The geographic proximity between Davao City and North Sulawesi is providing a foundation for stronger trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people connections between the Philippines and Indonesia, with both areas sharing longstanding economic and cultural links.
Indonesian Consul General Agus Trenggono highlighted the strategic connection during the opening of the Indonesia Day Cultural Event 2026 at SM City Davao on Tuesday afternoon, pointing to the close ties between Southern Philippines and Eastern Indonesia.
Trenggono said Davao City and North Sulawesi have benefited from their proximity, which has supported trade, migration and cultural exchange for centuries.
“Indonesia and the Philippines are more than just neighboring countries on a map. We are brothers and sisters connected by shared seas, intertwined histories, and common Austronesian roots,” he said.
“This bond is felt most strongly right here in Mindanao. The geographical proximity between Southern Philippines and Eastern Indonesia particularly North Sulawesi has fostered centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He said the proximity between Davao City and North Sulawesi places the two areas in a position to further develop cross-border economic activities, particularly under the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) framework.
He said for Davao City businesses, closer engagement with North Sulawesi and other Indonesian markets could open opportunities for expanded commercial networks, tourism exchanges and partnerships, while strengthening existing people-to-people links.
Trenggono said Indonesia Day was organized to help deepen these connections, emphasizing that stronger relationships are built not only through government-to-government engagements but also through communities.
“Through ‘Indonesia Day,’ we aim to strengthen the people-to-people connectivity that serves as the true foundation of our bilateral and BIMP-EAGA relations. Diplomacy is not just built in government offices; it is built through shared culture and shared laughter,” he said.
He also underscored the cultural similarities between Indonesia and Mindanao, particularly in traditional music and textiles.
Such commonalities, he said, demonstrate the historical connections between communities on both sides of the sea.
“When you hear the beat of our traditional music instruments today, you may hear echoes of your own indigenous music. When you look at the intricate patterns of our Batik and Tenun fabrics, you will see the same dedication to craftsmanship found in the traditional weaves of the Mindanaoan tribes,” he said.
Trenggono cited Indonesia’s national motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,” or “Unity in Diversity,” saying the same spirit can be seen in Davao City.
“I see this same beautiful spirit reflected in Davao City, a melting pot of cultures, tribes, and beliefs, all living together in peace and mutual respect,” he said.
The Indonesia Day event brought together representatives from the City Government of Davao, Department of Foreign Affairs-Mindanao, Department of Tourism 11 (DOT 11), security agencies, diplomatic missions and the private sector.
Trenggono thanked the city government of Davao for hosting the Indonesian Consulate and its diaspora community, as well as the institutions that helped organize the celebration.
“Please, explore and enjoy the traditional dances, music, and make new friends. Let today be a celebration of our shared heritage and our shared future,” he said.
The celebration underscored the potential of cultural diplomacy to complement economic cooperation, particularly as Davao and North Sulawesi seek to build on their geographic proximity and historical connections.
For the city government of Davao, closer engagement with North Sulawesi offers an avenue to strengthen its role in BIMP-EAGA and expand commercial, tourism and cultural exchanges with Eastern Indonesia.
