Wazzup Pilipinas!?
PASAY CITY, Philippines, June 8, 2026 — A spirit of friendship, gratitude, and cultural pride filled the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Monday evening as the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII), together with the Chinese-Filipino community, celebrated three significant milestones: the 128th Philippine Independence Day, the 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China, and the 25th Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day.
The gathering brought together government officials, business leaders, community representatives, and guests from both countries to recognize the long-standing ties between the Filipino and Chinese peoples—relationships built through centuries of trade, cultural exchange, and cooperation.
Organizers noted that the celebration reflected more than a thousand years of shared history and a common vision for peace, education, economic growth, and mutual understanding.
Among the evening’s distinguished guests were First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, and Chinese Ambassador H.E. Jing Quan.
Business leaders and members of the Filipino-Chinese community also attended the event.
In his message, Senator Cayetano emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between communities and nations through dialogue, cooperation, and shared opportunities.
He joined fellow guests in commemorating the occasion, which highlighted the continuing importance of economic, cultural, and diplomatic engagement between the Philippines and China.
A highlight of the evening was FFCCCII’s recognition of local government partners. Led by FFCCCII President Victor Lim and the federation’s Board of Trustees, the organization presented a ₱1-million token of appreciation to the City Government of Pasay through Mayor Imelda “Emi” Calixto-Rubiano.
Another ₱1 million sponsorship was awarded to the city government of Manila and received by Mayor Isko Moreno. The Exemplar City Mayor Award was presented to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte in recognition of her commitment to transparent, efficient, and people-centered governance.
In her remarks, Belmonte thanked FFCCCII for the recognition and reaffirmed her dedication to public service and responsible stewardship of public resources for the benefit of Quezon City residents.
The celebration also welcomed Chinese actress Zhang Yingfei, widely recognized for portraying “Linda Walker” in the viral short drama series The Heiress Who Won With Brains. Her participation formed part of FFCCCII’s “Education for a Better Future” advocacy campaign, which promotes learning, youth empowerment, and stronger community engagement.
During the event, discussions centered on the value of education, perseverance, and cultural exchanges in building stronger connections between the people of the Philippines and China.
As the formal program concluded, the celebration continued with a colorful showcase of Filipino and Chinese music and dance performances. The cultural presentations delighted attendees and served as a reminder that despite differences in language and tradition, friendship and shared aspirations remain powerful bridges between communities.
The evening concluded with a sense of optimism, reaffirming the lasting partnership and friendship that continue to unite Filipinos and Chinese across generations.
Written by: Micah Grace Buenafe
Images from: Kelvin Flores
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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