The Commission on Higher Education – Caraga Regional Office (CHED Caraga) officially kicks off the 56th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Founding Anniversary Celebration with the ASEAN Float Parade and the Search for Mr. and Ms. ASEAN Ambassador 2023.
The Opening Ceremony festivities began at the Caraga State University open grounds where the motorcade of ASEAN Floats showcasing the vibrant cultures of the ten (10) ASEAN member nations began its route with model students and Higher Education Institution (HEI) key officials donning the national costumes representing their assigned nations.
Leading the Float Parade with CHED Caraga were the following HEIs whose floats creatively showcased their assigned nations:
•Brunei Float – Asian College Foundation
•Thailand Float – Northwestern Agusan Colleges
•Myanmar Float – Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology
•Laos Float – Saint Michael College of Caraga
•Indonesia Float – ACLC College of Butuan City, Inc.
•Malaysia Float – Agusan Colleges, Inc.
•Philippines Float – Agusan del Sur College
•Cambodia Float – Merchant Marine Academy of Caraga, Inc
•Singapore Float – Caraga School of Business, Inc.
•Vietnam Float – Butuan City Colleges, Inc.
The parade culminated at Robinsons Place Butuan, where students, HEI key officials, and mall-goers gathered to witness the Declaration of the Opening of the 56th ASEAN Founding Anniversary Celebration, and the Search for Mr. and Ms. ASEAN Ambassador 2023.
CHED Commissioner Hon. Jo Mark Libre graced the occasion as Keynote Speaker and gave an inspirational message, highlighting the achievements of Caraga HEIs and the vision for ASEAN as a beacon of peace and stability in the region amid multidimensional challenges.
OIC Regional Director of CHED Caraga Ms. Alma Sy-Patron formally declared the opening of the 56th ASEAN Founding Anniversary Celebration, which was followed by the hoisting of the ASEAN Flags and the singing of the ASEAN Hymn.
With the celebrations formally opened, the Search for Mr. and Ms. ASEAN Ambassador 2023 thus began. Twelve (12) pairs of male and female candidates from twelve (12) Caraga HEIs vied for the title of Mr. and Ms. ASEAN Ambassador 2023. They competed in three categories, namely the ASEAN Costume, the Question and Answer, and the Social Media People’s Choice where netizens voted online for their favorite candidates through likes, heart reactions, and shares.
Judging the pageant were three (3) accomplished and remarkable individuals within and outside of the field of pageantry: Mutya Hong Butuan 2023 Ms. Shayne Khietly Mellijor, Father Saturnino Urios University-Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants Ambassadress of Goodwill 2019 Ms. Joyce Piquero, and Finalist of the Great Man of the Universe Philippines of Agusan del Norte 2022 Mr. John Paul Tutor.
The following candidates bagged the three (3) minor awards of the evening:
Social Media People’s Choice Award
•Male Category: Candidate #4, Mr. Kris Angelu V. Ananoria from Agusan Del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology
•Female Category: Candidate #4, Justene Mae O. Dela Peña from Agusan Del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology
Best ASEAN Costume
•Male Category: Candidate #11, Mr. Dande Acido Alonde from Agusan Del Sur College, Inc.
•Female Category: Candidate #11, Ms. Korina Calinawan from Agusan Del Sur College, Inc.
Best in Question and Answer
•Male Category: Candidate #11, Mr. Dande Acido Alonde from Agusan Del Sur College, Inc.
•Female Category: Candidate #11, Ms. Korina Calinawan from Agusan Del Sur College, Inc.
Finally, the Mr. and Ms. ASEAN Ambassador were crowned, along with the 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up winners. The candidates from Agusan Del Sur College, Inc. were the big winners of the evening.
•Mr. ASEAN Ambassador 2023: Candidate #11, Mr. Dande Acido Alonde from Agusan Del Sur College, Inc.
•Ms. ASEAN Ambassador 2023: Candidate #11, Ms. Korina Calinawan from Agusan Del Sur College, Inc.
1st Runner Up
•(Male Category): Candidate #8, Mr. Cliff Howard F. Salomon from North Eastern Mindanao State University – Tandag
•(Female Category): Candidate #1, Ms. Shamarie Jane M. Berse from St. Francis Xavier College
2nd Runner Up
•(Male Category): Candidate # 9, Mr. Albert S. Italio, Jr. from Andres Soriano Colleges of Bislig
•(Female Category): Candidate #4, Ms. Justene Mae O. Dela Peña, from Agusan Del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology
Audiences were also treated to extraordinary song and dance performances from the Caraga State University Budjong Ensemble, the Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology, Inc. Dance Performers, and the St. Francis Xavier College Song Performers.
CHED Caraga would like to congratulate the winners of the Search for Mr. and Ms. ASEAN Ambassador 2023, and thank all Caraga HEIs for their support and enthusiasm that made the Opening Ceremony a success.
The Regional Office would also like to recognize all the brilliant and talented candidates and their respective HEIs who participated in the competition:
•St. Francis Xavier College
Mr. Leo M. Baldos
Ms. Shamariejane M. Berse
•Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology, Inc.
Mr. Christian Jay B. Evanoso
Ms. Elysa G. Semaña
•Northern Mindanao Colleges, Inc.
Mr. John Ruben Page
Ms. Joyce Mente
•Agusan Del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology
Mr. Kris Angelu V. Ananoria
Ms. Justene Mae O. Dela Peña
•St. Michael College of Caraga, Inc.
Mr.Gilbert G. Pasto
Mitzi C. Taperla
•Merchant Marine Academy of Caraga, Inc.
Mr. Reymart T. Malazarte
Ms. Jenel Dezerie V. Tampan
•Surigao Del Norte State University
Mr. Zelyan Matthew S. Tibay
Ms. Christy Lee D. Alipao
•North Eastern Mindanao State University – Tandag
Mr. Cliff Howard F. Salomon
Ms. Leidy Lei I. Laurente
•Andres Soriano Colleges of Bislig
Mr. Albert S. Italio, Jr.
Ms. Zairra Mae M. Garduque
•ACLC College of Butuan
Mr. Mark Donald Cabatingan
Ms. Abby Gaile Ruga
•Agusan Del Sur College, Inc
Mr. Dande Acido Alonde
Ms. Korina Calinawan
•Caraga School of Business
Mr. Ed Jifferson Gonzaga
Ms. Sandara S. Calinawan
Along with the HEIs mentioned above, the Regional Office would also like to recognize the following HEIs who lent their support through their attendance to the opening ceremony and wearing of beautiful ASEAN member nation costumes:
•Don Jose Ecleo Memorial College
•De La Salle John Bosco College
•Philippine Normal University Mindanao
•Surigao Education Center
•Northwestern Agusan Colleges
•Agusan Colleges, Inc.
•Father Saturnino Urios University
•Bucas Grande Foundation College
•Surigao Sur Colleges
•Caraga Institute of Technology
•Surigao Education Center
•Caraga State University
•Butuan Doctors College
•Saint Joseph Institute of Technology
The Regional Office would also like to congratulate the following winners of the Mr. and Ms. ASEAN Look and Best Dressed (Male and Female) during the opening ceremony:
•Mr. ASEAN Look: Mr. Crisoly N. Felias Jr. (MMACI)
•Ms. ASEAN Look: Ms. Joanna Christine Z. Corrales (PECIT)
•Best Dressed Male: Mr. Jay-em G. Ajoc (SEC)
•Best Dressed Female: Ms. Jeva D. Hernandez (MMACI)
The Regional Office would finally like to thank Robinsons Place Butuan for providing the venue for the opening ceremony, as well as Caraga State University for providing the venue for the kick-off of the ASEAN Float Parade.