By Kris Crismundo/Philippine News Agency
BEIJING — The Filipino community in China’s capital ended its celebration of 121st Philippine Independence Day at the Philippine Embassy on Sunday, showcasing Filipino food, folk songs and dances, and indigenous games.
Under the theme of “Tapang ng Bayan, Malasakit sa Mamamayan” (Courage of the Nation, Compassion for the People), Philippine Ambassador to China Jose Santiago Sta. Romana said the 121st year commemoration of the country’s independence reflects the spirit that drives Filipinos to live and work abroad.
“You’re all staying and living abroad driven by your compassion for your loved ones in the Philippines,” Sta. Romana said in his welcome remarks.
“It is our hope that our gathering here today will inspire the spirit of compassion towards each other. Because when we are here in China, there’s nobody else we can rely on except our fellow Filipinos,” he added.
“You’re all staying and living abroad driven by your compassion for your loved ones in the Philippines,” Sta. Romana
He also stressed that the Philippine embassy in Beijing is always open to hear and help with the needs and complaints of Filipinos living and working in China.
The Philippine envoy noted that the Filipino community in China also reflects the “strong friendship” between the two countries.
Foreigners also joined the Philippine Independence Day celebration at the embassy.
Meanwhile, booths that were set up in the embassy sold local food such as daing na bangus (dried milkfish), tocino, longganisa, sisig, adobo, and lechon belly among others.
They also offered famous street food such as chicharon bulaklak, kwek-kwek, pork barbeque, and iskrambol (ice scramble), as well as Filipino desserts like leche flan, biko, and ginataang bilo-bilo.
The Filipino Community in Beijing (FilComBei) also set up a sari-sari store wherein they sold items that hardly to be found in shops in China.
The Philippine Independence celebration here lasted for more than a week, which started with the Philippine Food Festival at Makan Kitchen in Hilton Beijing Hotel last June 7.
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