SAN LEANDRO, CA — On May 17, 2026, the Titan Auditorium at the Marina Community Center hosted “Bersama in the Bay,” a cultural celebration that drew 200 guests to honor the shared heritage of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. The event served as a platform for families, professionals, and community leaders to engage with Southeast Asian traditions through food, music, and interactive arts.
The gathering featured a variety of hands-on experiences designed to foster community connection. Under the guidance of iRidescent Batik Studio, attendees contributed to a communal batik artwork. Participants also played the angklung, a traditional bamboo musical instrument, and engaged in nostalgic storytelling and childhood games facilitated by the Kampong Collective.
The celebration was attended by a host of civic and diplomatic figures, including Yohpy Ichsan Wardana, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia; Craig Lim, Consul General of the Republic of Singapore; Mohd. Hamim Hamdan Mustafa, Director of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority; San Leandro Mayor Juan González III; Mark Chandler, Director of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of International Trade & Commerce; and Daryl Png, Regional Vice President of Singapore Global Network.
The event was hosted by representatives from three core organizations: SingaporeConnect, the Malaysian Professional & Business Association, and the Indonesian Professionals Association San Francisco. Guests experienced a culinary showcase featuring regional staples such as beef rendang, ketupat sayur, Nyonya kuih lapis, and iced chendol.
Reflecting on the collaborative effort, Mark Sin, President of SingaporeConnect, stated, “The event is a testament to what our communities can accomplish when we come together with shared purpose, trust and heart.” Manoharan Narayanan, President of the Malaysian Professional & Business Association, added, “This Bersama event is an opportunity for our communities to come together and enjoy our common heritage, sprinkled with diversity.”
Significance and Future Outlook
The success of “Bersama in the Bay” highlights the active role of the Indonesian diaspora and cultural organizations in strengthening people-to-people ties within the Bay Area. By providing a space for shared cultural expression, the event emphasized commonalities across Southeast Asian borders while celebrating regional diversity.
Regarding what may happen next, organizers have indicated plans to continue celebrating Southeast Asian heritage through future collaborative events. Given the positive reception and the multi-organizational support provided by partners such as the Singapore Global Network, We see likely that similar cultural initiatives could be developed to further sustain community engagement and cross-cultural dialogue in the region.