The Philippines in Asean

This book is the first comprehensive analysis of the Philippines’ contribution to the development of the Southeast Asian region. Jun Abad draws from his fifteen years of work experience in the ASEAN Secretariat, where he occupied various positions in the areas of external relations, regional security, political cooperation, public affairs, and socio-cultural cooperation. He leads the reader through the dynamic changes undergone by ASEAN since the founding of the organization in 1967 until its adoption of a Charter forty years later.

Dr. Wilfrido V. Villacorta
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN
Former ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General


There is a serious gap in the literature about the Philippines as a member state of ASEAN. Jun Abad’s The Philippines in ASEAN: Reflections from the Listening Room is a noteworthy contribution towards narrowing this gap as it also highlights the country’s significant contributions to ASEAN particularly in its current project of building the ASEAN Community. This is a ‘must read’ piece of work for any serious student of ASEAN and regional affairs. A very thoughtful work.

Carolina G. Hernandez, PhD
Founding President
Institute for Strategic and Development Studies
Professor Emeritus, University of the Philippines



This book, The Philippines in ASEAN: Reflections from the Listening Room, is essentially about the Philippine role in ASEAN, particularly in terms of human rights, regional security, and economic integration. However, it is also a veritable mini-history of ASEAN – from the Philippine point of view, but also from the standpoint of a 15-year veteran of the ASEAN Secretariat. It is thus a valuable addition to the meager works reflecting both an insider’s view of ASEAN and an account of important aspects of contemporary Philippine history.

Ambassador Rodolfo C. Severino, Jr.
Former ASEAN Secretary-General and
Philippine Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs

Jun Abad's seminal work, The Philippines in ASEAN: Reflections from the Listening Room, not only gives us an up-close-and-personal view of a quick history of the dynamics and processes of ASEAN, but also reveals the brand of Philippine diplomacy that has helped shaped the regional community that it is today and still aspires to be. An easy, but robust read for every “Aseanite” and those of us in civil society engaging ASEAN.

Gus Miclat
Executive Director
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)