Davao del Sur State College (DSSC) and the Consulate General of Indonesia in Davao City held a business collaboration meeting in the morning of March 18, 2025. DSSC President Dr. Augie E. Fuentes welcomed the guests, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in economic and academic growth and expressing her desire for a more collaborative opportunities with the institution’s partners in Bali, Indonesia. Indonesian Consul for Economic Affairs, Novita S.D. Supit, also gave a message before discussions formally began. The meeting focused on exploring opportunities for cooperation, particularly in bamboo enterprise development. With DSSC’s e-Bamboo Hub leading local innovations, both parties discussed possible knowledge-sharing initiatives and market linkages.

In the afternoon, a public forum on Indonesia’s soft power diplomacy in Mindanao took place. Indonesian Consul General Hon. Agus Trenggono delivered a message highlighting the shared history and cultural ties between Indonesia and the southern Philippines. Ms. Umi Yanti Fabriana Silalahi, Consul for Information, Social & Cultural Affairs, gave a lecture on Indonesia’s history, culture, and language, explaining how these elements shape diplomatic efforts. The lecture touched on the significance of the Bahasa Indonesia language, which shares linguistic similarities with some local dialects in Mindanao, reinforcing historical exchanges between the two regions. DSSC’s Culture, Arts, and Humanities Research Center Head, Sheruel G. Matalangdan, MPA, DiSDS, followed with a presentation on Indonesian tradition and local cultural collaborations.

The back-to-back events reinforced the long-standing relationship between Indonesia and Mindanao, Philippines. Discussions throughout the day highlighted potential partnerships in education, business, and cultural exchange. With shared traditions and historical connections as a foundation, both DSSC and the Indonesian consulate aim to strengthen cooperation for mutual growth. The event concluded with closing remarks from the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Siverlyn Camposano, and a token of appreciation ceremony, reinforcing the commitment to continued collaboration, handed by Dr. Fuentes and Dr. Camposano.