(AseanAll) — The Philippines welcomed the spouses of ASEAN Foreign Ministers to Cebu through a cultural tour that highlighted the city’s rich history, vibrant creative industries, and living traditions, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Ministers’ Meeting Retreat, on 29 January 2026.
PH DFA Assistant Secretary Rhenita B. Rodriguez, as the Philippines’ Spouses Program Representative, led the program attended by Foreign Ministers’ spouses Mme. Vadsana Phomvihane of Lao PDR and Mme. Varaporn Phuangketkeow of Thailand. They were also joined by Mme. Weeree Thitipoonya, Mme. Fides Herrera Lim, Mme. Mary Joy Ann Tuaño, and ASEAN National Organizing Council (NOC) Deputy Director General Angela N. Javier.
Recognized as the “cradle of Christianity” in the Philippines and designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Design, Cebu offers a unique blend of heritage and innovation. From centuries-old religious sites and colonial-era structures to thriving creative hubs and artisanal communities, the tour highlighted the city’s evolution and its dynamic vibrance at the forefront of design, culture, and sustainability.
The tour began with visits to historical sites, including Fort San Pedro, Magellan’s Cross where Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival welcomed the spouses, and Basilica Minore del Santo Niño Church, where guests were introduced to key milestones of Philippine history. During the visit, the spouses were presented with Spanish-inspired umbrellas and fans, adding a thoughtful cultural touch to the experience.
Sinulog, a dance rooted from precolonial traditions that symbolizes the rhythmic flow of the sulog, or river current, was performed to welcome the guests. The program also featured a brief reenactment of the first baptism and the planting of the wooden cross at Magellan’s Cross.
Also part of the itinerary was a visit to the Casa Gorordo Museum, the ancestral home of Cebu’s first Filipino bishop, whose interior showcased a unique bahay-na-bato (house of stone) architecture, and local craftsmanship definitive of Cebu's identity.
The guests later enjoyed lunch at Anzani Restaurant, where Filipino dishes were presented through contemporary culinary techniques, highlighting the creativity and evolving character of Filipino cuisine.
The tour continued at the Chocolate Chamber by Raquel Choa, Cebu’s renowned “Chocolate Queen”, a family home now transformed into a thriving artisanal chocolate production space. Ms. Choa personally shared her humbling journey of transforming her passion into a globally recognized enterprise, producing artisanal chocolates and the beloved local hot chocolate, known as sikwate, made from locally sourced cacao.
The group’s final stop was at Atua Midtown Creative Hub which featured Cebu’s finest artisans and designers with variety products ranging from wellness essentials, accessories, clothing, home decors, stationaries, and more.
As a gesture of appreciation for their participation in the tour, DFA Assistant Secretary Rodriguez presented a customized ukulele crafted in Cebu to Mme. Vadsana Phomvihane (Lao PDR), and Mme. Varaporn Phuangketkeow (Thailand).
Through this cultural engagement, the Philippines hopes to deepen mutual understanding and friendship among ASEAN spouses, while showcasing Cebu as a bridge between tradition and modernity and a reflection of the shared values of unity, creativity, and collective progress that resonate deeply with ASEAN.
