On 22 February 2025, more than 300 high school students from the National Capital Region, Region IV-A (CALABARZON) and Region V (Bicol Region) traveled to the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman to participate in the 16th installment of “PED XING: The Premier Political Competition, Conference, and Camp in the Philippines” with the theme “Takda, Akda, Gawa: Kilos na Kabataan!”. The event, organized by the UP Political Society, was formally opened on that day at Palma Hall Lobby, and to represent the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI), Corporate Secretary Henry S. Go delivered a speech.
To officially begin the program, an ecumenical prayer was held followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Then, Mr. Pio Gavino, President of UP Political Society, gave some opening remarks, wishing all participants the luck and enjoyment. Afterward, CFBCI as a major partner of the event was introduced, receiving positive feedback from the crowd.
On behalf of President Samuel Lee Uy, Corporate Secretary Henry S. Go delivered a message in which he thanked the UP Political Society for giving CFBCI the privilege to support such a significant project. “CFBCI, although a business organization, is a champion of youth empowerment evident in our various initiatives aiming to empower the younger generation. We are very proud to share that CFBCI is among the very few organizations in the Chinoy community which offer full scholarship for college students,” he said.
Moreover, Mr. Go commended the unwavering efforts of UP Political Society in upholding academic excellence, progressive leadership, diversity in activism, critical thinking, political awareness, and political involvement. CFBCI sincerely believes that this organization’s consistent efforts to promote these principles contribute significantly to making the Philippines a more inclusive, progressive, and humane society. “Because after all, the young should stand at the forefront of change and innovation,” he added.
In closing, Mr. Go shared a few powerful words from Dr. Raul V. Fabella, a Philippine National Scientist. Dr. Fabella said: “More than heroes, the country needs thoughtful heroes. For it is not enough to have a heart. We have more than we need of sentimental heroism; for far too many crimes are perpetrated in the name of the poor by sentimental heroes.”
“Like all of you, we Chinoys are advocating for leaders who will lead the Philippines towards a brighter future. We are in this together — because we may be Chinese in blood, but we are a hundred percent Filipino by heart,” Mr. Go said, receiving a resounding round of applause from the students. After his speech, the general instructions for the competition, conference, and camp were announced and all the contingents began to prepare for the battle of talents and political wit.
菲華工商總會訊：本會自成立以來，除了實施各項社會福利方案以外，亦長期支持各項青年發展活動。二月廿二日（星期六）上午八時，由本會贊助、菲律濱國立大學政治學會主辦的第十六屆菲律濱首屈一指的政治競賽、會議和訓練營（簡稱PED XING XVI），假菲律濱國立大學計順市迪里曼校區帕爾馬大廳舉行開幕式。本屆主題為「命運、創作、行動：行動了！青年們」（Takda, Akda, Gawa: Kilos na Kabataan !）。本次是歷屆規模最大的一屆，共有三百餘位來自大岷區及鄰近城市的高中生出席參加。本會理事長黃書瑋委派立案秘書吳恆利代表出席擔任主賓致詞。
開幕式由該學會會長Pio Gavino致歡迎詞，他表示舉辧PED XING活動，旨在強調青年民主參與的重要性和提升作為國家未來領導人的特質。參加的學生都是所屬學校的佼佼者，但一山還有一山高，希望在經過良性交流切磋後，所有參與PED XING XVI的學生都能有豐富的收益；他同時代表菲律濱國立大學政治學會感謝菲華工商總會贊助此次活動。最後祝福大家都能取得好成績。
本會立案秘書吳恆利致詞時表示，本會很榮幸能夠贊助PED XING XVI，並指出，本會雖然是一個商會，但是自成立以來，長期支持各項青年發展活動，而且也是華社提供全額助學金予貧寒大學生的少數組織之一。他同時讚揚菲律濱國立大學政治學會在維護學術卓越、進步領導、多元化活動、批判性思維、政治意識和政治參與等方面做出堅定不移的努力，貢獻良多，這將極大地推動菲律濱成為一個更加包容、進步和人道的社會。他補充說：「畢竟，年輕人應該站在變革與創新的最前線。」
最後，吳立案秘書說到，像你們所有人一樣，我們華人也正在倡導領導人能夠帶領菲律濱走向更光明的未來。我們同舟共濟，因為我們雖然流著中國人的血，但骨子裡我們是百分百的菲律濱人。最後祝願活動能夠取得圓滿成功。講話結束後，現場響起熱烈的掌聲。
開幕式在主辦單位頒贈感謝狀予本會，由立案秘書吳恆利代表接受後結束，隨即開始進行兩天的各項競賽及訓練。
圖片說明：
上左圖：本會立案秘書吳恆利在開幕式致詞。
上右圖：PED XING XVI兩天活動海報設計。
中圖：（左起）本會西文秘書梅西卡，吳恆利，活動企劃組長Nadhine Andal，菲律濱國立大學政治學會外交組長Natalie Baltazar。
下圖：開幕式會場一隅。