Brief Historical Background of the First ASEAN Regional Conference

by Carmen S. Guevara †

It was 1 October, 1976, during the Ikebana International World Convention in Tokyo, that the first idea of forming a region among the Southeast Asian Chapters was initiated. I was talking with Bessie Jensen of Singapore who was very keen on this subject and who invited Asean Chapter Presidents to a discussion of this matter over lunch, Mrs. Pesitkusem of Bangkok Chapter, Mrs. Sobreviñas of Manila and myself, joined Bessie.

It was not until May of 1978 when the first organizational meeting towards forming a region among other Asean Chapters was held in Singapore under the leadership og Pamela Lee, then President of Singapore Chapter, and Bessie Jensen. In that meeting, the Philippines were represented by Mila Sumulong, Tita del Rosario, Carmen Guevara of Manila Chapter, and Zelia Borromeo, Pauline Deduque, and Corito Abalos of Cebu Chapter, Kuala Lumpur and Indonesia were represented by many members, but Bangkok was not. In this meeting, the Philippine members made tentative overtures to host the first conference, pending approval of its members.

Another meeting was called in May, 1979, with Kuala Lumpur Chapter as host. It was there that the decision to have the First Asean Conference the next year was made and Manila Chapter was duly notified.

So in June, 1979, at its first regular meeting after the summer recess, I broached the subject of hosting the Conference to the members, who generously and gallantly rose to the occasion by pledging their support. Fully aware of the great responsibilities and labour that an international conference of this nature will entail, but nevertheless proud of their ability to meet the challenge, a Working Committee was immediately formed, inviting the officers of Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Chapters to join the various subcommittees.

Starting with the First Committee meeting on September 29, 1979 all committee, chairpersons were appointed and their duties defined. This was the official start of the preparations for the Conference. Because it is quite difficult to have the provincial chapters represented in the monthly Committee meetings it was necessary to President Chon del Rosario, Treasurer Celia Legasto, Past President Auring Villanueva & Rose Avanceña, to make trips to the provinces and inform the chapter members of our plans.

Meanwhile, to coordinate our plans with the other ASEAN Chapter, Hortense Sobreviñas and I visited Singapore, Bangkok, and Indonesia in February, 1980. The enthusiasm and whole-hearted cooperation which the officers of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok extended to us assured us of the success of the conference.

The response of Tokyo Headquarters, through International President Midori Purdy was no less encouraging. Through Mrs. Purdy’s continued advice and help, many problems were resolved and a Headmaster for the demonstration was invited in the person of Mr. Meikof Kasuya of Ichiyo School. A quick trip to Tokyo in March made it possible for me to thresh out some details both with Mrs. Purdy and Mr. Kasuya.

It is essential for the Asean Regional Conference to establish permanent policies during this Conference so that in the future Asean Regional conferences would have a precedent to follow this facilitating and ensuring the smooth operation of the proceedings.