🌏 Quakes, Conferences, and Comebacks — Southeast Asia’s Defining Week
From Cebu’s tremor to ASEAN’s people power push, the region balanced crisis and collaboration.
Your curated wrap-up from The Southeast Asia Desk.
🇵🇭 Earthquake Rocks Cebu, Dozens Dead
A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Cebu, the Philippines, killing at least 69 and injuring more than 150. The disaster — the deadliest since 2013 — highlights the region’s fragile infrastructure and the urgent need for disaster preparedness across ASEAN’s quake-prone states. Read more
🇮🇩🇵🇭 Indonesia, Philippines Conduct Joint Maritime Training
The two nations launched “Philindo 2025,” their fourth joint naval exercise since 2022. Centered on maritime domain awareness and counter-illegal activities near Miangas Island, the drills reinforce security cooperation at one of Southeast Asia’s most sensitive sea borders. Read more
🇮🇩 Indonesia Regains Dubois Fossil Collection from the Netherlands
The Dutch government formally returned the “Dubois Collection” — some 28,000 prehistoric fossils, including Homo erectus remains from Java and Sumatra. The repatriation marks a milestone in restoring Indonesia’s cultural heritage and deepening bilateral trust. Read more
🇲🇾⚽ FIFA Hits Malaysia with Heavy Sanctions
FIFA has fined the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) CHF 350,000 and banned seven naturalized players for using forged documents to play in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers . Read more
🌏 ASEAN for the Peoples Conference Debuts in Jakarta
Civil society organizations across Southeast Asia gathered for the inaugural ASEAN for the Peoples Conference (AFPC), hosted by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI). The event aimed to amplify grassroots voices and foster a people-centered ASEAN Vision 2045. Read more
✊ ASEAN for the People: Civil Society Takes the Stage
As ASEAN grapples with legitimacy and inclusiveness, activists and academics at AFPC called for stronger civic participation, transparency, and shared accountability between governments and citizens. Read more
☕ Weekend Brew: 🎓 Center for Southeast Asia Studies to Launch Hasjim Djalal Digital Archive
The Center for Southeast Asia Studies (CSEAS) announced it will soon launch the Hasjim Djalal’s Archives — a comprehensive digital collection of Indonesia’s most influential maritime diplomat. Read more
🪧 Editorial Note
From street protests to academic roundtables, this week reminded us that ASEAN’s real energy comes not from communiqués, but from its people — students, workers, activists, and everyday citizens shaping the region’s future from the ground up.
✨ Stories to linger over, one week at a time.
(QOB/ELS)