What makes us ASEAN?
Qualities that every member of this 10-nation bloc feels in his bones
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We protect our way of life
Kampong Ayer, a 600-year-old water village in Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan, is the world’s largest settlement on stilts. It comprises a cluster of villages linked by a 38km boardwalk.
Kampong Ayer, Brunei
Close to half of Brunei’s population called it home a century ago. Just 11,000 – two-per-cent of the country’s people – remain as inhabitants left for firmer ground.
Kampong Ayer, Brunei
Kampong Ayer’s vanishing way of life can be experienced at Kunyit 7 Lodge, a bed-and-breakfast in the water village. To get to this gem, catch one of the water taxis that ply the Brunei River.
Kampong Ayer, Brunei
We value our roots
Floating rice is the lifeblood of Kampong Thom in Cambodia. This crop doesn’t require chemicals or paddies. It is grown in fields submerged by the Tonle Sap Lake during seasonal flooding.
Kampong Thom province, Cambodia
Floating rice was what sustained the people of Cambodia before newer rice-growing methods were introduced. Kampong Thom is one of the few provinces in the country where it is still grown.
Kampong Thom province, Cambodia
Farmers are keeping this sustainable practice alive by passing their skills on to younger hands. They are not alone in their quest. In countries around the region, experts hope to turn floating rice into a commercial crop.
Kampong Thom province, Cambodia
We have a rosy outlook
Basic agriculture. Traditional art forms such as Silat and Sundanese dance. These are subjects that Geger Sunten Learning Centre, a school in a poor rural village in West Bandung, includes in its curriculum. Its aim: to make learning relevant.
Suntenjaya Village in West Bandung, Indonesia
But curriculum isn’t the only unique thing about Geger Sunten. The school owns a rose farm, and is partly funded by proceeds from the sale of the blooms.
Suntenjaya Villagein West Bandung, Indonesia
The school was started in 2006 by Madam Enung Mulyani and her late husband. The couple wanted to give the children an early boost, while also tackling the problems of poverty, illiteracy and child marriage.
Suntenjaya Village in West Bandung, Indonesia
We build connections
This is a tale of two cities and the friendly connection between them. On the right is Savannakhet in Laos and on the left lies Mukdahan in Thailand. Linking them is the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge that spans the mighty Mekong River.
Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet, Laos
The bridge has proven crucial to Savannakhet’s economic development. It connects people on either side with markets on the other. Savannakhet restaurant owner Vannasinh Phrasavat, for instance, shops for fresh ingredients in Mukdahan weekly.
Mukdahan city, Thailand
For people making their way to the other side, there is a quirk to deal with: Driving on the opposite side of the road. Still, this is an inconvenience that is easily embraced.
Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet, Laos
We look beyond differences
Kelantan, the cradle of Malay culture, is home to unexpected symbols of pluralism. One of these is the Silver Jubilee Mosque of Sultan Ismail Petra, or Beijing Mosque. Its architecture showcases Islam’s universality and inclusion.
Kelantan, Malaysia
Another sign of Kelantan’s multi-ethnic heritage: the Malaysian-Siamese enclave in Tumpat. Kelantan was part of Siam until 1909, and Tumpat is the ancestral home of the mainly Buddhist community. Temples in the area house majestic Buddha statues.
Kelantan, Malaysia
These temples are more than just about religion. They form the heart of the community, and are places where Siamese Malaysians socialise and get in touch with their roots.
Kelantan, Malaysia
We find solutions
Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, is dealing with a growing waste situation. Recycling has not taken root, and much of the 2,500 tonnes of waste generated daily end up in suburban dumps, like this one in Dala township.
Dala, Myanmar
Yangon’s garbage is Chu Chu Design’s treasure. The social enterprise is on a mission to promote recycling, reduce waste and create jobs for the locals. Its tools? A passion for making a difference as well as items that Chu Chu staff salvage from the Dala dump.
Dala, Myanmar
At the Chu Chu workshop, the trash is transformed into handicrafts that are sold at the Chu Chu gift shop. Prices for the handicrafts start from 2,000 Myanmar kyat (about S$2). The awareness brought to recycling: priceless.
Dala, Myanmar
We care about nature
Trouble is clogging this part of the Philippines. Used cooking oil dumped into sinks and drains is washing out into the open sea surrounding Barangay SaSa in Davao City.
Davao City, Philippines
The city has a new recipe for dealing with the issue: taking used cooking oil from F&B outlets and homes, and turning the grease into fuel for municipal vehicles.
Davao City, Philippines
The magic happens in the city’s biodiesel plant, the first of its kind in the Philippines. It gets 15,000 litres of oil every month, and produces enough biodiesel to power 150 rubbish trucks every day. There are also plans to introduce the clean fuel to the rest of the country.
Davao City, Philippines
We are prepared for the future
Singapore’s food-security research efforts ‘rice’ to the challenge with Temasek Rice. Developed by Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, it can survive adverse weather conditions and fungi attacks. Just what the region
needs to protect its rice bowl.
Singapore
From rice to very special black soldier flies: This insect may be key to Singapore's efforts in improving food security and managing food waste. So put down that swatter.
Singapore
Black soldier fly maggots are good bio-converters, and are being used in bio-recycling and sustainable food production. This project is funded by Temasek Foundation Ecosperity, and involves National University of Singapore researchers and farmers from Citizen Farm.
Singapore
We know that our lives aren't only about us
Meet Newstar. He is a resident at Soi Dog Foundation in Phuket, a shelter for strays. He was found traumatised on the streets – a victim of horrific abuse. A rubber band had been tied around his snout, injuring his jaw and mouth.
Phuket, Thailand
Abused dogs such as Newstar now have a human voice in Soi Dog Foundation. It was founded in 2003 to address Phuket’s stray dog issue and to improve animal welfare.
Phuket, Thailand
The canines may also find their dream job as guard dogs. A Thai tech start-up wants to fight crime with a special vest that the dogs can wear while patrolling the streets. The vest comes with a camera that starts recording when the dogs bark.
Phuket, Thailand
We don’t cave in to pressure
The green canopy of Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park in central Vietnam conceals an ancient spectacle – underground cave systems, some larger than skyscrapers.
Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park, Vietnam
The caves can only be accessed through tours organised by a sustainable tourism company. But these will push your limits. The Hang Tien cave tour, for instance, involves nine hours of trekking.
Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park, Vietnam
The prize of pushing onwards to Hang Tien? A chance to witness staggering beauty when you reach the cave. Don’t forget to catch your breath.
Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park, Vietnam
Celebrate the diversity of ASEAN with Channel NewsAsia's five-part travelogue, Tapestry: The Heart of ASEAN.
Catch the inspiring series online.
