The Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) has actively supported the Manila Chinatown Revitalization Project, an initiative jointly promoted by the City Government of Manila and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. As part of this effort, CFBCI led the renovation and landscape enhancement of a key landmark — the South Bridge on Ongpin Street, also known as the Filipino-Chinese Friendship Bridge. The project aims to preserve the historical identity of the world’s oldest Chinatown while introducing modern elements that reinvigorate the district and restore its former vibrancy.

The renovation plan was coordinated by CFBCI leaders under the guidance of Honorary President Samuel Lee Uy and Vice President William Rogando, with construction beginning in January 2026. Major improvements included a full repainting of the bridge and the installation of a modern LED landscape lighting system.

Despite the tight schedule, workers completed the project in just two weeks so the newly refurbished bridge could welcome visitors in time for the Lunar New Year. On February 20, a solemn blessing ceremony led by Rev. Fr. Henry Min, O.P., together with CFBCI President Gerald Uy Chan and other officers, formally dedicated the renewed landmark as a symbol of unity and enduring friendship between the Filipino and Chinese communities.

Beyond its ceremonial significance, the revitalized bridge has brought practical and cultural benefits to the district. The upgraded lighting improves nighttime safety for pedestrians while enhancing the area’s visual appeal. Its dynamic illumination, harmonizing with surrounding architectural lighting, has quickly transformed the site into a popular attraction for both local and international visitors, serving as a vibrant gathering place during community celebrations.

The bridge renovation forms part of the broader Manila Chinatown Revitalization Project, which includes landmark beautification, improved street infrastructure, and environmental upgrades designed to restore the area’s historical role as a commercial, cultural, and spiritual center. Following earlier improvements such as the lighting of Jones Bridge, the initiative has moved into its next phase focusing on Ongpin Street and nearby neighborhoods.

Through strong cooperation between government and private organizations, the project reflects a shared commitment to heritage preservation, tourism development, and the continued renewal of Manila’s historic Chinatown.

菲華工商總會訊：本會積極投入社會公益，響應政府與第一夫人麗莎‧阿蘭內塔‧馬可斯（Liza Araneta-Marcos）女士共同推動的「馬尼拉華埠復興計劃」（Manila Chinatown Revitalization Project），全面負責該計劃核心地標——王彬街南橋——菲中友誼橋之修繕與景觀美化工程。透過翻新整建，致力守護這座全球最古老華埠的歷史風貌，同時注入現代活力，再現華埠昔日繁華榮景。

此次工程由本會名譽理事長（時任理事長）黃書瑋及副理事長（時任董事）杜祖蔭共同統籌規劃，訂定修繕藍圖，並於今年一月正式啟動施工。工程包括全面粉刷翻新，以及現代化LED景觀照明系統安裝等項目。為迎接農曆新年到來，工作團隊全力以赴，歷經兩週緊鑼密鼓的密集趕工，所有修繕作業終在春節前夕圓滿竣工，使修葺一新的南橋得以在新春之際，以嶄新面貌重新服務社區居民與八方遊客。並於二月二十日（星期五）下午，敦請天主教道明會，閔宗水神父(Rev. Fr. Henry Min O.P.) 親臨主禮，為修繕煥新的菲中友誼橋及紀念碑主持隆重祝聖儀式。

是日典禮，由理事長曾國強帶領名譽理事長黃書瑋，副理事長杜祖蔭，立案秘書吳恆利，常務理事莊南文、留牡丹、葉啟龍、王明雄，秘書處吳宛盈等眾人在神聖祈禱中，共同祝求天主慈光指引、永恆庇佑這座象徵菲中兩民族團結友好的橋樑，使其成為堅固不朽的情誼見證。
煥然一新的王彬街南橋，不僅大幅提升了夜間行走的安全與街區的景觀質感，橋身光影流轉，與周邊建築燈飾交相輝映，迅速躍升為國內外觀光客駐足打卡的熱門地標，亦成為節慶盛典中凝聚歡樂氛圍的核心場景。

「馬尼拉華埠復興計劃」立足深厚歷史脈絡，透過節點美化、景觀照明及街道整體提升等系統性工程，致力重塑華埠作為商貿樞紐、信仰聖地及社區核心的歷史地位。該計劃不僅旨在帶動觀光產業發展，更深入推動文化復興與社區情感凝聚，全面展現華埠的文化底蘊與時代風貌。

繼歷史名橋——瓊斯大橋（Jones Bridge）成功點亮璀璨夜景後，計劃穩步邁入第二階段，重點展開王彬街修繕及周邊街區的整體環境提升工程。此階段工程深刻彰顯政府與民間攜手同心、共同守護歷史瑰寶的堅定意志，亦具體體現對文化傳承與社區營造的積極投入。透過公私協力，華埠正逐步再現昔日繁華榮景，煥發嶄新的文化生機與城市魅力。

王彬街自一九一五年命名以來，一直是馬尼拉唐人街的主要街道，被視為當地華人社區的代名詞。王彬街設有多座中式牌坊門，包括「中菲友誼門」、「王彬北橋」、「王彬南橋」及「親善門」，這些牌坊以紅磚構築、綠琉璃瓦覆頂、嵌青石字匾，是馬尼拉華埠的重要視覺標誌。

王彬街南北兩座橋樑的重新命名，與本會有著密切的歷史淵源。二零零二年，本會第二次全國會員代表大會於總統府禮儀廳揭幕，時任菲律濱總統亞羅育發表演講時表揚本會為增進中菲兩國友誼，成功促成了北京市與馬尼拉市結為姐妹城市，當場宣佈將華人區王彬街南北兩橋分别重新命名為「馬尼拉—北京友誼橋」和「菲中友誼橋」，並將每年的六月九日定為「菲中友誼日」，藉以彰顥菲、中兩國間之歷史性恆久友誼。

從促成兩座友誼橋命名，到如今親自主導南橋修復，本會始終扮演著華社與政府之間的重要橋樑角色，展現了政民同心守護歷史瑰寶的堅定意志。

這不僅是一座物理意義上的橋樑，更象徵著菲華兩民族情誼的連結，以及華人社區薪火相傳、生生不息的文化精神在流光溢彩中，照亮過去，也指引未來。

本會此次積極參與「馬尼拉華埠復興計劃」，既是回應第一夫人的倡議，更是華社對文化傳承與城市建設的共同承諾。展望未來，本會將持續配合政府推動相關項目，攜手各界為岷倫洛——這座全球最古老的華埠——打造更具歷史厚度與現代活力的國際文化地標，讓菲華兩民族的情感在此交融，讓世界看見華埠的獨特魅力與不朽風華。

圖片說明：
上左圖：本會領導同仁在王彬南橋牌坊合影留念。（左起）王明雄，葉啟龍，留牡丹，曾國強，閔宗水神父，黃書瑋，吳恆利，杜祖蔭，莊南文。
上右圖：閔宗水神父帶領本會領導同仁在菲中友誼橋紀念碑處主持祝聖儀式。
下圖：（左起）莊南文，王明雄，吳恆利，黃書瑋，閔宗水神父，曾國強，杜祖蔭，留牡丹，葉啟龍等於祝聖儀式後在菲中友誼橋紀念碑前合影留念。