The Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI), in collaboration with the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation, facilitated the “2025 CFBCI Traditional Lion Dance Invitational Cup” to celebrate the “50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of the Philippines and People’s Republic of China.” The competition was successfully held on May 25, 2025, at SM City San Lazaro Event Center.
A total of nine teams took part in the competition, namely: Dagupan Panda Lion & Dragon Dance Group Team A; Dagupan Panda Lion & Dragon Dance Group Team A; Northern Rizal Yorklin School Wushu, Dragon and Lion Dance Team A; Northern Rizal Yorklin School Wushu, Dragon and Lion Dance Team B; Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation Team A; Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation Team B; Santiago Sports Athletic Association Dragon Lion Dance Wushu Team A; Santiago Sports Athletic Association Dragon Lion Dance Wushu Team B; and Tiong Se Academy Lion Dance Team.
Various distinguished guests attended the opening ceremony including Hon. John Marvin “Yul Servo” Cruz Nieto, incumbent Vice Mayor of the City of Manila; Hon. Wang Minhao, Director of the Consular Section of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines; Hon. Kevin Cao, Consul; officials of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese schools in the Philippines; and Mr. Darcy P. Royo, General Manager of SM City San Lazaro. CFBCI officers and members also attended the event to express their full support.
The ceremony was held at 11:00 a.m., and Mr. Samuel Lee Uy, President of CFBCI, delivered the welcome address. In his speech, he emphasized that the Lion Dance is one of the longstanding Chinese traditions that symbolizes wealth and good fortune and is a significant cultural bridge that deepens the friendship between the Philippines and China.
He also thanked the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation for its consistent efforts in promoting the tradition throughout the years and encouraged the participants to embody the mission of upholding the traditions and values of their ancestors. He also highlighted that over the past 50 years of friendship between the Philippines and China, the two countries have supported each other in creating economic development and employment opportunities, and have deepened their friendship through cultural exchanges.
“The friendship between the two countries is not just a diplomatic relationship, but also a deep emotional and cultural bonding between the people. We hope that this long-lasting friendship will continue to grow steadily and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries,” he said.
In their speeches, Mayor Nieto and Director Wang highly recognized and appreciated the efforts of CFBCI in organizing the competition, stating that this event not only demonstrates the power and beauty of the Chinese lion dance, but also carries the cultural values that have been passed down from generation to generation. As an important symbol of traditional Chinese culture, the lion dance not only signifies the attraction of wealth and good fortune, but also serves as an important bridge to maintain the solidarity of the Chinese community and to promote the friendship between Filipino and Chinese people.
Afterwards, the officers of CFBCI and the Philippine Ling Nam Athletic Federation presented plaques of appreciation to their partners and the participating lion dance teams. Director Richard Alviar led the oath-taking, and President Uy spearheaded the eye-dotting ceremony. Then, the beginning of the competition was announced.
Immediately, the drums were beating loudly, and the atmosphere was very enthusiastic. Many people stopped by the mall to watch the lion dance competition, and the scene was filled with cheers and applause. It fully demonstrated the vitality and friendship of cultural exchanges between the Philippines and China, and added another beautiful chapter to the commemoration of the “50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between the Republic of the Philippines and People’s Republic of China.”
菲華工商總會訊：本會為慶祝菲中建交五十週年，特聯合菲律濱嶺南國術總會、菲律濱龍獅運動協會及菲律濱嶺南關聖宮龍獅團，於五月二十五日（星期日）上午假馬尼拉市SM San Lazaro商場活動中心，舉辦二零二五「工商盃」民間傳統舞獅邀請賽。共有九支頂尖獅隊參與激烈競技，分別來自菲律濱嶺南國術總會A、B隊，菲律濱中西學院舞獅隊，北黎剎育仁中學A、B隊，菲律濱仙朝峨體育會A、B隊及拉牛坂市菲華志願消防會A、B隊。
馬尼拉市副市長涅托(John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto)，中國駐菲大使館領僑處主任汪旻皓、領事曹凱文；菲華新聯公會會長施玉容；怡朗文藝聯盟理事長蘇祖儀；大岷區開發署特勤隊長吳嘉龍；及菲律濱華文學校聯合會多位校長主任：培德中學蔡山川校長、中西學院蔡蕊沓校長、北黎剎育仁中學蔡莉莎校長、聖瑪莉大學黃美美主任；SM商場副經理Darcy P. Royo等嘉賓親臨現場，為賽事增光添彩。
開幕儀式於當日上午十一時隆重登場，由理事長黃書瑋致詞歡迎詞，他表示舞獅是中華文化最具代表性的傳統之一，象徵招財納福、驅邪避凶，更是菲中友誼的重要文化橋樑。他特別感謝菲律濱嶺南國術總會多年來致力推廣舞獅文化，並勉勵在場所有參賽選手，肩負起傳承文化、弘揚祖先智慧的使命，展現現代青年守護傳統、堅守價值的精神風貌。他強調，菲中友誼五十年來彼此扶持，共創經濟發展與就業機會，更透過文化交流深化民間情誼。「兩國友誼不只是外交往來，更是人民之間的深厚情感與文化交融，我們希望這段歷久彌堅的情誼，能持續穩健發展，為兩國人民帶來更多美好成果。」
馬尼拉市副市長涅托及汪旻皓主任致詞時，對本會舉辦「工商盃」民間傳統舞獅邀請賽予以高度肯定與讚賞，紛紛表示，此項活動不僅展現了中華舞獅技藝的力與美，更承載著世代相傳的文化價值。舞獅作為中華傳統文化的重要象徵，不僅寓意招財納福、趨吉避凶，更是維繫華社凝聚力與促進菲中民間友誼的重要橋樑，對於文化傳承意義非凡，值得持續推廣與發揚。
隨後本會、嶺南國術總會領導，向各合作單位及參賽獅隊頒贈感謝盾牌，曾煥眉董事帶領參賽舞獅隊員宣誓，並進行醒獅點睛祝福，最後由主辦方領導及出席嘉賓一起鳴鑼擂鼓，本會理事長黃書瑋宣佈二零二五「工商盃」民間傳統舞獅比賽正式開始。
隨即鑼鼓喧天，氣氛熱烈，眾多民眾駐足商場觀看舞獅比賽，現場歡呼聲、掌聲不斷。充分展現菲中兩國民間文化交流的活力與友誼，為菲中建交五十週年紀念活動再添亮麗篇章。
主辦單位出席領導同仁包括：本會理事長黃書瑋、副理事長蔡金東、董事曾煥眉、常務理事洪海濱、林文龍及理事黃清秒、許純維、許啟敏、佘玲玲；嶺南國術總會理事長許長泰（亦是本會副理事長）、榮譽理事長曾國翔、副理事長關燦鑫、副理事長杜祖蔭（亦是本會董事）、吳肇新、總教練薛伍強師父。比賽主持人李美齡。
圖片說明：
上圖：（左起）理事長黃書瑋，副市長涅托，中國駐菲大使館領僑處主任汪旻皓，執行副理事長曾國強，主持人李美齡。
中圖一：（左起）許純維，許啟敏，佘玲玲，許長泰，蔡山川校長，曹凱文領事，汪旻皓主任，黃書瑋，副市長涅托，蔡金東，Darcy P. Roy，吳嘉龍，曾國翔，杜祖蔭，蘇祖儀，吳肇新，曾煥眉，林文龍。
中圖二：舞獅點睛，寓意著生意興隆、財源廣進，前程似錦。
中圖三：敲鑼。
中圖四：擂鼓。（左起）黃美美主任，蔡山川校長，蔡莉莎校長，蔡蕊沓校長，Darcy P. Roy。（右圖）頒贈感謝盾牌予SM商場，由副經理Darcy P. Roy代表接受。
下圖：賽前現場大合影。（前排左起）關燦鑫，杜祖蔭，施玉容，吳嘉龍，曾國翔，許長泰，蔡金東，副市長涅托，黃書瑋，汪旻皓主任，Darcy P. Roy，曹凱文領事，曾煥眉，佘玲玲，洪海濱。