The Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI), in collaboration with the City Government of Manila, Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII), and Manila Chinatown Development Council, distributed a total of 1,000 Chinese rice cakes (tikoy) to the residents of the City of Manila on February 5, 2024 to express the Chinese community’s well wishes to Manileños as we approach the Lunar New Year and strengthen the mutual friendship between Filipinos and the Chinese people.

The event was organized by the Manila Chinatown Development Council, with the presence of the CFBCI President, Mr. Stephen T. Sia, Honorary President, Mr. Alejandro Co (also on behalf of Grand Family Association), and the Plenary Member, Mr. Ramon Cheng, who exchanged greetings with the city officials and the leaders of the Chinese community in Manila to celebrate the Year of the Wooden Dragon.

The eye-dotting ceremony of the lions was led Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and accompanied by leaders of renowned Chinoy associations in Manila. When the gongs and drums were sounded after the eye-dotting ceremony, the City Hall atrium was crowded with people. The lion and dragon dancers gave a superb performance, and the atmosphere was full of joy and excitement.

Afterwards, the rice cakes were handed to the Mayor who in turn distributed the sweet rice cakes to all citizens present. Everyone who received the rice cakes thanked the city and the Chinese community for their love.

菲華工商總會訊：由華社各主要團體所組成的「菲中愛心基金」，於二月五日（星期一）上午九時贈送一千份年糕（甜粿）予馬尼拉市政府，以表達華社對市政府的新春祝福及促進菲中兩國人民友好關係。本會理事長謝國萬、名譽理事長許長安（代表宗聯）及理事莊南文等人，均到場和在場市府官員、華社領袖互致問候，同賀龍年行大運。

活動開始，由馬尼拉市長拉庫娜（Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan）、本會理事長謝國萬、菲華商聯總會理事長施東方、菲律濱中國商會會長侯世練及菲華各界聯合會主席蔡永寧等人為醒獅點睛後正式開始；舞獅點睛後的鑼鼓聲響起時，市政府中庭就擠滿了看熱鬧的人潮，龍騰獅躍的精湛表演，現場氣氛喜氣洋洋。
隨後，本會理事長謝國萬、菲華商聯總會理事長施東方、菲律濱中國商會會長侯世練及菲華各界聯合會主席蔡永寧代表「菲中愛心基金」將年糕移交予市長拉庫娜。市長拉庫娜也將收到的甜粿當場分送給所有在場的廣大市民。每位收到年糕的群眾都感謝來自市府及華社的愛心。

圖片說明：（從左至右）
上左圖：菲律濱中國商會會長侯世練、菲華商聯總會理事長施東方、馬尼拉市長拉庫娜、菲華各界聯合會主席蔡永寧及本會理事長謝國萬。
上右圖：本會理事長謝國萬為醒獅點睛。
下圖：「菲中愛心基金」成員代表與馬尼拉市長拉庫娜合影。