First blood!

The first blood has been drawn!

And yet again, I was caught off guard, not knowing that the race for medals has begun!

Vietnam currently sits on top of the table, looking down on others. Malaysia's second. But hey, there's a long way to go. Anything could happen.

I hope this Games won't be as controversial as the last one. The last time, Thaksin, the former premier of Thailand accused the organizer of the XXIII Games, Philippines as biased officials. He then nonchalantly declared Thailand could organize the Games better. That, prompted a diplomatic storm in a tea cup. Well, here's Thailand's chance to prove just that. But of course, Thaksin is no more the PM of Thailand. Nevertheless...

And wow! The Sea Games' site is hard to navigate. The template changes instead of staying constant upon entry into certain links. Thus, I'm convinced that the author of the site has done a bad job.

A Citizens Summary of the 1st ASEAN Constitution

The ASEAN Constitution states that the organization shall promote its common ASEAN Identity and a sense of belonging among its people in order to achieve its shared destiny, goals, and values. To add (and to start) the forming of the new ASEAN Identity, our ASEAN Constitution provides us with the following:

ASEAN Emblem

The ASEAN Emblem represents a stable, peaceful, united, and dynamic ASEAN. The colours of the emblem - blue, red, white, and yellow - represent the main colours of the crests of all the ASEAN countries.

• Blue - represents peace and stability


• Red - depicts courage and dynamism


• White - shows purity


• Yellow - symbolises prosperity

The ten stalks of padi represent the dream of ASEAN's Founding Fathers for an ASEAN comprising all the ten countries in South-East Asia bound together in friendship and solidarity. The circle represents the unity of ASEAN.

ASEAN Flag

The ASEAN Flag is a symbol of ASEAN cooperation and solidarity in promoting the common aspirations of Member Countries for peace and prosperity in the region. It has the ASEAN emblem in the centre which is set against a light blue background depicting peace and harmoney. The ASEAN emblem colours of brown, yellow, and dark blue symbolize strength and stability, prosperity and friendship which form the foundations of ASEAN solidarity, harmony, and coopration.

ASEAN Motto: One Vision, One Identity, One Community

The motto from the 11th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in 2005 is now the Official ASEAN Motto: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community".

ASEAN Day: August 8

And I'm surprised how "August 8" was only recognized as the ASEAN Day as part of the 1st ASEAN Constitution, when during my elementary days, we celebrate August 8 here in the Philippines as.. well.. the "ASEAN Day"! I also declared it on my "ASEAN Citizens" blog as the ASEAN Day without knowing it wasn't even official.

Regardless, it is good news it is now an official regional day which we have to observe (since the Philippine education institutions stopped celebrating the ASEAN Day since I entered High School 15 years ago). In other words, every August 8 starting next year, all ASEAN members will be on holiday (and market close) to celebrate the Founding Day of the Association of South-East Asian Nations or ASEAN.

ASEAN Anthem

This one, the 'new' ASEAN is still to write and compose. I strongly suggest to our Secretary-General that you make this an open competition for all ASEAN Citizens. Entries must be recognized as "Asean", not as "Filipino/Philippines", "Singapore", "Laotian", "Khmer", and so on. Then open a fool-proof voting system online and let the people take part in the voting for some percentage. Then the other percentage will be taken from the decision of the high-level and/or top-level ASEAN Ministers.

For the ASEAN Citizens, I suggest you start writing and composing, then gather everyone's contribution together, I am listening to three ASEAN songs while writing this.

ASEAN changing from State-centric to be more People-oriented

• Do more FOR the people, by mobilizing regional and international cooperation.


• Institutionalized consultations with other stakeholders such as parliamentarians, private sector, civil society, and non-governmental organizations.


• Tourism and people-to-people exchanges


• Sports (SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games)


• ASEAN Languages (although "English" is the only official working language in ASEAN)


• Cooperation in education, and university network


• Facilitated mobility of professional and skilled labour


• Resources for human development


• Narrowing the Development Gap between members

Other ASEAN signed Agreements

• Formation of the ASEAN Human Rights Body (part of the ASEAN Charter)


• the ASEAN Economic Community (blueprint) by 2015 - Integrating all 10 Economies into ONE Market and Production Base

The 3 Pillars of an ASEAN Community

• ASEAN Political and Security Community (APSC)


• ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)


• ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)

* For the purpose of ensuring durable peace, stability, and shared prosperity in the region.


If you want to read the "leaked" draft version of the ASEAN Charter, click here.

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ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations)
Founded: August 8, 1967
Founders: Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand
Where: Bangkok

New Members in order of membership:

• Brunei Darussalam - January 8, 1984


• Viet Nam - July 28, 1995


• Laos - July 23, 1997


• Myanmar (Burma) - July 23, 1997


• Cambodia - April 30, 1999

Other Facts:
* ASEAN succeeded "MaPhilIndo"
* ASEAN signed its 1st Consitution on November 20, 2007
* The ASEAN Way is "Peaceful Diplomacy" not sanctions

Who's Who at the SEA Games 2007

When the 1st Southeast Asian Peninsular Games reeled off in 1959, the region started its long term bond that now stretched not just in the Southeast Asian peninsula but to the whole world. Participated by 6 peninsular countries, the inaugural game in Bangkok became the start of a continuing success.


In 1977, two new countries joined in as Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines were accepted in the Southeast Asian circle, thus became the birth of the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur. Though Thailand never liked the idea of admitting these three countries and dropping the word "Peninsular", it did not hinder the spirit of the games to unite the peaceful Southeast Asians. Eventually, the three neophyte countries (already earning bronzes and silvers in the Olympics) showed far better competitors for Thailand.

Now that it goes back to where it first emerged, this coming December 6, who takes home the laurels? Check out the possibilities.

• Brunei Darussalam- Since its inclusion to the Games in 1977, this great little kingdom was a potential SEA Games major competitor. Brunei garnered 4 golds among the 47 medals they bagged during their hosting of the 20th SEA Games in 1999.



• Cambodia- Though appointed host and declined for so many times, Cambodia proved that they really had their say in the games. Cambodia's highest earn is a 17-gold medal sweep in the 1971 SEAP Games in Kuala Lumpur.



• Indonesia- When this country joined in in 1977, they immediately champed the over-alls which proved that these men from the south were a powerhouse. Indonesia champed 9 times in the Games.



• Laos- Laos is among the original members of the Southeast Asian Games and has been a fair player ever since. Though not with greater performance, this country is a promising hub of athletes. Vientiane, its capital is scheduled to host SEA Games the 25th in 2009 for the first time.



• Malaysia- This country played a key role in the continued success of the SEA Games. When participating countries realized the burden of hosting the SEAP, Malaysia was the one who pushed to the inclusion of the three potential countries of Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines and stepped on hosting to some very tight spots especially when Cambodia and Laos begged off to their hosting rights in 1963 and 1965 respectively. Kuala Lumpur has hosted the Games 5 times and is scheduled for another one in 2015. Malaysia holds some powerful athletes that might strip down this year's medal tally.



• Myanmar- Alongside Thailand, Myanmar was a major contributor to the establishment of the SEAP Games after hosting in 1961 and 1969. Myanmar champed twice and may fight for another one this year.



• Philippines- Being the defending champion and among the powerful teams in the games, the Philippines takes with them a great responsibility to defend their title. The Philippines has hosted 3 SEA Games editions with 113 gold medals in its highest tally board.



• Singapore- Originally scheduled to host this year's SEA Games, this promising country tries a bite at the apple this year.



• Thailand- This is where it all started. Thailand, the mother of the SEA Games cradles its fruit once more. This country hosted 6 times and has champed for countless editions. Thailand is one of the most powerful country in the games and in the whole of Asia after ranking 5th in the 2006 Doha Asian Games. Can they still make it this year and prove to their brothers its great power?



• Timor-Leste- The youngest country to join the SEA Games is East Timor. After its first appearance in the 22nd SEA Games in Vietnam, East Timor showed their great potential to jot their names on the top of the tally board. East Timor won 3 bronze medals in the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines (2005).



• Vietnam- Hosting the games for the first time and winning over-alls in the first time in 2003 was a big leap for Vietnam. Now that they know what they can reach, will they take back from the Philippines what they got first? Or will Thailand prove that they are the masters in their own land?
  

Goodluck to the athletes and to SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima!