On the 22nd of May, the Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) led by President Samuel Lee Uy, conducted its 4th Monthly Plenary Meeting with Hon. John M. Simon, Bureau of Customs Director for Internal Administration Group, as keynote speaker. The meeting was graced with the attendance of a hundred participants and was held at the CFBCI 8th floor auditorium in Binondo, Manila.

At the beginning of the meeting, Chinese Secretary Ellen Chong discussed the points at the monthly meeting agenda while English Secretary Mexica Bausa shared the recent events attended by the organization. At six o’clock in the evening, the arrival of the keynote speaker was announced and President Uy and other officers welcomed Director Simon to the auditorium.

In his empowering speech, Director Simon shared about his roots in which it was revealed that his predecessors are merchant Tsinoys. Thus, going back to Binondo, the center of trade and commerce before and during the Spanish colonization times, to converse with Tsinoy businessmen seems like a sentimental encounter to him. Director Simon also spoke about his excellent workings in the Bureau of Customs especially his persistence in sending back tons of garbage to foreign countries which were illegally transported to the country, and the prestigious commendations he received for these brave acts of public service.

Throughout his talk, the audience consisting of CFBCI officers and members, and other individuals from various backgrounds listened carefully while nodding in agreement and appreciation of Director Simon’s stories. Public service is not an easy field, it requires strong mental fortitude and determination to serve for the common good. Director Simon also emphasized the huge importance of the relationship between the Philippines and China in fostering greater economic health in the country.

After the talk, a plaque of appreciation was awarded to the Director and everyone applauded loudly for his excellent speech. Then, a sumptuous banquet was enjoyed by everyone.

菲華工商總會訊：本會第十四屆第四次理事會議，於五月廿二日（星期三）下午六時，假本會八樓禮堂召開，由理事長黃書瑋親自主持。理事會議結束後，邀請海關局內部行政處長西蒙 (John M. Simon) 擔任貴賓和主講人，當天共有六十餘位來自馬尼拉各地，及丹轆、描東岸、依沙迷拉等外省同仁前來參加。

西蒙處長致詞時，首先向大家分享他的祖先是華裔商人，他表示很榮幸有這個機會能夠與本會領導同仁齊聚一堂，就海關局目前的各項政策及改革方案交換意見，並指出，岷倫洛是西班牙殖民時代之前和期間的重要商貿中心。他在講座中闡述了其在海關局所處理的各大案件，包括將上噸非法進口到菲律濱的洋垃圾成功的運回原來的出口國，及擔任公務員至今所獲得的各項獎項；最後西蒙處長強調菲律濱與中國的關係，對促進菲律濱經濟發展扮演著巨大作用。本會領導同仁表示身為優秀的公務員，需要有強大的心理承受力和一顆為國為民服務的決心，才能做出一番政績。對於西蒙處長盡心盡力為民服務的精神表示讚揚，對海關局的改革發展前景很是看好。

講座結束後，本會領導贈送感謝盾予主講人西蒙處長，接著邀請五月壽星：副理事長楊良田，理事董事柯仁義，常務理事王榮躍、許建陽、楊佳玲，理事朱遠建上台，全體一起為他們唱生日快樂歌慶生，場面熱鬧而溫馨。

圖片說明：
上左圖：主講人西蒙處長演講中。
上右圖：頒贈感謝盾予主講人（左起）吳恆利，杜祖蔭，楊良田，西蒙處長，黃書瑋，林天德，曾煥眉，柯仁義。
中左圖：本會領導同仁為五月壽星慶生（左起）朱遠建，王榮躍，楊良田，柯仁義，西蒙處長，楊佳玲，許建陽，黃書瑋，林天德。
中右圖：（坐者左起）杜祖蔭，楊良田，黃書瑋，西蒙處長，林天德，胡林美智。（後排左起）顏漢龍，王輝益，姚慶祕，梁清江，林文龍，洪海濱，許福星，柯仁義。
下圖：全體與會人士合影留念。