Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia will be attending a gala dinner in observance of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday, November 12, at the SMX Convention Center in Manila.

“This shows that Bacolod is being recognized as a big player in the ASEAN community,” he said. “I thank [President Rodrigo Duterte] for this great honor and privilege.”

Also expected at the gala are heads of state from the ASEAN member-nations, cabinet secretaries, senators, congressmen, mayors, among others.

“This is a singular honor for Bacolod,” Leonardia added.

Earlier this year, the city hosted the 15th meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI) at the SMX Convention Center at SM City Bacolod./WDJ