for ASEAN Summit across SM Supermalls' cinemas nationwide, which will run from Oct. 28 to Nov. 18.

The Philippines at the countdown also reintroduced the ASEAN Corner, an initiative showcasing books and various collections from the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) on the cultures and shared heritage of the 11 ASEAN member states.

“Our partnership tonight reminds us that what binds our nation, what binds our region, is not only policy, but the stories, the songs, and even the games of our childhood. This is the spirit behind the ASEAN Corner,” Cayetano said in his message read by Zapata.

The ASEAN Corner is in partnership with SM Book Nook, the community reading and learning space in SM malls nationwide.

The countdown likewise featured a performance of the ASEAN 2026 theme song, "One Vision, One Ocean," by the NCCA and was capped with the traditional handshake among the dignitaries.

Also present at the event were ASEAN National Organizing Council Director-General Hellen De La Vega, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, and SM Supermalls Vice President Joaquin San Agustin.

The ASEAN member states are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.