Vice President Sara Duterte has called on the youth of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take an active role in shaping a shared future built on unity, cooperation, and a spirit of collective action.
In her message marking the 59th ASEAN Day, Duterte highlighted the region’s diversity and the importance of ensuring that young people across Southeast Asia have opportunities to thrive regardless of their backgrounds.
“Home to nearly 700 million people, our region is a vibrant tapestry of different cultures, languages, and dreams. As we look ahead, our shared goal is simple: to build a future where every young person can thrive, no matter where they come from,” Duterte said.
Drawing from her experience as president of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Council, Duterte likened ASEAN cooperation to the Filipino tradition of bayanihan, in which communities come together to help one another.
“Having served as the President of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Council, I have seen what happens when we work together. It reminds me of a beautiful Filipino tradition called Bayanihan—the spirit of an entire community coming together to lift a neighbor’s house on their shoulders and move it to safer ground,” she said.
Duterte said the same spirit should guide ASEAN countries as they confront shared challenges and work toward a common future.
“This is exactly how we must build our shared future. No country carries the weight alone. We lift each other up,” she said.
She also challenged ASEAN youth to take a more active role in advancing the region’s collective vision.
“As we celebrate 59 years of ASEAN, let us bring this spirit of Bayanihan to the global stage. I challenge our ASEAN youth to take on the challenge of shaping our shared future, united by our shared vision and driven by our shared purpose,” Duterte said.
