The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1 (CHED RO1) is spearheading Timpuyog ti Amianan 2026: ASEAN Conference and Competition, bringing together higher education institutions (HEIs) from across Northern Luzon at the University of Northern Philippines on October 5–6, 2026.
Hosted by UNP, the two-day gathering organized by CHED RO1 is in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Ilocos Sur Community College, and the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur. It features a conference and a series of competitions that provide participating HEIs with platforms to promote ASEAN awareness, exchange knowledge and best practices, showcase cultural heritage and student talents, and forge stronger partnerships in the region.
During the morning session on the opening day, UNP President Dr. Erwin Cadorna formally welcomed delegates from 30 participating higher education institutions (HEIs), expressing appreciation for the guests and institutional leaders whose continued support has helped advance Timpuyog ti Amianan as a unified regional initiative promoting cooperation and engagement among higher education institutions.
He likewise expressed his strong commitment to sustain excellence, collaboration, and regional partnership, urging participating institutions to build on their shared efforts toward a more cohesive higher education community in Northern Luzon. Addressing CHED and the participating HEIs, Dr. Cadorna called for continued collective action, saying, “To our partners from CHED and to all participating HEIs from Northern Luzon, let us continue to strengthen our Timpuyog.” Through this call, he emphasized the importance of unity and sustained collaboration in advancing initiatives that benefit higher education institutions and the communities they serve.
Dr. Danilo B. Bose, Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED RO1, expressed his appreciation to the participating higher education institutions for their continued support of Timpuyog ti Amianan 2026. He recalled the success of last year’s gathering in San Carlos City, Pangasinan, and noted that the same strong spirit of cooperation and support was evident in this year’s event. Bose further encouraged the delegates to celebrate the collective achievement setting an enthusiastic tone for the two-day conference.
Meanwhile, Hon. Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), represented by Ms. Lerie Queyquep-Huelgas, Acting Head of the DFA Consular Office in Candon, shared insights on regional stability and diplomacy, highlighting the importance of active leadership, coordination, and cooperation within the ASEAN framework. Her presentation emphasized the role of higher education institutions and regional stakeholders in promoting greater understanding and collaboration in support of ASEAN goals.
On “One Ilocos Sur, One Education and Learning,” Hon. Jeremias Singson, Governor of the Province of Ilocos Sur, was represented by Dr. Roel Palo Anicas, Administrator of Ilocos Sur Community College, who emphasized the vital role of education in shaping the province’s future. He stressed that investing in education means investing in the long-term progress and development of Ilocos Sur and its people.
Meanwhile, Mr. Benjamin “Bingo” Manahan Jr., Regional Director of the Department of Tourism, discussed “Navigating the Future of Tourism,” highlighting the importance of empowering the next generation to help build a sustainable and ASEAN-connected Region 1. He presented the DOT’s Local Tourism Development Plans and highlighted the value of integrating students’ ideas and innovative solutions into tourism development. He also cited initiatives such as the Student Innovation: Tourism Start-up Challenge Region 1, which encourages young people to contribute creative ideas and entrepreneurial solutions to the tourism industry.
For her part, Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director of the Commission on Higher Education’s International Affairs Service, presented “Navigating the Way Forward: CHED’s ASEAN Higher Education Agenda.” She discussed efforts to align Philippine higher education institutions with the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Higher Education toward Vision 2045, a transformative regional agenda that prioritizes the development of future-ready skills, cross-border research mobility, and digital transformation. The initiative aims to enhance the responsiveness of Philippine higher education to emerging regional needs while expanding opportunities for collaboration and innovation across ASEAN.
Dr. Milabel Enriquez-Ho, President of the ASEAN Quality Assurance Network, also served as a resource speaker through a virtual lecture on “Strengthening Quality Assurance in Integrated ASEAN Higher Education.” She discussed regional initiatives aimed at establishing common standards, setting strategic priorities, and advancing quality assurance mechanisms across ASEAN higher education institutions.
Dr. Enriquez-Ho concluded her presentation with “Advancing Excellence Through Regional Synergy,” emphasizing the importance of sustained regional cooperation in building a resilient, interconnected, and trusted higher education area in Southeast Asia. Her discussion highlighted the role of quality assurance in promoting academic excellence, strengthening institutional collaboration, and the promotion of greater confidence in the region’s higher education systems.
Leaders of participating institutions formalized their commitment to regional cooperation through the ceremonial digital signing of a Memorandum of Understanding involving the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 1, the Department of Tourism Regional Office 1, and participating higher education institutions in Region 1. The agreement institutionalizes a government-industry-academe partnership aimed at strengthening tourism and hospitality education, promoting collaborative initiatives, and preparing students with competencies responsive to the evolving needs of the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, CESO III, in her message talked on the foundational role of the Timpuyog Initiative in translating institutional commitments into concrete and sustained action. She emphasized that the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding should not be viewed as the culmination of a partnership but as the starting point for meaningful collaboration. As she aptly put it, “An MOU is a beginning, not an end.”
Dr. Ancheta-Diego explained that the initiative seeks to move partnerships beyond formal agreements toward active and measurable collaboration through the coordinated implementation of programs and initiatives. She highlighted the importance of united efforts among participating institutions in turning commitments into tangible outcomes, thereby giving greater substance and impact to the Timpuyog Initiative.
Following the morning session, the Timpuyog ti Amianan 2026 continued with a series of simultaneous competitions and activities held in the University on October 5–6. The activities featured the talents, knowledge, creativity, and collaborative spirit of participating higher education institutions through the ASEAN Friendship Ambassador Competition, ASEAN Educators for Global Citizenship Challenge, ASEAN Culinary Showcase: Ube Reimagined, ASEAN Cultural Dance Competition, ASEAN Debate Cup, ASEAN Duet Singing Competition, and ASEAN Mobility Experience Challenge.
The two-day gathering brought together representatives from 30 higher education institutions in Region 1 namely: Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, Divine Word College of Vigan, Divine Word College of Laoag, Ilocos Sur Community College–Bantay, Northwestern University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran Manaoag, Lorma Colleges, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, La Union Colleges of Science and Technology, Inc., Lyceum-Northwestern University, Mariano Marcos State University, Metro-Dagupan Colleges, NICOSAT Colleges, Inc., Osias Educational Foundation, Inc., Panpacific University, Pangasinan Polytechnic College, Pangasinan State University, University of Luzon College of Pangasinan, Philippine College of Northwestern Luzon, Philippine College of Science and Technology, Saint John Bosco College of Northern Luzon, Inc., Saint Louis College of San Fernando La Union, St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur, Union Christian College, Unibersidad de Dagupan, University of Eastern Pangasinan, University of Luzon, University of Northern Philippines, Urdaneta City University, and Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation.
The diverse lineup of activities provided the participating institutions with platforms to showcase their academic abilities, cultural heritage, creativity, and student leadership while reinforcing the spirit of timpuyog—or unity and collective action—among higher education institutions in Northern Luzon.
