ASEAN Representatives and Mama Sita Foundation Celebrate UN Día del Galeón with Coconut Tree Planting at ASEAN Plaza

Mexico, Pampanga — October 8, 2025. In celebration of the United Nations’ Día del Galeón, the Mama Sita Foundation (MSF), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Philippine culinary heritage and agricultural sustainability, hosted a symbolic tree planting ceremony at the Mama Sita’s Agri-Learning Center in Mexico, Pampanga.

Leading the initiative was His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Ambassador of Malaysia and 2025 ASEAN Chair, who planted early-bearing coconut trees at the ASEAN Plaza of the Agri-Learning Center. 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 also took part in the planting, symbolizing the spirit of collaboration between local and regional partners for sustainable development.

The activity commemorated the UN Day of the Galleon, marking the historic voyage in 1565 when the first Manila Galleon reached Acapulco, Mexico — an event that launched 250 years of trans-Pacific trade and cultural exchange. This shared maritime heritage continues to unite Southeast Asian nations through deep ties of history, culture, and commerce.

With the theme “From Galleons to Greenways: Honoring Our Shared Maritime Heritage through Environmental Action and ASEAN Solidarity,” the celebration sought to turn this legacy of connection into collective environmental action. More than 200 volunteers from various sectors joined the ASEAN representatives in planting 200 seedlings of native guava and achuete, reflecting MSF’s advocacy for biodiversity and sustainable food systems.

Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines H.E. Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino emphasized the event’s message of 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 said, calling on ASEAN nations to move “from galleons to greenways” in pursuit of a more sustainable and harmonious future.

Through this initiative, the Mama Sita Foundation reaffirms its commitment to bridging heritage and sustainability — from preserving traditional foodways to nurturing the land that sustains them. By fostering partnerships among ASEAN communities, farmers, and advocates, MSF continues to honor the legacy of its founder, Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes, whose vision of promoting Filipino cuisine goes hand in hand with caring for the environment and empowering those who cultivate it.