The Pacific Corridor
Issue 8
Editor’s Note
by Danica Jane Guieb, Lead Editor - Pacific Corridor Desk
Across Southeast Asia, the lines between governance, narrative, and strategic identity are increasingly blurred. In this issue, we explore three distinct yet interconnected developments that reveal how states perform authority, navigate technological frontiers, and deploy cultural capital amid evolving geopolitical and domestic demands.
In the Philippines, Arianne De Guzman explores the Philippine disaster response not merely as a matter of logistics or climate policy, but as a form of political theatre. Her piece focuses on how calamity becomes an instrument for the state to assert its presence—less through structural prevention than through spectacle and post-factum performance.
Singapore, often cast as the region’s digital vanguard, now finds itself grappling with the social consequences of rapid AI integration. Nurul Aini reports on the dissonance between state-led ambitions for innovation and institutional unease over how generative technologies are reshaping knowledge, authorship, and authority—particularly in education.
Vietnam, meanwhile, presents a different model of soft power projection. As Tri Vo illustrates, the state’s growing emphasis on cultural diplomacy reflects a deliberate effort to recast the country’s global image. Yet even this forward-facing agenda must contend with the domestic challenge of preserving heritage in the face of economic acceleration and shifting tastes.
These developments reflect the tensions confronting modern governance: the need to be seen, to compete, and to persuade—often all at once. They also remind us that power today is exercised not only through institutions and policy, but also through stories, platforms, and carefully curated images of progress.
The Philippines 🇵🇭
Disaster as Spectacle, Governance as Performance in the Philippines
by Arianne De Guzman, in Bulacan
Every rainy season, flooding engulfs much of the Philippines. In July alone, tropical storms Dante, Emong, and Crising dominated the news, followed by a familiar cadence of official response. Communities submerged multiple times already know the drill: wade through sewage, move belongings to higher ground, and wait for donations or rescue—if either is available. Cameras are ready to capture their suffering, the distribution of aid, and their return home once the waters recede. Government officials, in turn, respond by showcasing preparedness measures, citing the availability of rescue vessels, pumping stations, evacuation shelters, and relief goods.
In Calumpit, Bulacan, Mayor Lem Faustino introduced an “e-ayuda” system via Facebook, urging residents to upload photos of floodwaters in their homes—preferably with family members in frame—to qualify for aid. Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a situational briefing, described the ongoing floods as part of the country’s ‘new normal,’ framing them as phenomena to which Filipinos must adapt. Behind this language lies a subtle narrative shift: from government responsibility and climate inevitability to citizen adaptability and resilience. Natural disasters are often portrayed as uncomfortable acts of nature, while accountability is deflected from government shortcomings. In truth, the failure lies in how this system operates.
From 2011 to 2025, the Philippine government allocated P1.47 trillion for flood control and mitigation initiatives. In 2025 alone, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) received a ballooning budget of P1.007 trillion, later adjusted to ₱1.034 trillion after bicameral deliberations. Economist Sonny Africa, Executive Director of Ibon Foundation, noted that the increase—introduced during the bicameral phase—bears the hallmarks of what could be perceived as a pork barrel insertion. A 2021 Department of Justice (DOJ) report further revealed that the DPWH and other local government units received the highest number of corruption complaints among all government agencies.
This is not merely a governance failure but a technology of rule. Disaster governance in the Philippines is less about addressing structural problems and more about prescribing a public code of conduct that shapes how Filipinos should respond to crises—encouraging them to document their suffering, display resilience, and normalize risks. Flood spectacles in the media and official pronouncements function as technologies of power, turning disaster into a performance of state presence while obscuring deeper patterns of neglect.
This domestic problem mirrors ASEAN’s broader approach to disaster governance, despite the region being one of the most susceptible to both natural and human-made disasters. Member states face a persistent dilemma between asserting domestic control and enabling effective regional disaster responses. Under this prevailing mindset, initiatives often become symbolic gestures rather than drivers of structural, lasting change. Collectively, ASEAN member states must break the cycle in which governance serves as a spectacle of visibility and narrative control, rather than a vehicle for genuine solutions.
Arianne has worked in legal research at the Philippines Department of Justice and in policy research at De La Salle University’s Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance, supporting projects on systemic reform. She holds a degree in Political Science from Colegio de San Juan de Letran and is pursuing a master’s in Sociology at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She is also involved in youth development and grassroots advocacy through the Rotaract Club of Santa Maria.
Singapore 🇸🇬
Beyond Reality: AI and the Rise of Institutional Suspicion
by Nurul Aini, in Singapore
In the ASEAN Digital Masterplan, technosolutionism is positioned as a definition of progress. In Singapore, the integration of artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools across sectors—ranging from healthcare and education to national security—is often showcased as a measure of effective governance and innovation. In 2024, Singapore ranked third in the Global AI Index, just behind the U.S. and China. However, in a bid to win the AI race, Singaporean society grapples with the anxiety of incoherent policies, especially within the education sector, amidst global ethical and environmental implications of AI.
The Smart Nation 2.0 report presents an updated outline on the Singaporean government’s plans to integrate advanced technological systems to improve efficiency for a wide array of daily services, alongside utilization of quantum technology for data security. In May 2025, the Minister of State Madam Rahayu Mahzam announced that by 2026, more computing classes will be introduced in secondary schools to expand AI literacy. At the tertiary level, scholarship programmes and specialised diplomas are being rolled out to cultivate a new generation of AI professionals and leaders. These efforts, Madam Rahayu argues, are to encourage innovation and problem-solving skills, with the goal of improving lives, creating new opportunities and building a better future.
Yet, AI also exposes the uncomfortable tension between institutions and individuals. In May 2025, three university students in Singapore were penalised for using generative AI in their assignments. One student, who claimed to have used only citation organisers, still received a zero—now on the grounds of academic misconduct rather than AI usage alone. Another, who had followed her professor’s stated AI-use policy, was similarly penalized after disclosing that she had used ChatGPT for preliminary research.
As the adaptability of educational institutions to real-world shifts serves as one of the barometers of a nation’s progress, these events raise questions about Singaporean society’s readiness—particularly among its professionals and intellectuals—to keep pace with rapid AI integration across platforms. The credibility of certain tools, such as Google AI Overview, as reliable sources of non-AI information remains uncertain. Furthermore, since AI is still a much deliberated topic within academic circles, and policies governing are often incoherent and vague, the clash between the nuances of human expression and AI-generated, formulaic writing remains unresolved. While once purported as a ‘second brain’ to spark thinking and drive innovation, the emergence of AI has instead fueled institutional suspicion toward individuals’ varying levels of talent and creativity.
The story does not end here — AI impacts the environment, and over-reliance on tools like ChatGPT has been shown to alter brain activity and reduce information retention, raising questions about the ethical use of AI. Members of Gen Z are also questioning how AI affects the job market. As ASEAN moves toward a more digitally-connected future, the pressing question is: how can we integrate AI into daily life while preserving individual psychological and creative autonomy?
Aini is currently pursuing a master’s degree in English literature at Nanyang Technological University. She has experience working in youth groups, contributing to the planning and management of outreach activities.
Vietnam 🇻🇳
The Art of Soft Power: Vietnam's Strategic Push for Cultural Diplomacy
by Tri Vo, in Ho Chi Minh City
In an era marked by intensifying global competition among major powers, soft power, defined as the ability to attract and persuade others through culture, political values, and foreign policies, has emerged as a crucial tool. It complements traditional hard power, which consists of economic and military strength, in advancing a country's global interests and influence. Vietnam, a rapidly growing economy with rising geopolitical ambitions, is no exception to this very trend. With an extremely diverse cultural repository that has stretched back thousands of years, Vietnam has become more assertive in embracing its cultural assets as one of the key pillars of foreign policy, both as a tool for deepening diplomatic ties and as an economic booster.
This strategic embrace was in full swing at the ongoing World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, a world-renowned event where the Vietnam Pavilion captivated international audiences with a vibrant showcase of traditional arts. From the mesmerizing movements of water puppetry to the mellifluous melody of the dan bau (Vietnamese monochord zither) and the t’rung (traditional bamboo xylophone), these performances offer the world a glimpse into the soul of a nation deeply rooted in millennia-old traditions while dynamically engaging with the 21st century.
Yet Vietnam's cultural diplomacy extends far beyond the theatrical stage, as its increasingly popular cuisine has also played a key role in projecting the country’s cultural power. The government has actively promoted "gastrodiplomacy" by organizing food festivals and culinary tours to bring to global audiences the flavors, diversity, and unique charm of Vietnamese cuisine.
However, one of the key challenges Vietnam faces is balancing the preservation of vital cultural heritage—both tangible and intangible—with the shifting demands of a rapidly modernizing society—pressures that can at times prove detrimental. Traditional art forms like tuồng and chèo (traditional Vietnamese opera) are experiencing a decline in popularity and a shortage of new talent. Faced with competition from modern entertainment mediums like reality TV and game shows, there is an urgent need for innovative policy measures, both from the government and the private sector, to halt their decline and revitalize these traditions for a new generation.
By showcasing its cultural assets at Expo 2025, Vietnam aims to build a positive international image, moving beyond the prevailing historical narratives of the Vietnam War and the poverty that followed, which have long shaped global perceptions of the country. Boosting Vietnam’s soft power will help improve the country's image on the global stage, ultimately advancing policies and interests favourable to Hanoi.
Looking beyond, the future of Vietnam's soft power remains bright despite some existing hurdles. The country’s current and future success in this metric will inform its regional peers, especially those in mainland Southeast Asia, showing how a once war-torn and impoverished nation can transform its image for the better, offering hope and inspiration for generations to come.
Tri has experience in management consulting and strategy, having worked with institutions such as the UNDP, The Asia Group, and ARC Group. He has provided strategic, legal, and operational insights to clients in sectors including manufacturing, energy, and technology. He holds both academic and professional experience related to Southeast and East Asia, with a focus on regional development and policy.
Editorial Deadline 29/07/2025 11:59 PM (UTC +8)
