As the population continues to age, the Philippines, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the country’s lead agency for social protection, is intensifying efforts to ensure the dignity, well-being, and active participation of Filipino senior citizens in society through community-driven care, protection, and intergenerational engagement.
Over 100 participants gathered at the ASEAN+Republic of Korea (ROK) Conference on Care and Support for Older Persons, with the theme “Nurturing a Shared Future: Bridging Generations, Strengthening Communities, and Innovating Care” from 30 June to 2 July 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
ASEAN is dedicated to improving the lives of older people, recognising the profound impact of global ageing trends. By 2023, 8.1 per cent of ASEAN’s population, or 55.9 million people, were aged 65 or older. This demographic shift is set to accelerate significantly. By 2050, every ASEAN Member State will be classified as an ageing, … ASEAN’s Proactive Strategy for Ageing Populations
About the Artist Azalia Suhaimi is a Malaysian illustrator, poet, and multimedia artist, whose visual and written work explores the intricate layers of womanhood, motherhood, and self-compassion. Her work is shaped by her multidisciplinary education and passion for various forms of artistic expression. Azalia studied accounting but followed her artistic instincts and pursued photography and, … Cover Story for the Issue 44 – Dear Mama
At the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Kansai, Japan, ASEAN presents a pavilion themed “Building Bridges”—a reflection of the region’s commitment to connection, cooperation, and shared progress. Framed within the broader Expo theme, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” the pavilion will run from 13 April to 13 October 2025.
Lakoat.Kujawas (Timorese for loquat and guava) in the Mollo highlands of Timor, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, is a thriving community-led initiative that archives local knowledge and creates spaces for people to gather, celebrate, learn, and preserve their cultural heritage. Since it began in 2016, Lakoat.Kujawas has evolved from a library into a broader archival centre. … Lakoat.Kujawas: Food, Heritage, and the Stories We Share
Adobo, sinigang, and ube desserts are some Filipino dishes gaining global recognition—largely thanks to a growing number of high-profile Filipino restaurants and chefs, diaspora communities, viral vlogs and social media posts, and praise from renowned chefs and food critics. Some have even declared Filipino food the next big thing in the culinary world.
Chef Noi grew up around a kitchen, foraging and fishing with her father and learning to prepare food with her grandmother. These shaped her perspective on food and taught her responsibility, resilience, hard work, and frugality. Chef Noi owns a restaurant, Doi Ka Noi, which specialises in traditional Lao cuisine. It has recently earned a … Preserving Traditional Lao Flavours
Ros Rotanak or Chef Nak describes Cambodian food as incredibly diverse and naturally healthy. “Cambodian dishes are well-balanced, incorporating salty, sweet, sour, and umami flavours in perfect harmony. Our ingredients are typically fresh and locally sourced, often found in villages, growing along fences, or in home gardens.”
“The agritech sector across ASEAN has seen both remarkable successes and sobering failures.” Thirty-five-year-old Aukrit Unahalekhaka shares this candid view with The ASEAN during our conversation. The co-founder and CEO of Ricult, an agricultural technology startup, has worked in the field since 2016. He launched the company alongside Usman Javaid, a fellow master’s student from … Agritech Startup Ricult: Built with Farmers, Rooted in Innovation