Did You Know?

On August 8, 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established in Bangkok, Thailand, through the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by its five founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs Narciso R. Ramos, who was born in Asingan, Pangasinan, signed the ASEAN Declaration on behalf of the Philippines, affirming the country’s commitment to regional peace, cooperation, and shared prosperity—a commitment that continues to shape ASEAN today.

The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED RO1) joins the nation in celebrating ASEAN @ 59 by championing the internationalization of higher education institutions across the Ilocos Region.

Throughout the month, watch out for a series of activities, including ASEAN trivia, webinars, internationalization initiatives, and learning opportunities designed to strengthen regional awareness, foster cross-border collaboration, and prepare globally competitive, ASEAN-ready graduates.

Stay tuned as CHED RO1 celebrates our shared heritage and builds stronger connections across Southeast Asia—one vision, one identity, one community.

#ASEANMonth2026 #CHEDRO1 #ACHIEVE