Marcos and ASEAN Leaders Honor Myanmar Researcher Hla Hla Aung

“At 79 years of age, I have come to appreciate that time is our most precious asset, and how we choose to use it defines our legacy,” Hla Aung told globalnation.inquirer.net on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. presented the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Prize 2026 to the Myanmar researcher for her disaster resilience work at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Marcos joined ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn in awarding the trophy to Aung during the opening of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, as reported by VERA Files. The regional prize recognizes individuals or organizations advancing regional cooperation and community-building.

Initiated by ASEAN member states, the award receives support from Singapore’s Temasek Foundation and the Philippines’ Ayala Foundation. Aung is the ninth recipient of the honor since its establishment in 2018, receiving both the trophy and a $20,000 monetary prize.

Aung serves as a patron of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee and works as a geologist, researcher, and educator. Her efforts bridge scientific earthquake research with grassroots community empowerment across Myanmar and the wider Southeast Asian region.

“Her exemplary work is a testament to how an individual’s dedication, supported by collective action, can deliver positive change and contribute to Asean’s efforts to build a safer, more inclusive, and resilient future for the region,” Hourn said, according to globalnation.inquirer.net.

Officials said that her research enhanced earthquake preparedness and built local capacities for safer communities.

Aung reflected on her decades in science during the ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026.

“Throughout my journey as a geologist, researcher, educator, and above all, a mother, I have remained guided by the belief that knowledge must serve humanity,” Aung told globalnation.inquirer.net.

“I hope my journey will inspire others to transform their aspirations into meaningful actions that contribute to stronger, safer, and more resilient communities across Asean,” she added.