Senator Cynthia Villar co-led the Philippine delegation’s visit to Jinjiang City with Laguna Congressman Joaquin Chipeco and Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco on 26 November 2016 highlighted by the following activities:
-
Wreath laying ceremony at the Rizal Park, Jinjiang City, the birthplace of Dr. Jose Rizal’s great, great paternal grandfather Domingo Lamco (Ke Yinan), who migrated to the Philippines 300 years ago from Jinjiang City’s Qiongque Village;
-
Tour of Jinjiang City Museum where Calamba City Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco donated books and other cultural items allotted for their Rizal corner and to the Philippines-Fujian historical ties section of the Museum; and,
-
Met with Vice Mayor Zhuang Tian Huai who welcomed the delegation warmly and expressed Jinjiang City government’s desire to forge a partnership with Calamba City to strengthen friendship, understanding and cooperation between the two cities.
In response, Mayor Justin Marc Chipeco expressed appreciation for the warm hospitality extended to the Philippine delegation as well as for the continued maintenance of Rizal Park in Jinjiang City. He cited various factors for the twinning proposal, underscoring the strong relationship ties between Calamba and Jinjiang as exemplified by Rizal and his ancestors.
In their speeches, Senator Villar and Congressman Joaquin Chipeco also extended their invitation for Vice Mayor Zhuang and other Jinjiang officials to visit the Philippines, particularly Calamba City. END
