“It was CALD’s Tour de Force” – Acosta

This was how CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta described CALD’s 20^th Anniversary Dinner held on 9 November 2013 in the beautifully decorated Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel.  Acosta, who also served as one of the event’s masters of ceremonies together with former CALD Secretary General Bi-khim Hsiao, said that the gathering was “a testament to what CALD has achieved in the past twenty years and what more it can accomplish in the decades to come.”

CALD Chair Sam Rainsy welcomed the attendees to the dinner, and said that he was moved to see the founding members of CALD in the audience.  The highlight of the evening was the keynote address of CALD founding member and former CALD Chair, Butch Abad.  Abad, who also authored the CALD Charter, said that he was proud that throughout the years “CALD has become a crucial element in the global struggle for liberalism and democracy… It is the tapestry of our collective struggles to establish democracy and to make it work in our respective countries.  It is the hallmark of our belief that the free and democratic way of life is the Asian way of life.”

This achievement of CALD was captured in the 20 exhibit panels that surrounded the dinner venue. An anniversary video was also shown, highlighting the achievement of CALD in five key areas: (1) advancement of liberal ideas, principles and solutions to common problems in the Asian region; (2) formation of stronger ties between liberals from Asia and from other parts of the world; (3) greater political space for democracy fighters and activists; (4) forging stronger, more institutionalized and more accountable political parties; (5) and increasing the chances for liberal political parties and politicians to enter government through free and fair elections.

Solidarity plaques were then presented to CALD founding members, to the FNF and to all CALD member-parties to recognize their contributions to the development of CALD and the advancement of freedom and liberalism in the Asian region.

The night was even made more special by performances of highly-acclaimed Filipino shadow dance group, El Gamma Penumbra.

For many of the attendees to the dinner, it was truly a night to remember.  And they parted ways knowing that they will meet again in the future as CALD charts its new horizons.