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—held 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, including:
- 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
Local government officials and representatives from the Pampanga municipal council also participated, underscoring the shared commitment to sustainability and regional cooperation.
The event commemorated the UN Day of the Galleon, which honors the historic 1565 voyage of the first Manila Galleon to Acapulco, Mexico—an expedition that launched over 250 years of trans-Pacific trade and cultural exchange. This shared maritime legacy continues to strengthen the bonds among Southeast Asian nations through enduring 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 transformed a centuries-old connection into a call for collective environmental responsibility. Over 200 volunteers from various sectors joined the ASEAN representatives in planting 200 seedlings of native guava and achuete, symbolizing the Mama Sita Foundation’s commitment to biodiversity, sustainability, and the preservation of local food systems.
Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino highlighted the spirit of unity and stewardship in his remarks:
“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 urged ASEAN nations to move “from galleons to greenways,” bridging the past and future through shared environmental action.
Through this meaningful initiative, the Mama Sita Foundation reaffirms its mission to connect heritage with sustainability — preserving traditional foodways while protecting the land that nurtures them. By fostering partnerships among ASEAN communities, farmers, and environmental advocates, MSF continues the legacy of its founder, Teresita “Mama Sita” Reyes, whose vision of promoting Filipino cuisine has always gone hand in hand with caring for nature and empowering those who cultivate it.
