(Jakarta, 18 May 2021) – Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Leehiong T. Wee, presented two “bulul” artworks to the ASEAN Secretariat Art Gallery during a handover ceremony with Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, H.E. Tran Duc Binh, Director Lee Yoong Yoong and Assistant Director Romeo Arca, Community & Corporate Affairs Department, ASEAN Secretariat, and Philippine Permanent Representative to ASEAN, H.E. Noel Servigon.

Amb. Wee expressed appreciation for the ASEAN Secretariat's gracious acceptance of his personal gift. Bululs are wooden figures carved by the Ifugao tribe in the Philippines’ Northern Luzon, used to guard and multiply their rice crop. The sculptures are highly stylized representations of ancestors and are thought to give power and wealth from the presence of the ancestral spirit. Amb. Wee had the pleasure of presenting these two artworks that are part of Philippine indigenous culture, to be displayed in the art gallery of the ASEAN Secretariat.

The bululs are the 7th cultural artwork presented by the Philippines to the ASEAN Secretariat.

(Photo credits: A. Araque / JPE)