On the morning of 29 November 2025, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) Metro Manila delegation arrived in Batangas City, marking the commencement of the fifth leg of its regional business forum series. Composed of eight members, the delegation actively engaged with local Chinoy businessmen to gain insights into regional industrial development and successfully convened a business forum. This initiative underscored the CFBCI’s steadfast commitment to strengthening exchange, collaboration, and solidarity among Filipino-Chinese business communities in Southern Luzon.

Departing Manila early that morning, the delegation was warmly received upon arrival by local colleagues, representatives of the Batangas Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (BFCCCII), Kipsi Memorial School, and members of the local Chinoy businessmen. In observance of Mazu’s birthday, the delegation paid a visit to the Mazu Temple to offer incense and prayers for favorable weather, national prosperity, and the continued success of CFBCI’s endeavors.

The forum formally commenced at noon at the Chamber’s headquarters. In his opening remarks, Executive Vice President Gerald Uy Chan expressed his sincere appreciation to BFCCCII President Willy Chion Wong, who also serves as CFBCI Director, for his meticulous coordination of the itinerary and for hosting a luncheon in honor of the delegation and invited guests. He noted that the delegation had previously conducted similar visits to Legazpi City, Naga City, Isabela Province, and Tarlac Province, emphasizing that these face-to-face engagements aim to harness collective wisdom and strengthen unity among Chinoy business leaders nationwide.

Executive Vice President Chan further highlighted that Southern Luzon is distinguished not only by its robust industries but also by its rich natural landscapes and cultural heritage, which have nurtured many socially responsible and philanthropic Chinese entrepreneurs. He commended the Chinoy business community in the region for its longstanding dedication to education, charitable initiatives, and local development, describing it as one of the most cohesive and exemplary groups within the organization. He also outlined CFBCI’s key operational directions for the forthcoming term.

In closing, he extended a cordial invitation to provincial colleagues to join the CFBCI family and to participate in the “14th Biennial National Convention,” scheduled to be held at the Manila Hotel next February, where members will collectively chart the organization’s future direction.

The symposium was co-hosted by Chinese Secretary Ellen Chong and English Secretary Mex Bausa, who introduced the members of the delegation and presented CFBCI’s core business initiatives and social service programs. Director Wong subsequently introduced the local colleagues and chamber leaders in attendance and shared welfare initiatives undertaken by Batangas members during the current term.

Following the luncheon, the delegation visited Kipsi Memorial School, a prominent local Chinese educational institution established in 1946. It is the only school within the Chinese community named in honor of an anti-Japanese martyr, commemorating the heroic legacy of Chua Kipsi, also known as “Youfang” (1903-1942), who “sacrificed himself for the nation and lives on forever.” Dedicated to holistic character formation, academic excellence, and the preservation of Chinese culture, the school has, for nearly eight decades, produced generations of accomplished individuals and remains a cornerstone of the local community.

Accompanied by colleagues from Batangas, the delegation then proceeded to the Monte Maria International Pilgrimage & Conference Center, an emerging landmark for religious and cultural tourism. Renowned for its monumental “Mother of Peace” statue, the tallest depiction of the Virgin Mary in the world, the site occupies a commanding elevated location offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. In recent years, it has become a major destination for tourists and pilgrims in Southern Luzon.

Moreover, visitors may also experience the country’s first glass bridge, a newly developed attraction featuring a striking glass walkway, as well as explore other scenic and distinctive areas within the complex. Ongoing development plans aim to transform the site into a pedestrian-friendly community with additional theme park attractions, gardens, waterways, and extensive landscaping to establish a comprehensive faith-based tourism destination. At 5:00 p.m., the delegation concluded its itinerary and returned to Manila.

Moving forward, CFBCI will continue to strengthen ties between Chinese business communities and local societies through regional outreach programs and public welfare initiatives, further reinforcing platforms for mutual support and collaboration. Guided by the principles of unity and shared prosperity, CFBCI remains committed to fostering sustainable and meaningful contributions to the development of both the Chinese and Filipino communities.

菲華工商總會訊：本會第十四屆外埠巡迴訪問團於十一月二十九日（星期六）上午抵達描東岸市，展開巡迴訪問第五站行程。本次訪問團由執行副理事長曾國強率領公共資訊委員會副主任施惠萍，外交委員會副主任顏漢龍，同仁楊金豐，中文秘書蔡艷霞，西文秘書梅西卡，聯絡吳宛盈及秘書處外勤 Jan Lloyd Villanueva，一行八人深入地方社區，了解當地產業發展現況，並成功舉辦與當地同仁及華商朋友舉辦座談會，展現本會持續促進南呂宋地區華商交流合作的決心。

訪問團成員清晨自馬尼拉出發，抵達描東岸市後受到地方同仁、描東岸菲華商會和及時紀念學校代表和當地華商等熱情接待。適逢描東岸媽祖天后聖誕千秋，團員前往媽祖天后宮上香祈福，祝願風調雨順，國泰民安；本會會務蒸蒸日上。

座談會於中午在描東岸菲華商會會所舉行，執行副理事長曾國強致詞時，首先感謝描東岸菲華商會理事長、亦是本會地區董事黃志安週全安排行程，及設宴招待巡訪團成員和來賓。接著提到本會此前已走訪丹轆市、依沙迷拉省、那牙市與黎牙實備市，與各地僑領面對面交流，凝聚全國華商智慧與力量。他指出，南呂宋地區不僅工業蓬勃，兼具自然景觀與文化特色，也孕育了許多熱心公益的華商企業家。描東岸華商長期投入教育扶助、慈善活動及地方建設，是本會最具凝聚力的團隊之一，值得敬佩。同時，分享了本會下一屆的各項執行方針。最後，誠摯邀請描東岸華商加入菲華工商總會大家庭，並出席明年二月於馬尼拉大酒店舉行的「第十四次全國會員大會」，共同規劃華商未來藍圖。

座談會由中文秘書蔡艷霞與西文秘書梅西卡聯合主持，介紹訪問團成員並闡述總會推動的重點業務與社會服務計劃。本會描東岸地區董事黃志安介紹出席的當地同仁及各商會領導，並分享本屆描東岸同仁在當地實施的各項福利項目；座談會就政經趨勢、華社發展機遇與挑戰、地方公益布局等議題展開深入交流，現場氣氛熱烈。

午餐後，訪問團參觀了當地知名華校及時紀念學校；該校創立於一九四六年，是目前華社唯一以抗日烈士命名的學校，藉以致敬蔡及時英雄烈士「為國獻身、永垂不朽」的精神，該校致力於品格與學術教育的培養，同時傳承中華文化，近八十年來，培育英才無數，是當地的重要學府。

接著，在描東岸地區同仁的陪同下，訪問團前往新興宗教文化旅遊地標Montemaria International Pilgrimage & Conference Center參訪。該地以巨大的「和平之母」聖像聞名，是世界上最高的聖母瑪利亞雕像，其地勢高峻、景色壯麗，是描東岸近年重要的觀光與朝聖景點，和其新開發的菲律濱第一條玻璃橋，體驗令人嘆為觀止的玻璃步道，探索獨特的景點及其迷人的景色。該園區尚在規劃擴大及打造一個適合步行的社區，增設主題公園景點、花園與水道，並種植不同品種的樹蔭與果樹，創道一個以信仰為基礎的旅遊目的地。下午五時，行程圓滿結束後，訪問團啟程返回馬尼拉。

南呂宋地區與會者包括：描東岸地區董事黃志安、常務理事黃愛儀、許建陽、理事陳德烈，姚寶珍，同仁許煒楠、黃普澤、陳美金，以及里巴市菲華商會朱志偉理事長；當地華商、留學生、和華文教師：宋家洪，楊偉，黃君秀，練禺晴，劉軍，王璇，姜睿，程生，劉詩韻，黃國書，史亞兵，李懷生等。

本會將持續透過外埠巡迴訪問與公益行動，搭建華商與地方社會的交流橋樑，強化互助合作平台，以團結共榮的精神，為華社與地方經濟發展注入更深遠力量。

圖片說明：（左至右）
上圖：本會南呂宋巡訪團與當地同仁及華商、留學生、教師合影留念。
中圖一：施惠萍，楊金豐，曾國強拈香祈福。巡訪團成員在描東岸媽祖天后宮合影。（左起）梅西卡，黃愛儀，姚寶珍，顏漢龍，楊金豐，黃志安，曾國強，施惠萍偕令慈黃麗蜜，許煒楠，許建陽，吳宛盈，蔡艷霞。
中圖二：巡訪團成員參觀描東岸及時紀念學校。
中圖三：與世界上最高的聖母瑪利亞雕像、描東岸「和平之母」合影留念；菲律濱第一條玻璃橋。
下圖：訪問團成員與Montemaria International Pilgrimage & Conference Center開發商合影。（坐者左起）許建陽，吳國安，曾國強，黃志安，朱志偉。