6th Southeast Asian Biennial Conference May 8-9, 2014

Religion, Values, Identity and the ASEAN Integration DLSU, SBC, UST
Manila, Philippines
Culture, Values and Identity
as Key Elements of ASEAN Integration
Jove Jim S. Aguas, Ph.D.
University of Santo Tomas

Introduction

There are global transformations and emerging realities that are redefining the world
order today. These emerging global transformations and realities are commonly referred to as
geopolitical realities because they a e a ho ed o the o ld’s geopoliti al st u tu e.
Geopoliti s efe s to the interaction between geographical settings and perspectives, and
i te atio al politi s. 1 In its broadest sense, geopolitics includes the physical, economic, socio-
cultural and political spatial features, patterns and lines of connection 2 of socio-political entities
particularly nations and regions. Hence, although such interaction is labeled as geopolitical, in
reality such interaction transcends and cuts across contextual boundaries because it also
permeates the cultural, political, economic, social and technological contextual boundaries.
Certainly, geopolitics influences the interdependence and interrelations of these geographical
and political entities and modifies the interactions of peoples and societies. Isolation is a thing
of the past, the trend now is to interconnect and form larger geopolitical groupings out of
smaller and independent entities.

This trend has been manifested in the two offshoots of geopolitical transformation,
namely, globalization and integration. However, while the interconnection brought about by
globalization and integration has produced certain advancement in technology, economics and
commerce, it has also been suspected of being the cause of domination and manipulation of
smaller and weaker entities, especially of the marginalized, like the indigenous peoples.
Globalization and integration are regarded as vehicles merely of economic advancements and
as instruments for advancing the political interests of the more dominant political or social
entity, like the economically advanced states or nations - the first world. Some aspects of
human society particularly cultures, traditions and values are compromised in the name of
economic advancement and political influence. Many look at these global transformations with
suspicion. However, it is a fact that these realities are already affecting many sectors of human
society and there is no other recourse but to deal with them, to understand their nature and
impact on human society. Here is Southeast Asia the focus now is on the ASEAN Integration
projected to be attained come 2015.

The focus of this paper is the ASEAN Integration and the diverse cultures and identities
of Southeast Asian region. Many questions are being raised especially about the implication

1
S.B. Cohen, The 2002 Annual Political Geography Lecture: Geopolitical Realities and United States
Foreign Policy, Political Geography 22 (2003) 1–33.
2
See S.B. Cohen, The 2002 Annual Political Geography Lecture: Geopolitical Realities and United States
Foreign Policy
Culture, Identity and ASEAN Integration Jove Jim S. Aguas

and impact of this scenario on the different aspects of human life and society in this part of the
globe.3 One concern is its impact of the values, culture and identities of Southeast Asian
peoples and societies. Although Asians share many things is common, Southeast Asia is one of
the most diverse regions in this part of the globe, not only in terms of political and economic
settings but also in terms of culture and religions. The question now is not just about the impact
of integration on the culture, values and identity of Southeast Asian peoples and societies but
also the role or significance of culture, values and identity to such integration. This paper will
put forward the assertion that since Southeast Asia is a culturally diverse region and each
geographical sector has its own identity, the interrelations of these diverse cultures and
identifies should be made a key framework of the ASEAN Integration. But how do we make it a
key framework of ASEAN Integration? That is one question that this paper will attempt to
answer.

The ASEAN Integration

The ASEAN Paragon or Integration is not the first of its kind, because there are others of
this kind like the European Union. According to its Roadmap, the goal of the ASEAN Integration
is the building an ASEAN Community by 2015 (previously 2020). The Roadmap mentions three
pillars of this ASEAN Community, namely, political-security, economic and socio-cultural. These
pilla s a e closely intertwined and mutually reinforcing for the purpose of ensuring durable
peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region. 4

During the 13th ASEAN Summit held in Singapore on November 20, 2007, the ASEAN
leaders agreed to develop the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint, one of the
three blueprints representing the three pillars. The primary goal of the ASCC is to form an
ASEAN Community that is people-centred and socially responsible with a view to achieving
enduring solidarity and unity among the nations and peoples of ASEAN by forging a common
identity and building a caring and sharing society which is inclusive and harmonious where the
well-being, livelihood, and welfare of the peoples are enhanced. 5 It is the intention therefore
of the Socio-Cultural Community to provide a human face and social character to the ASEAN
Community. Through this Socio-cultural Community, the ASEAN Integration will not just be an
economic and political integration, a social and cultural one.

3
They are many questions and challenges to this ASEAN Integration, politically and security-wise, there is
a significant political instability in the region, not just among the member-nations but even with the neighboring
nations and regions, the most crucial being the claim of China over a large portion of territory – the Spratlys -
being claimed individually by ASEAN member-nations. Economically, there is a wide gap between the economies
of member-nations. Culturally, we consider this region as one of the most diverse.
4
Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015, p. 1. http://www.aseansec.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/06/RoadmapASEANCommunity-2.pdf
5
Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015, p. 67. RoadmapASEANCommunity-2.pdf

2
Culture, Identity and ASEAN Integration Jove Jim S. Aguas

According to the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community, the ASCC shall e characterized
by a culture of regional resilience, adherence to agreed principles, spirit of cooperation,
olle ti e espo si ility; it shall promote human and social development, respect for
fundame tal f eedo s, ge de e uality; it shall also o k fo the promotion and protection
of human rights and the promotion of social justice. 6

One of the goals of the ASCC is promotion of the ASEAN Identity.7 This ASEAN identity
shall be the asis of “outheast Asia’s egio al i te ests and the collective personality, norms,
values and beliefs and aspirations as one community. To attain this end the ASEAN shall
promote greater awareness and common values in the spirit of unity in diversity at all levels of
society.8 One key element of this is respecting the different cultures, languages, and religions
of the peoples of ASEAN, emphasizing their common values in the spirit of unity in diversity and
to adopt them to present realities, opportunities and challenges. 9

One of the strategic objectives is to reate a sense of belonging, consolidate unity in

diversity and enhance deeper mutual understanding among ASEAN Member States about their
culture, history, religion, and civilization. This can be done by encouraging the deepening of
understanding and tolerance among the peoples of ASEAN through interfaith dialogue and
ensuring adequate exposure of these events in the media. Another strategic objective is the
promotion of the conservation and preservation of ASEAN cultural heritage to ensure its
continuity to enhance awareness and understanding of the people about the unique history of
the region and the cultural similarities and differences between and among ASEAN Member
States as well as to protect the distinctiveness of ASEAN cultural heritage as a whole.10

These objectives and goals are certainly laudable and they look very promising, at least
in the documents. But these are easier said than done, especially when the main focus is on
the other pillars, namely the economic and political. It seems that the main objective of this
integration is economic than social or cultural. While the economic community is quite focus
and ready to implement its programs there are certain socio-cultural and political issues that
must be addressed because they are important factors in the ASEAN Integration. They pose
either as challenges or as hindrances/obstacles to this ASEAN Integration. From the political
aspect there are the issues about political instability or unrest in many ASEAN countries,

6
Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015, p. 67. http://www.aseansec.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/06/RoadmapASEANCommunity-2.pdf
7
The other characteristics are: Human Development, Social Welfare and Protection, Social Justice and
Rights, Environmental Sustainability, and Narrowing the Development Gap.
8
Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015, p. 87. http://www.aseansec.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/06/RoadmapASEANCommunity-2.pdf
9
Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015, p. 67. http://www.aseansec.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/06/RoadmapASEANCommunity-2.pdf
10
Roadmap for an ASEAN Community 2009-2015, p. 88. http://www.aseansec.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/06/RoadmapASEANCommunity-2.pdf

3
Culture, Identity and ASEAN Integration Jove Jim S. Aguas

questions of political legitimacy and graft and corruption just to cite a few. From the socio-
cultural aspects there are issues about poverty and unequal distribution of wealth, human
trafficking which actually fuel social unrest. There is also the issue about cultural differences
especially in terms of religious and cultural practices. The question now is how we should deal
with all these issues because they are actually more basic and fundamental than the economic.
They affect significantly the economic aspect of this ASEAN paragon or integration. The cultural
diversity and different identities of the Southeast Asian regions could either pose as an obstacle
or it could be the source of strength of this integration. This is the real challenge of ASEAN
Integration, how to make this cultural diversity a focal point, a key framework of ASEAN
Integration.

The Asian Cultures and Identity

The Asians are the most diversified of all people and the cultural diversity of Asia is
greater than that of any continent. Asians are diverse in terms of ethnic origins, cultures,
religions and languages. However, Asians also share some common characteristics; they are
deeply spiritual and they acknowledge their close relationship and affinity with the divine and
spiritual being. Consequently they are more inclined towards the spiritual rather than the
material. Life is related to the spi itual a d is e aluated i te s of a ’s elatio ship ith the
Divine. Asians are deeply religious; every aspect of their lives is given or acquires some
religious meaning and roots. Religion becomes the outward expression of their deep
spirituality. The deep spi ituality a d eligiosity a e o ple e ted y the Asia s peoples’
inwardness. Asians have the common tendency to look into their inner selves, through
introspection and meditation. While material possessions are important, the purification of the
inner self or the soul is much more important. And lastly, Asians share a great affinity and
respect for nature. Nature is the source of life and therefore must be preserved. Nature is
something that should not be controlled or manipulated. Asians would rather commune and be
one with nature.

But, although Asians share the same values and outlook in life, they differ in
expressions; they differ in terms of how they manifest these values and outlook in life. This is
the root of their cultural diversity, in their cultural expressions. Such diversity and multiplicity of
cultural expressions is manifested in their religious practices and rituals, in their languages, in
their artistic expressions and works, in their literatures, in their music, and many others. These
different expressions give rise to the multiplicity of cultural identities of Asians.

Asian cultural diversity is first manifested in the Asian languages and religions. Asia is
the birthplace of all major and some minor religions of the world. Southwest Asia is the cradle
of three great monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In East Asia, Ancient
Chinese religious and philosophical traditions survive in the form of two main schools, Taoism

4
Culture, Identity and ASEAN Integration Jove Jim S. Aguas

and Confucianism. In South East Asia religion and animism are still intertwined in terms of both
medical approaches and ritual offerings to spirits and ancestors.
The South East Asian Region

In Asia, perhaps the most diverse region is the South East Asian Region. This region is
composed of Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam
Laos, Cambodia and East Timor.11 This diversity is very much evident in its geography; it is
conventionally divided into two cultural, linguistic, and geographic regions: a. Mainland
Southeast Asia - the countries of Thailand, Laos, Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam; b. Insular
Southeast Asia - the island or peninsular countries of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the
Philippines, East Timor.12

South East Asia, like the whole of Asia represents ethnic types and linguistic systems
that have evolved over long periods of time in separated homelands. South East Asian cultures
have evolved through repeated patterns of modification and intermixture. These cultural
modifications have been brought about either by ecological changes, or by peaceful and
militant migration resulting to either diffusion or acculturation. Just like the rest of Asia, South
East Asia had become highly diversified ethnic and linguistic mosaics where we can find a
combination of overlapping elements. Hence some cultural practices and values are common
among South East Asian cultures and peoples.

But apart from the diversity of its physical landscapes, ethnic types and linguistic
systems, it is a community of divergent identities based on its religions; there are five main
religions in the region: Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Confucianism. The region
has also been under colonial rule for a long time resulting into a unique blending of foreign
influences and local practices. But the uniqueness of this region is not only a result of its
colonial past, its u i ue ess has been catalyzed by internal disorder posed by an array of
historic and emerging risks on ethno-cultural disputes and rivalries. 13

Diversity of Cultures and Identity As Key Framework of Integration

11
Except for East Timor, these nations form the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, which
was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok
Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam then joined on January 7, 1984, Viet Nam on July 28, 1995, Lao PDR (Laos) and Myanmar on
July 23, 1997, and Cambodia on April 30, 1999, making up what is today the ten Member States of ASEAN.
http://www.asean.org/asean/about-asean
12
Susan Russell. Political and Cultural Geography of Southeast Asia.
http://www.seasite.niu.edu/crossroads/russell/seageog.htm
13
Thanawat Pimoljinda, Ethno-Cultural Diversity: A Challenging Parameter for ASEAN Regional
Integration. Public Administration In The Time Of Regional Change (ICPM 2013),p. 62. www.atlantis-
p ess. o php do load pape .php id

5
Culture, Identity and ASEAN Integration Jove Jim S. Aguas

The term "integration" is derived from the Latin adjective integer which means whole,
complete, unimpaired, hence "integration" points to a whole or the wholeness of a thing.
Integration however, does not just refer to the wholeness of a thing, more importantly it points
to the unity of the different parts. Integration therefore can be properly understood as the
harmony of complex and diverse parts or elements. Integration then is not the assembling of
disconnected part into a whole but rather the manifestation of a whole and a unity and
harmony that emerges from some complexity or diversity. Applying this to culture, the
integration of cultures emerges out of the diverse cultures of different peoples and societies.
Such integration must be characterized by harmony of these diverse cultures. Hence, while we
recognize the diversity of cultures in the Southeast Asian region a cultural integration is
possible if we can harmonize these diverse cultures. Only when there is harmony of these
diverse cultures can a common identity for the ASEAN community emerged. An ASEAN Identity
is yet to emerge and it can emerge out of the diverse cultures of its member-nations.

But how do we harmonize these diverse cultures, especially when cultural diversity is
also connected to different religious beliefs and practices aside from being closely related to
linguistic and ethnic systems? The Southeast Asian region is so unique but its uniqueness is not
based on a present common identity which people in all member-nations must share together.
It is unique because it is a configuration of religious, linguistic and ethnic cultural diversities
which is very natural in its geographical area. The Southeast Asian people are conscious of this
diversity; we do recognize that Filipinos are different Thais and other Southeast Asian people in
terms of religions and languages and other practices. But integration cannot just be on the
level of recognizing this diversity; it must aim towards harmonizing the diverse religious,
linguistic, ethnic and cultural elements.

In order to do this, we need look into what are the common values of Southeast Asian
peoples. South East Asian share common values, namely: close family ties and relationships,
respect for the elderly, strong spiritual orientations, deep connection to traditional past,
adherence to societal hierarchy and a deep personalism. These values often find expressions or
manifestations in the social, political and economic aspects of life. Politics is intricately personal
rather than policy-based; South East Asians are generally loyal to persons rather than
institutions. Alliances are built through economic rewards which is the hallmark of political
leadership and attraction of followers. Recognitions of personal debts (in Filipino "utang na
loob") are still highly significant in social interactions. South East Asians have a strong feeling
of gratitude and the need to repay a favor. These common values permeate the diversity of
cultures and these common values can be instrumental in harmonizing diverse cultures.
Southeast Asian people may have different cultural, linguistic and religious expressions and
practices, but definitely they share a common set of values. These common values can be the
basis for an ASEAN Identity. In order to recognize these common values a sustained and
meaningful intercultural and interfaith dialogues and social participation must be promoted.
The promotion therefore of an ASEAN Identity can be achieved through meaningful
intercultural and interfaith dialogues and active social participation.

6
Culture, Identity and ASEAN Integration Jove Jim S. Aguas

Now, the promotion of the recognition and respect of cultural diversity and the
promotion of harmony through common values must be on the level of the community. It must
emerge out of the common experiences of the peoples. Hence, the notion of community as a
sense of sharing and belonging must be promoted not at the government level but it must be
aimed at peoples themselves. Interfaith and intercultural dialogues and social participation and
cooperation must be on the community level, that is, on the level of the people not just of the
governmental or technocratic level.

Final Remark

Integration must be understood as the harmonization of diverse elements; it is more

than the unity of all the diverse parts because unity leads to either uniformity or to the
exclusion the minor or small parts just so unity is achieve. In integration even the small parts
are given importance because they vital in the harmony of all the elements. If ASEAN
Integration is to be realistic and successful it must adapt such notion of integration.

Economic development, security and stability have always been the priority of human
societies. But we need to recognize that these things are anchored on unity, peace and
understanding. Peace and understanding are essential components of economic development,
political security and regional stability. Peace and understanding in the Southeast Asian Region
are certainly anchored on respect for cultural diversity and the recognition of common values.
The ASEAN Integration and the building of an ASEAN Community can only be possible if the
culture and values are recognized as key elements of such integration and community. Once
peaceful co-existence, harmony and goodwill of the Southeast Asian multi-cultural people with
rich and diverse heritage are recognized and promoted them the long-term economic
sustainability of ASEAN will be realized.