As the Philippines takes the chairmanship of the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, the country once again takes center stage in advancing regional cooperation and diplomacy.
In line with this milestone, get to know Narciso G. Reyes and Rodolfo C. Severino Jr., the two Filipino diplomats who served as ASEAN Secretary-General and helped shape the organization's development and regional engagement.
NARCISO G. REYES: The first Filipino ASEAN Secretary-General
Narciso G. Reyes became the fourth Secretary-General of ASEAN, serving from July 1, 1980, to July 1, 1982.
A Filipino diplomat, Reyes was the first representative of the Philippines to hold the position. His appointment came 13 years after ASEAN was established in 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
During his tenure, Reyes oversaw the organization's continuing development and the coordination of its regional activities. He also served during a period when ASEAN was strengthening its institutional structure and expanding cooperation among its member countries.
One of the significant milestones during his term was the formal inauguration of the ASEAN Secretariat building in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 9, 1981, which provided the organization with a permanent administrative center.
Before becoming ASEAN Secretary-General, Reyes held several diplomatic and international positions, including serving as Philippine Ambassador and Chairman of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Executive Board.
RODOLFO C. SEVERINO JR.: The second Filipino to hold the position
Nearly 18 years after Reyes, another Filipino diplomat, Rodolfo C. Severino Jr., became the 10th Secretary-General of ASEAN, serving from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2002.
Severino assumed the position during a challenging period for Southeast Asia, as the region dealt with the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis and continued regional integration.
During his leadership, ASEAN underwent significant developments, including the expansion of its membership with the admission of Laos and Myanmar in 1997 and Cambodia in 1999.
Before his appointment, Severino served in various diplomatic positions, including Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs, and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs.
Following his term, he continued contributing to regional studies and diplomacy as the founding head of the ASEAN Studies Centre at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) in Singapore.
Severino passed away on April 19, 2019, at the age of 82. His contributions to ASEAN were recognized by regional officials and institutions, who remembered him as a dedicated diplomat and advocate of regional cooperation.
Their legacy in ASEAN
Reyes and Severino remain important figures in Philippine diplomatic history as the first and second Filipinos to serve as ASEAN Secretary-General, respectively.
Their leadership helped strengthen the Philippines' presence in regional affairs and demonstrated the country's contribution to ASEAN's institutional development and regional cooperation.
Their service also reflects the Philippines' longstanding involvement in ASEAN, from being one of its five founding members in 1967 to continuing to take leadership roles in advancing regional unity and cooperation.
