Mexico, Pampanga, Philippines — To commemorate the United Nations’ Día del Galeón, the Mama Sita Foundation (MSF)—an organization committed to promoting Filipino culinary traditions and sustainable agriculture—held a tree planting ceremony at their Agri-Learning Center in Mexico, Pampanga. The site, renowned for agricultural learning, served as a fitting backdrop for the event.
L-R: Mr. Tommy Parlagutan Butarbutar, Counsellor for Political Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Hon. Soe Ko Ko, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Myanmar, Ms. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Undersecretary for Halal Tourism and Muslim Concerns, Department of Tourism, His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia and 2025 ASEAN Chair, and Mr. Mark Lapus, Geologist and Trustee of Mama Sita Foundation
His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia and the forthcoming 2025 ASEAN Chair, led the event. He ceremoniously planted early-bearing coconut trees at the Agri-Learning Center’s ASEAN Plaza, a hub dedicated to fostering unity among Southeast Asian nations. This symbolic act reinforced the foundation’s mission of nurturing both the land and international relationships. He was joined by distinguished representatives from the ASEAN community:
- Hon. Soe Ko Ko, Chargé d’Affaires, and Ms. Kay Thwe Khine, Economic Attaché, Embassy of Myanmar
- Mr. Tommy Parlagutan Butarbutar, Counsellor for Political Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia
- Ms. Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Undersecretary for Halal Tourism and Muslim Concerns, Department of Tourism, Philippines
Representatives from the Pampanga local government and municipal council participated in the planting activity, symbolizing collaboration for sustainable development between local and regional partners.
This event commemorated the UN Day of the Galleon, which celebrates the historic 1565 voyage when the first Manila Galleon reached Acapulco, Mexico—a milestone that launched 250 years of trans-Pacific trade and cultural exchange. The region’s shared maritime heritage continues to bind Southeast Asian nations through strong historical, cultural, and commercial ties.
With the theme “From Galleons to Greenways: Honoring Our Shared Maritime Heritage through Environmental Action and ASEAN Solidarity,” the celebration aimed to transform a legacy of connection into collective environmental action. More than 200 volunteers from different sectors joined ASEAN representatives to plant 200 native guava and achuete seedlings, demonstrating MSF’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainable food systems.
Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, highlighted unity and stewardship: “Each sapling we place into the soil is a pledge—a quiet but powerful promise that we will be caretakers of creation, not merely its consumers,” he stated, encouraging ASEAN nations to move “from galleons to greenways” toward a more sustainable and harmonious future.
The Mama Sita Foundation, through this initiative, reaffirms its dedication to connecting heritage with sustainability. By preserving traditional foodways and nurturing the land that supports them, MSF builds partnerships among ASEAN communities, farmers, and advocates. In doing so, the foundation honors the legacy of Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes—promoting Filipino cuisine alongside environmental stewardship and support for those who tend the land.
Manila Travel Tour Packages You Should Try
Follow and Subscribe to OutofTownBlog.com on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more Travel related updates.
Read: Recipes: Kusina ni Mama Sita introduces Adlai Paella Kit
