On 01 February 2024, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI), represented by President Stephen Sia and Executive Vice President Samuel Lee Uy, participated in the ceremonial lighting of the Prosperity Tree in San Lorenzo Ruiz Plaza, Binondo, Manila in celebration of the 430th anniversary of Binondo which is hailed as the oldest and largest Chinatown in the whole world.

The event was organized by the City Government of Manila led by Honorable Mayor Maria Shielah “Honey” Lacuna, Manila Chinatown Development Council led by Chairman Willord Chua, Manila Chinatown Barangay Organization led by Chairman Jefferson Lau, and the Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts of Manila.

The event began at six o’clock in the evening with a marvelous series of performances by the Manila Band which played several lively Filipino and Chinese songs. Afterwards, dancers and Wu Shu performers provided entertainment to the enthusiastic audience comprising of various Chinoy organization leaders, local government officials including Majority Floor Leader Atty. Ernesto ‘Jong’ Isip and local councilors, and the ecstatic people of Manila.

Mayor Lacuna, Congressman Joel Chua, and Hon. Sharlene Zabala-Batin, NCR Regional Director of the Department of Tourism led the Eye-Dotting Ceremony of the colorful lions which danced gracefully afterwards. Manila City Administrator Bernardino C. Ang delivered the welcoming remarks expressing Manila government’s passion to continue developing Binondo.

Honored to deliver a congratulatory message, President Sia emphasized in this speech: “I am extremely proud of the fact that Manila Chinatown has been the oldest and largest Chinatown in the world. Established on March 29, 1594, Manila Chinatown or Binondo continues to stand as a dynamic center of trade and commerce, and a melting pot of rich traditions especially of Filipinos and Chinese people. As we know, almost every major city in other countries has a Chinatown, but there is no Chinatown quite like Binondo.”

Moreover, he hoped that all of us will continue to cherish the gifts that Binondo has been offering to us throughout its four hundred and thirty years of existence. “Let us rejoice and welcome the Year of the Wooden Dragon with renewed hope for a brighter future and extended commitment in fostering positive change in the lives of others,” President Sia said.

Afterwards, Hon. Zabala-Batin also gave a speech recognizing the contribution of Binondo in cultivating Filipino-Chinese culture. She mentioned that the City of Manila has received two international awards recently namely: “Global Tourism Resilience Award” for economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic; and “World’s Leading City Destination” at the World Travel Awards 2023.

Congressman Chua and Mayor Lacuna also gave their messages, each highlighting the huge role Binondo is playing in promoting local tourism. After the program, a breathtaking fireworks display commenced with terrific firecrackers lighting up the sky and sealing off the ceremony with a lively conclusion.

菲華工商總會訊：為迎接即將到來的甲辰龍年暨慶祝世界最古老、規模最大的馬尼拉唐人街建立四百三十週年，由馬尼拉市政府，馬尼拉華人區發展委員會，華人區描籠涯組織及馬尼拉觀光、文化、藝術局等單位聯合華社各團體，於二月一日（星期四）下午，假座岷倫洛花園口廣場，共同舉行亮燈儀式。馬尼拉市長拉庫娜(Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan)、馬尼拉第三區眾議員蔡促依(Atty. Joel Chua)、馬尼拉市議員、馬尼拉市府行政官洪英鐘(Bernie Ang)、華人區發展委員會主席蔡臻蔚、華人區描籠涯組織主席劉少強，菲律濱觀光部首都地區辦事處處長Sharlene Zabala-Batin及各主要華社團體代表和各媒體，均到場共襄盛舉。本會理事長謝國萬偕同執行副理事長黃書瑋亦受邀出席。

引用四百三十週年這個數字，慶典娛樂節目特於下午四時三十分開始，由馬尼拉市政府樂隊彈奏多首著名菲律濱及中文歌曲後拉開序幕，接著由華校舞蹈團體及武術社團精湛演出，現場觀眾如雲，掌聲雷動，氣氛熱烈。

下午六時由市長拉庫娜、眾議員蔡促依及處長Sharlene Zabala-Batin等人為醒獅點睛，隨後表演祥獅獻瑞。市府行政官洪英鐘致歡迎詞時說，馬尼拉市政府將會為岷倫洛的永續發展繼續努力。市長拉庫娜及眾議員蔡促依也分別先後上台致詞，並且肯定岷倫洛對當地觀光業的貢獻。觀光部首都地區辦事處處長Sharlene Zabala-Batin也發表了講話，她提到馬尼拉市最近獲得了兩個國際獎項，即新冠大流行後經濟復蘇的「全球旅遊恢復力獎」，以及二零二三年世界旅遊獎的「世界領先城市目的地」。

理事長謝國萬代表華社團體致詞時說到，馬尼拉華人區（另稱為：岷倫洛）成立於一五九四年三月二十九日，是一個充滿活力的貿易及商業區，這裡包羅萬象，有中餐館、茶館、銀行、商場、書店等等，應有盡有，是具有豐富中菲文化集聚之地。我們對馬尼拉華人區是世界上最古老及面積最大的華人區感到非常自豪。這座擁有四百三十年歷史的岷倫洛，是中菲友好源遠流長的歷史見證。歡迎大家如果有機會，千萬不要錯過這個世界最古老的唐人街，來這裡品嘗「中華美食」。最後讓我們帶著對美好未來的新希望，迎接木龍年的到來。

活動最後在與會貴賓共同點亮花園口廣場的「金錢樹」，為啟動華人區慶祝建立四百三十週年一系列慶祝活動開啟儀式。隨後燃放鞭炮，五彩的煙火劃破黑夜，一朵朵五彩紛呈的煙火在天空中閃爍、綻放。賓客及民眾遊覽週邊美食攤。

圖片說明：（從左至右）
上圖：理事長謝國萬致祝賀詞；貴賓啟動華人區慶祝建立四百三十週年倒計時燈亮儀式。
中圖：理事長謝國萬、蔡臻蔚主席與出席活動的華社團體代表合影；市長拉庫娜、眾議員蔡促依及處長Sharlene Zabala-Batin與醒獅合影。
下圖：理事長謝國萬、執行副理事長黃書瑋與市長拉庫娜、眾議員蔡促依、馬尼拉市府行政官洪英鐘、和僑社各團體代表合影。