Megawati Manan

In this Malay name, there is no surname or family name. The name Manan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by their given name, Megawati. The word "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Her Excellency
Megawati Manan
ميڬاواتي مانن
Ambassador Megawati in 2023
Ambassador of Brunei to the Philippines
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 March 2023
Preceded byJohariah Abdul Wahab
Personal details
BornBrunei
Spouse
Rahman Durahman
​
(m. 1994)​
Children2
ParentManan Osman (father)
OccupationDiplomat

Megawati binti Dato Paduka Haji Manan is a Bruneian diplomat and holding the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Brunei to the Philippines since 2023.[1][2] Additionally, she is the alternate chair for Brunei in the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC).[3]

Diplomatic career

Megawati held the positions of National Coordinator for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Connectivity 2025 Masterplan, governor of Brunei Darussalam on the Asia–Europe Foundation (ASEF) board of governors, and director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Multilateral Cooperation. During a ceremony held in the Reception Hall of Malacañang Palace on 23 March 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. accepted the credential letters from Megawati, the Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Philippines.[4][5]

During their July 2023 discussions at Camp Aguinaldo, Gilbert Teodoro and Megawati expressed their gratitude for the close defense ties between the two countries, which were demonstrated by Delfin Lorenzana's official visit to Brunei in 2022 and the dialogue initiatives under the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM).[6]

Megawati and the Bruneian delegation participated in the 3rd Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) held in Metro Manila on 18 August 2023.[7] Farm Konekt announced expansion into Brunei on 23 August, aiming to aid smallholder farmers with market access while facilitating access to Brunei's halal ecosystem for the Philippines through Megawati's technical assistance and support on bilateral policies.[8] On 6 October, the Asian Center at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) welcomed her in support of the university's internationalisation efforts, marking the first visit by a Bruneian ambassador to UPD and showcasing the embassy's interest in forging an institutional partnership ahead of the 40th anniversary of Brunei-Philippines diplomatic relations in 2024.[9]

On 13 March 2024, Megawati threw a dinner event at the Dusit Thani Manila's Mayuree Grand Ballroom to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Brunei Darussalam's National Day.[10] Later on 11 April, Megawati and her spouse threw a high tea celebration at the ambassador's home in honour of Eid al-Fitr. Along with partners and friends of the Bruneian embassy, the hosts were joined at the event by Robin Padilla and other envoys from different embassies were also present.[11]

Personal life

Megawati is the daughter of Koperasi Security Officer Training School's (KOPRI) CEO, Dato Paduka Haji Manan bin Osman.[12] In 1994, she married Colonel (Retired) Rahman @ Abdul Rahman bin Haji Durahman (born 13 September 1970), former pilot in the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF).[11] They are parents to a girl and a son.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Embassy of Brunei Darussalam in Manila, Republic of the Philippines". www.mfa.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  2. ^ "28 February 2023 - HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN AND YANG DI-PERTUAN OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM PRESENTS AND RECEIVES LETTERS OF CREDENCE FOR NEWLY APPOINTED ENVOYS". www.mfa.gov.bn. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  3. ^ "Member committees - Pacific Economic Cooperation Council". www.pecc.org. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  4. ^ "Presentation of Credentials: Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Philippines". rtvm.gov.ph. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  5. ^ "PRESIDENT MARCOS RECEIVES NEW AMBASSADOR OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM TO THE PHILIPPINES". bruneipe.dfa.gov.ph. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. ^ Punongbayan, Michael (13 July 2023). "Philippines, Brunei to strengthen ties vs extremist violence". Philstar.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Philippines and Brunei Darussalam Convene Third Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation Meeting". dfa.gov.ph. 18 August 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Palawan-based Agritech Startup Forays into Brunei Darussalam". bimp-eaga.asia. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  9. ^ "UP Asian Center welcomed Brunei Ambassador to PH at AC". www.ac.upd.edu.ph. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  10. ^ "Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the National Day of Brunei Darussalam". mb.com.ph. 13 March 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  11. ^ a b "High tea reception to celebrate Eid al-Fitr". mb.com.ph. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  12. ^ James Kon (14 July 2017). "23 KOPRI security personnel complete training". borneo363.rssing.com. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Deputy Commander Royal Brunei Air Force". www.mindef.gov.bn. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Ambassador of Brunei to the Philippines
23 March 2023 – present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent