On 09 February 2025, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) attended the “21st Annual Philippine-China Traditional Cultural Festival" to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Philippines and China. The festival took place at Rizal Park, Manila, and was organized by the City Government of Manila, National Parks Development Committee, Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Manila Department of Tourism, Culture, and Arts, Manila Chinatown Development Council, and other organizations.
The festival began at five o’clock in the afternoon at the Chinese Garden in Rizal Park. Mr. Paul Yeung, Vice President of CFBCI, was appointed by President Samuel Lee Uy, to represent the organization at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Other distinguished guests in attendance were His Excellency Huang Xilian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China in the Philippines, Mr. Willord Chua, Chairman of the Manila Chinatown Development Council, leaders of the member organizations of the Filipino at Tsino Magkaibigan Foundation, and Mr. Gerald Uy Chan, Executive Vice President of CFBCI.
The event started with a lion dance and a heartwarming performance of Filipino and Chinese songs. In his speech, Mr. Chua emphasized the positive role of cultural exchanges in Filipino-Chinese friendship to all attendees. Moreover, the Ambassador expressed his hope that the festival will highlight the fruit-bearing relationship between the Philippines and China, especially in celebration of the 50th establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
In the evening, Rizal Park was lit up with thousands of overseas Chinese and Filipino citizens who came to enjoy the “Friendly Exchanges between China and the Philippines in History” themed photo exhibition. Various activities were also enjoyed by the attendees including lantern riddle guessing and calligraphy. They also marveled at the cultural and art performances arranged by the organizers, which gave them a glimpse of the traditions of the two countries.
菲華工商總會訊：由馬尼拉市政府，菲國家公園發展委員會，中國駐菲大使館，馬尼拉觀光、文化、藝術局，馬尼拉華人區發展委員會，菲華青年學社及亞典耀大學孔子學院聯合「菲華愛心基金」成員單位所舉辦的第二十一屆「菲中傳統文化節」，於二月九日（星期日）下午五時在馬尼拉市黎剎公園的中國花園舉行。本會副理事長楊良田受理事長黃書瑋委任，代表本會擔任剪綵及亮燈儀式嘉賓。其他出席的貴賓計有，中國駐菲律濱特命全權大使黃溪連閣下，馬尼拉華人區發展委員會主席蔡臻蔚，菲中愛心基金成員單位領導及本會執行副理事長曾國強等人。
活動在祥獅獻瑞及演奏莊嚴肅穆的菲、中國歌後，拉開序幕。馬尼拉華人區發展委員會主席蔡臻蔚致詞時，向所有與會人士強調了文化交流對菲中友誼的積極作用。
中國駐菲律濱特命全權大使黃溪連閣下則表示，期待「菲中傳統文化節」扮演好文明互鑑、民心互通的橋樑角色，為中菲關係未來發展注入更多暖流和活力；期待中菲雙方以兩國建交五十週年為契機，從歷史中汲取智慧和力量，推動兩國關係健康發展，行穩致遠。
當晚，黎剎公園內燈火璨爛，數千名華僑華人、菲律濱民眾到場欣賞「中菲歷史上的友好交往」主題圖片展，溯源了中菲跨越千年之久的政治交往、經貿活動、人文交流的歷史圖景，體驗猜燈謎、寫書法、畫糖畫、欣賞古箏演奏等各種文化項目，並且觀看主辦單位所精心安排的文藝匯演，讓與會者感受到兩國傳統文化交流互鑑的魅力。活動最後，以綻放璀璨煙花圓滿落幕。
「菲中傳統文化節」是為慶祝元宵節所舉辦，今年適逢菲中建交五十週年，節日和慶祝活動，促進兩國文化交流，讓傳統節日更有意義，也為兩國友誼增添光彩。
圖片說明：第二十一屆「菲中傳統文化節」活動圖輯。