Module in ASEAN 233

ASEAN Economic Development and Business Community

Rationale (Getting Organized as a Distance Learner)

This module is a self – learning instructional material designed for students like you

who belong to a distance learning program. In distance learning, you do not attend regular classes as

you would in a residential face – to – face mode of instruction. You have to take full responsibility for

keeping track of schedules since there will be no teacher to remind you during the period between

study sessions what you should be doing or studying. This module will serve as a useful tool for both

teachers and students to enhance the teaching – learning process. The author would like to sincerely

acknowledge the authors of the different books and websites used as references in order to come up

with this IM. Efforts to improve this IM are made open.

The first part of this module contains the summary of Southeast Asia. Part II tackles

on ASEAN being a resilient and innovative community. Part III comprises topics on the model of

governance and economic development. Part IV revolves on topics

Every module in this course consists of the following essential parts:

1. Introduction – presents a motivationally related aspects of the module. Specifically, the

relationship among facts, ideas, concepts or principles to undertake.

2. Objectives – serves as your own learning targets and with those objectives in mind, your

particular study will have direction and purpose, and you will know what to look for.

3. Exercises – this is a pre – assessment activity to enable the learner to appreciate the

relationship of facts in relation to the study of ASEAN Economic Development and Business

Community.

4. Readings – present the explanatory text in chunks or easy to read paragraphs accompanied

by illustrations, drawings, graphs or diagrams to develop interactive learning approach. This is also

the lesson proper to facilitate understanding.

5. Self – Assessment Questions – help you to review what you have read and help to measure

your progress in your understanding of the lesson.

6. Suggested Enrichment Activity – helps you to apply what you are learning. Through ths

application, you test yourself on how well you comprehend the lesson which is appropriate to the

level of the distance learner. This should be submitted at the end of the period.

7. Summary – provides relevant insights that will help with your review.
 8. References – provides the list of relevant supplementary reading materials arranged in

alphabetical order.
UNIT 1: SOUTHEAST ASIA: A SUMMARY

Module 1
Southeast Asia: An Overview

INTRODUCTION

Welcome!

Another fun learning awaits you. Imagine, you are a travel vlogger. You love adventures and

exploring varied culture. Scrolling through Google, there is one continent that have caught your

attention, and that is Asia. Since you are a travel vlogger, hiking, kayaking, island hopping is what

you all wanted. But for that reason alone, Asia is too vast for you. At that time, you have seen a sub

region in Asia where it suits your hobby and decided to visit that place.

You are riding air AirAsia’s Boeing B87-12 bound to that place. As soon as the airplane

landed, you were greeted by the warm smile radiating from the people around. An individual

approached you saying “Sawadeeka” and offered you a ride to the hotel you reserved. On streets, you

can see elephants providing entertainment to people. This land is referred as the “Land of Freedom”

according to its rich history.

Next country you’ve visited dubbed as the “Pearl of the Orient Seas” where people always

smiles and are kindhearted. The people were very accommodating and hospitable that makes your

stay very comfortable. During your stay, you observed that they are fond of “karaoke.” They offered

you “dinuguan”, “bulalo” and many other exotic cuisines.

Your adventure was not done yet, you visited one of the highest living standards in the

region. Upon entering the airport, you were amazed by its modern architectural design. You were also

fascinated by a mythical creature with a lion’s head and the body of fish – merlion.

Upon consolidating your works, you’ve discovered that those three countries can be traced in

one region. It is all in Southeast Asia. Being bewitched by the region, you wanted to travel more in

order to feed your curiosity on what makes Southeast Asia different form other regions. “Land of

Shipbuilders” was given as its title.

This module will present further facts, ideas and insights on Southeast Asia. We will dig

deeper on their quality that sets apart from other countries. Come! Join me! Vamonos!

OBJECTIVES
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
1. familiarize the geography of Southeast Asia.

2. classify the different countries located in Southeast Asia.

3. familiarize specific geographic elements such as population, national language and

size that are unique to an individual country in Southeast Asia.

 Exercises #1: COORDINATES

Instruction: Given the coordinates, locate the different countries present in Southeast

Asia and supply the missing data. It is advisable to use a map.

Country Latitude Longitude Capital City

1. 14º40’ N 121º03’ E Manila
2. Myanmar 16º45’ N 96º20’ E
3. Thailand 13º45’ N 100º35’ E
4. 21º05’ N 105º35’ E Hanoi
5. 11º33’ N 104º55’ E Phnom Phen
6. Malaysia 03º09’ N 101º41’ E
7. 04º52’ N 115º00’ E Bandar Seri
8. Indonesia 06º09’ S 106º49 E
9. 17º58 N 102º36’ E Vientiane
10. Singapore - - -

Exercises #2: K – W – L
Instructions: Work in partners and fill out the chart. The first two columns will be
filled in first.

What I KNOW What I WANT to Know What I LEARNED

Major Geographic Qualities

Southeast Asia is a fragmented realm of numerous island countries and peninsula.

Physiography dominated by high relief, crustal instability, and tropical climates. Inside Southeast

Asia, there is political instability and conflict. Also one geographic quality of Southeast Asia is a

clustered population pattern. Cultural fragmentation (complex ethnic, linguistic, and religious

patterns.)

Southeast Asia has four major linguistic groups, with several hundred distinct

languages. First, Austronesian Languages, it extends from Madagascar to Eastern Island. Today,

almost all of the insular Southeast Asian languages are in this family. Malay became the lingua franca

(a language used for trading purposes) of the region. Spanish influence is evident in the Philippines.

Second, Tibeto-Burman (Sino – Tibetan )languages which were spoken by Burmese (spoken in
 Burma) is closely related to Tibetan and distantly to Chinese. Third, Tai-Kadai Languages was

originated in southern China and then spread into Southeast Asia around 1200; and lastly, Mon-

Khmer Languages were being used by Vietnamese and Khmer (national tongue of Cambodia.)

Southeast Asia is less than 30% urbanized. Many of region’s countries have primate

cities (single, large urban settlements that overshadow all others). Singapore is a city-state, with

modern infrastructure and no squatter settlement. Indonesia has an official policy of transmigration.

Transmigration is defined as the relocation of people from one region to another within a national

territory.

Uneven Economic Development

The Philippine Decline

Philippines were the most highly developed Southeast Asian country 40 years ago. In

1980s and 1990s the Philippines’ population outpaced its economic growth, and living standards

declined. Decline attributed to crony capitalism under Marcos regime. Many Filipinos have sought

employment in other countries: send money home (“remittances”) and Brain drain.

The Regional Hub: Singapore

Has transformed itself from an entrepôt(a port city where goods are imported, stored,

and transshipped) to one of the world’s most modern state. Encourages investment by multinational

firms, and has invested in itself.

The Malaysian Boom

Malaysia has recently experienced rapid economic growth. The secret of Malaysia

for its economic success began with plantation agriculture and natural resource extraction, then

manufacturing in labor-intensive high-tech sector. Wealth of Chinese (esp. in Malaysia) led to

affirmative action for Bumiputra (“sons of the soil” Malaysians. )

Thailand: An Emerging Tiger?

Japanese companies were leading players in Thailand’s earlier economic boo.

Japanese factories built in the region. Thailand is also famous for its “Sex tourism” industry.

Recent Economic Expansion in Indonesia

Indonesian economy began to expand in the 1970s .It was Fueled by oil exports.

Multinational corporations now attracted to the low-wage labor of the region. Indonesia remains poor;

political instability a concern.

 Suggested Enrichment Activity: Modified True or False

Instructions: Write T if the statement is true and F if the statement is false and
write the correct answer. Kindly refer to the underlined word. Each item is equivalent to 2 points.
________ 1. T
________ 2. F - *correct answer

_____________ 1. Southeast Asia lies above the equator.

_____________ 2. The decline of the Philippine economy was clearly associated to Marco’s regime

due to crony capitalism.

_____________ 3. Southeast Asian countries experienced monsoon.

_____________ 4. Immigration is defined as the relocation of people from one region to another

within a country

______________ 5. 40 years ago, Philippines is the most highly developed Southeast Asian country.

Summary

Southeast Asia is indeed a home to varied ethnic culture and has the

richest natural resources compared to other regions. Due to its strategic location, this makes

Southeast Asia a flourishing region. Southeast Asia attracts the attention of the global companies and

investors willing to do business in the region and reap the benefits of its growth. Southeast Asia

offers a lot, from its historical places, delicacies, picturesque view and most importantly the

experience itself.

References

Severino, Rudolfo C. (2008). Southeast Asia Background Series No. 10.

Singapore: ISEAS Publications

Mahiwo, Sylvano D., Azhar Mad Aros, Nguyen ThiThuo Hong. (2013). ASEAN

Studies 1. Philiippines: University of the Philippines Open University

ONLINE CLASS

DURATION: MAY (26, 27, 28, 29), 2020