SDCA Hosts ASEAN VOYAGE 2026, Uniting CALABARZON Youth in Celebration of Regional Unity and Culture
St. Dominic College of Asia (SDCA), in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office IV (CHED CALABARZON), hosted the landmark regional summit VOYAGE 2026 (VOices of Young ASEAN Global Engagement: Connecting CALABARZON to the ASEAN Community) on September 1, 2026, at the SDCA Complex, Bacoor City, Cavite.
With the Institutional Linkages and Networking Office taking the lead, the whole-day gathering brought together academic leaders, youth delegates, and competitors from more than 500 finalists from over 370 higher education institutions across the CALABARZON region. The regional event was organized in commemoration of ASEANs 59th Founding Anniversary and aligned with the Philippines assumption of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 under the theme "Navigating Our Future, Together," highlighting key regional pillars of peace and security, prosperity corridors, and people empowerment.
The opening ceremonies set a diplomatic and collaborative tone for the festival. After the hosts formally acknowledged the participating delegations, warm welcome remarks were delivered by SDCA President Dr. Gregorio A. Andaman, Jr. The morning program featured high-level addresses, including opening remarks by H.E. Angelito A. Nayan, Charge dAffaires of the Philippine Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar, and CHED CALABARZON Regional Director Dr. Rogelio T. Galera, Jr., CESO III. The events Guest of Honor, H.E. Victorina Hesti Dewayani, Charge dAffaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Manila, delivered an inspiring speech underscoring cross-border solidarity, educational collaboration, and shared cultural bonds within Southeast Asia. The Panel of Judges was introduced by Dr. Pelagio C. Labang Jr., CHED RO IV-A ASEAN 2026 Program Committee Chair.
Following the formal ceremonies, the festival transitioned into a series of competitive events designed to showcase student mastery, artistic vision, and regional cultural heritage. Throughout the morning and afternoon, delegates competed across various venues in the ASEAN Poster Making Contest, the ASEAN Quest Quiz Bee, the vibrant ASEAN Food Festival, and dynamic ASEAN Cultural Presentations. The day reached its competitive peak with the ASEAN Ambassadors pageant, where student representatives showcased their talents, donned national costumes, and championed regional advocacy platforms.
The summit concluded with an awarding ceremony led by CHED ASEAN 2026 committee heads, recognizing outstanding delegations across all competitive categories, and closing remarks delivered by CHED Regional Office IV-A Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Freddie B. Bulauan. The successful staging of VOYAGE 2026 reaffirmed SDCAs dedication to internationalization and its role as a premier educational hub empowering future-ready ASEAN leaders.
