ASEAN MAGAZINE SOUVENIR (2)

ASEAN LITERATURE

ITS MORE FUN IN THE Philippines The Philippines is divided into three island groups of Luzon, Philippines is known for so many things: pristine beaches, the Visayas, and Mindanao. breathtaking mountains, jaw-dropping lagoons, historic Luzon and Mindanao are both sites, and hospitable people. named after the largest island in their respective groups, while the Visayas (also referred to as the Visayan Islands) is an archipelago. Unbelievable Beliefs Philippines would probably have the most unique beliefs, that others would think it is unbelievable. If you have Filipino blood, you can't hide the fact that you have an inch of these unbelievable beliefs. For example: Pagmamano, Festivals and Parades, Bayanihan at Harana. It is a day to honor teachers and the central role they play in guiding children, youth and adults through the life-long learning process. In the Philippines, it has been made a month-long celebration, 05 September to 05 October of Every Year as ‘National Teachers’ Month’” The Philippines is an archipelago composed of about 7,640 islands, covering a total area, including inland bodies of water, of around 300,000 square kilometers. The best way to get to know one place is to understand its history, and the Philippines has its fair share of stories as it played many roles in the history of the world. Another must-see is the Rizal shine, which pays tribute to the Philippines' national hero from the Spanish era. Jose Rizal.

Vietnam is a long, narrow nation shaped like the letter s. It is in Southeast Asia on the eastern edge of the peninsula known as Indochina. Its neighbors include China to the north and Laos and Cambodia to the west. The South China Sea lies to the east and south. The mountains of the Annam Cordillera rise over most of the western side of Vietnam, while a thousand-mile (1,600-kilometer) coastline dominates the east. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular day trip from the capital Hanoi, Halong Bay is famous for its limestone karsts and almost two thousand islands and islets that dot the turquoise-green waters. The Vietnamese culture is one of the oldest in Southeast Asia and is heavily influenced by the Chinese culture. Despite the changes over the years, some elements of the Vietnamese culture like the veneration of the ancestors, respect for family values, devotion to study, etc., remained intact. The date and time of the ceremony is usually determined by a Buddhist monk or fortune teller. The wedding consists of several ceremonies including asking permission to receive the bride, the procession to receive the bride, the procession to the groom's house, the second ancestor ceremony, and the banquet party. The Vietnamese has been described as energetic, sentimental, pragmatic, entrepreneurial, proud, industrious and hardworking. As is true with the Chinese, their natural tendencies often seem to fly in the face of what is expected of good Communists. Vietnamese are very friendly, easy-going and have an easy smile.

Brunei - Abode of Peace Brunei is known for its beautiful mosques and Islamic architecture throughout Southeast Asia. Both the Omar Ali Saifuddien and Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosques in Bandar Seri Begawan are popular tourist destinations. The first is located near the Brunei River and coastline, and features a spectacular manmade lagoon. Borneo’s sunsets are some of the most spectacular on Earth. The persistent clouds towards the horizon create a plethora of reds, oranges and purples as the sun dips out of sight The Community A phrase that Bruneians are very familiar when it comes to community is ‘gotong-royong’, which essentially means working together. There are regular events for ‘gotong- royong’ to help with the upkeep of community-based places such as cleaning campaigns for schools, mosques and town halls. The Empire Brunei This 5-star resort by the coast is one of the most picturesque places in Brunei, inside and out. Built on a sprawling 445 acres of beachfront estate, the complex includes multiple blocks of sea-facing accommodations, villas with their own gardens, a country club, an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, a three-screen cinema, lagoons and pools, and private beaches. The resort grounds are accessible to the public and many do frequent the place for leisurely walks, exercise, photo shoots and sunset-bathing. The inner sanctum of the hotel is a display of sumptuous luxury from architecture to furnishings. Full windows spanning multiple floors let in natural light to warm the interiors that shimmer with marble pillars and gold accents, while offering a view of the resort’s landscapes and the blue expanse of rolling sea.

Myanmar is an unexplored natural and cultural wonder that offers one of the best authentic experiences for the traveller to Asia. From the snow- covered rugged Himalayas in the north to the pristine deep blue waters in the south, Myanmar is a land blessed and abundant. There are 135 different ethnic groups in Myanmar who have their own styles of cooking and food preparation. And the country shares a border with three major cuisines in the region including Indian, Thai, and Chinese. WEDDING Dat Taw Most weddings are marked by a ceremony, feast or party at the Gyaint bride's house, a hotel or a hall of some sort. The bride usually wears a Those visiting Pyin Oo Lwin and seeking adventure decorated silk dress and has her hair drawn into a coil and has rings on all should not skip over the giant waterfall often missed by her fingers. Men usually feast first tourists. With scenic waterfalls, strawberry farms, caves, and then women take their turn. For a Buddhist wedding, a senior, and botanic gardens catching the eyes of those respected man or monk chants some wandering through, Dat Taw Gyaint waterfall goes Buddhist scripture. The groom enters unnoticed. While it does take an arduous 2 or 3 hours to and sits on a cushion. The bride does make it to the waterfall, outdoor enthusiasts and the same to the left of the groom. adventurers will find excitement in this little slice of The couple leans forward with paradise. From the moment you arrive, you can see the flowers in their hands and bows as first of the three layers of the waterfall, but locals will Buddhist scriptures are read by show you the way along the trail along the 250-foot elders and monks to show their waterfall. Be sure to pack your camera and sturdy hiking reverence to the Triple Gems and to shoes! their parents.

The Thailand is the only Southeast Asian Amazing country that was never colonized by an European country. In fact, in the Thai land Thai language, the name of the country is Prathet Thai which means “land of the free.” The national symbol of Thailand, elephants are admired for their strength, endurance and intellige nce.They have long had a role in Thai society; elephants were used in warfare centuries ago, and they also hauled logs and farm produce. Love is also divided into three levels: love for oneself, love for others and universal love as that love which involves with enjoyment and affection. phom The Land of Smile rak khun Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, and that doesn’t just refer to Night Bazzar, the tourists. Fashions and trends come Chiang Mai and go, but one thing Thai people Koh Phi Phi always seem to be wearing is a smile – and here, it’ll never go out of fashion.

LAOS -Land of Million Elephants Laos is called the “Land of a Million Elephants,” and is famous for its amazing scenery, ethnic villages, and unexplored lands. It is best known for some of Southeast Asia's most spectacular waterfalls, including Tad Fane and Dong Hua Sao. Why is Laos called land of mil lion elephants? As Laos had extensive forests and sparse human population, wild herds of elephants roamed all over. Elephants continue to be considered a sacred animal, which Lao people believe will bring them prosperity. FAMILY The family is an important institution in Laos and tends to be the foundation of social life. Lao tend to have large and close-knit families, with four to five children on average. Three generations living together in the same household is common. Kuang Si Waterfalls The caves and waterfalls in Laos are unlike any others in the world. The flowing water at the natural Kuang Si waterfall in Luang Prabang is one of the most stunning waterfalls in the country. It cascades down three tiers to a 50-meter drop. Beneath the falls are a series of pools where you can go for a swim and get the best view by looking up at the grand falls. You can change clothes in wooden huts that are located on-site.

CAMBODIA The Khmer Empire, the predecessor state to modern Cambodia (\"Kampuchea\" or \"Srok Khmer\" to the Khmer people), was a powerful Hindu- Buddhist empire in Southeast Asia. The sampot is the national garment of Cambodia. The traditional dress is similar to those worn in the neighboring countries of Laos and Thailand, but variations do exist between the countries. Cambodians also have some typical characteristics that make the unique attraction of Cambodia. Generally, Cambodians are gentle, sympathetic and polite. The first impression of Cambodian is that they always smile despite being suffered from Khmer Rouge Regime.

Indonesia Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world. Located north of Australia and south of the Philippines and Southeast Asia, it is also the largest archipelago nation in the world and the largest and most widely-spread country in Southeast Asia. Many people in the world have aspirations to be the most beautiful and elegant woman on her wedding day. In fact, in every country, brides wear different traditional clothes and accessories. In Indonesia, there are Javanese, Sundanese, Padang and Makassar brides who have unique characteristics. Indonesians have been described as resilient, resourceful, tenacious and courageous, putting up with life's difficulties with wry good humor.

ONE VISION, ONE IDENTITY, ONE COMMUNITY