27 August 2013 - Consistent with ASEAN's community building objective, members of ASEAN resident missions and their families trooped to the Vincent Massey Park on 24 August 2013 for the annual ASEAN picnic coordinated by the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa.

As event coordinator, the Philippines organized a program aimed at strengthening camaraderie among ASEAN missions by way of sports, children's games and the sharing of representative dishes from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

Philippine Ambassador Leslie Gatan welcomed nearly 200 participants in his capacity as event coordinator while Amb. Hau Do Suan of Myanmar delivered opening remarks as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Ottawa (ACO).

As in previous years, warm up exercises put participants in the mood for the volleyball game organized by Myanmar, children's games led by Vietnam, soccer matches introduced this year by the Philippines and the highly-anticipated tug-of-war.

Food was overflowing as each mission contributed more than enough sustenance for the day's activities. "Providing a venue for our youth to bond through games and sports brings us closer to our ideal ASEAN socio-cultural community," Ambassador Gatan remarked.

The ASEAN Picnic is a yearly tradition that enables new and old members of resident missions and their families to connect, renew acquaintances and deepen friendships. END