The Jordan Times 

AMMAN - Hip-swinging, umbrella-waving and muscle-flexing performances were among the cultural highlights at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Night 2010 on Saturday.

Hosted by five Southeast Asian embassies and held at the residence of Indonesian Ambassador in Amman Zainulbahar Noor, the event aimed to "commemorate the genuine friendship with our host [Jordan], and highlight how we will grow as enduring partners into the long future", Thai Ambassador to Jordan Isinthorn Sornvai said in his opening remarks.

Sornvai, who also serves as vice chair of the ASEAN committee in Amman, commended the association’s accomplishments over the last 43 years. ASEAN is made up of 10 member states, five of them with a diplomatic presence in the Kingdom.

In her opening address, HRH Princess Basma cited "fundamental values" such as "respect for sovereignty and equality" and "social progress and economic growth" that are the common denominators for both Jordan and ASEAN countries.

"Let us find inspiration in the principles which unite us, and in so doing, draw strength from the ASEAN spirit," she said, highlighting the "steady cooperation" between ASEAN countries and Jordan in trade, education, tourism and culture.

"Tonight we celebrate the close relationship between our countries," the Princess said.

Festivities kicked off with the ASEAN anthem - "ASEAN We Are One" - performed by ASEAN embassy staffers with ambassadors assuming the role of lead singers. If not pitch-perfect, the ballads were sung in perfect harmony.

Following the anthem, dancers, singers and actors from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Brunei took to the stage.

Philippine boys danced onto the stage to a wave of rhythms from hammering cups of coconuts plastered to their bodies while Malaysian women glided across the floor dressed in colourful gowns performing the traditional "Ulek Mayang" dance.