At the recent ASEAN Science and Technology Week (ASTW) celebration, ministers or their representatives met in Manila in July this year. The country's national costume (barong tagalog) were given as tokens to the various ministers through a project of the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).These barongs were made of piña liniwan by the finest weavers of Aklan, hand-embroidered by Lumban crafts persons with distinctive designs of Anthony Cruz-Legarda and dipped in natural plant dyes by the technicians of the PTRI.

The barongs were worn by them at the opening ceremonies of the 8th ASTW celebration in July 7, 2008 which was held at the World Trade Center, Manila. These barongs were not only dyed but also embroidered using natural dyed silk threads, with desings inspired by the mythical characters or symbols of each country. Brunei's was in old rose from coco husk embroidered with their crescent moon symbol; Cambodia's in talisay yellow with their royal crest embroidery; Indonesia;s barong was dyed in mayana yellow green with garuda embroidery, Laos' had an achuete orange hue designed with their three headed elephant; Myanmar's was in a duhatbeige barong adorned with their mythic man-lion, Malaysia had on a mahogany reddish brown one with the tiger embroidery, Singapore's was in a natural shade with merlion adornment, Thailand'd had an ebony hue from talisay with their garuda symbol on it; Vietnam's was in light blue indigo sporting the dragon design while the ASEAN Secretary General was in mayana green embossed with the ASEAN logo. Secretary Alabastro of the DOST representing the Philippines was in a talisay yellow muslim-inspired dress.

This year the Philippines through the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) was the host of the 8th ASEAN Science and Technology Week Celebration which also coincided with the 50th anniversary of DOST and the annual celebration of National Science and Technology Week (NSTW).

The ASEAN Science and Technology Week is one of the major and continuing undertakings in ASEAN S&T cooperation. It aims to promote science and technology development in the region by creating greater awareness of S&T, developing an S&T culture, as well as providing a medium for participation and collaboration in regional S&T programs. The ASTW is held every three years and hosting is rotated among ASEAN member countries. (Malu A. Flores, PTRI Media Service)