The Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX) in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen celebrated the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival on 11 September 2016 with a community get-together and “bo bing (dice) games” at the Consulate General’s grounds. Also known as Harvest or Mooncake Festival, this annual event affords occasion for family reunion, thanksgiving and prayer. The Mid-Autumn Festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

In his remarks during a brief program, Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores said that the annual event is a great opportunity for Filipinos and their friends to observe the centuries-old traditional Fujian custom that strengthens their bonds of friendship, understanding and camaraderie.

One of the highlights of this festival is the “bo bing game”, a traditional southern Fujian dice game developed by pirate-cum-patriot Koxinga that dates back to the Ming Dynasty to relieve homesickness and boredom among his troops with prizes ranging from tiny cookies to medium and large mooncakes, with one grand prize – the “Zhuangyuan” cake, the biggest and best mooncake.

This activity brought together 200 Filipinos and their Chinese and foreign friends from Xiamen City. It is one of FAX’s fundraising events for 2016. Post’s staff and their families also joined the FAX event.

The Consulate General supports FAX’s various events held throughout the year that redound to the socio-cultural upliftment of the Filipino community in Xiamen and Fujian Province. END