The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen reports the official visit to Xiamen of Professor Felipe de Leon, Jr. Chairman, National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Ms. Veronica Amboni, Project Development Officer/OIC, Asian and Pacific Affairs from 08-11 December 2016.
The following are the highlights of Professor de Leon’s visit:
- Courtesy Call on Officials of Xiamen Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Press and Publication, 09 December 2016
Mr. Lin Jin Chuan, Director, Xiamen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Press and Publication welcomed the Philippine delegation and discussed the importance of the visit of Professor de Leon in promoting the Philippine culture and arts to the people of Xiamen and Fujian as well as strengthening relations and linkages between the Philippines and China. Both sides expressed the importance of cultural cooperation and looked forward to more exchanges in the future. It was agreed that NCCA will submit a specific executive program for implementation in 2017 and beyond.
- Lecture at Xiamen University (Southeast Asia) Nanyang Institute, 09 December 2016
Professor de Leon conducted a lecture “What Makes Filipinos Filipino” to Xiamen University’s Nanyang (Southeast Asia) Institute. Professor Shi Xueqin, Vice Dean, expressed appreciation to the Consulate General’s efforts in promoting the Philippines to Nanyang Institute students including the visit of Professor de Leon who gained a better understanding of Filipino identity and culture. Professor de Leon impressed Nanyang Institute faculty and students such that he has been invited to deliver a lecture on Philippine culture and the arts (focusing on Philippine music) in 2017.
- Official Inauguration of Consulate General’s Sentro Rizal-Xiamen & Lecture to the Filipino Community & Consulate General’s Officers and Staff, 10 December 2016
Sentro Rizal-Xiamen was officially inaugurated on 10 December 2016 at the Consulate General’s Bulwagang Bayan/Heroes Hall, marking the 25th Sentro Rizal in all Philippine Foreign Service Embassies and Consulates. Earlier, the Consulate General launched in 2014 and in 2016 soft openings of Sentro Rizal-Xiamen (reported in ZXN-319-2014 and ZXN-149-2016).
A highlight of the launching was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between NCCA, represented by Chairman de Leon and the Consulate General, represented by the Consul General Flores.
In brief remarks, the Consul General Flores expressed Consulate General’s appreciation to Professor de Leon and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in underscoring the event as another milestone and opportunity to further promote Filipino culture and arts as well as sustain the Consulate General’s efforts to contribute to the propagation of the life and works of Dr. Jose P. Rizal to Filipinos in Fujian. Consul General Flores welcomed that SR-Xiamen holds the significant distinction of being located in the ancestral land of Rizal’s great, great grandfather, Domingo Lamco from Jinjiang City where a 5-hectare Rizal Park inaugurated in 2002.
Furthermore, Professor de Leon also conducted a lecture “What Makes Filipinos Filipino” to the Consulate General’s officers and staff and to the Filipino community. The topic was well received and appreciated as it contributed to a better understanding about our Filipino values, heritage and culture. The audience participated actively in the open forum.
- Parol Lighting at SM Xiamen, 10 December 2016
Consul General Flores led the parols/lanterns lighting ceremony at SM Xiamen with Professor de Leon as guest of honor. The parol lighting forms part of the Consulate General’s cultural diplomacy thrusts for 2016 in cooperation with SM Xiamen to promote Philippine Christmas traditions in Xiamen as well as to Fujian and to showcase the parols/lanterns provided by the City of San Fernando, Pampanga and the Giant Lantern Festival Foundation.
The lighting ceremony was attended by Mr. Tyrone Tan of SM Xiamen and its officials, Consulate General’s officers and staff and members of the Filipino community and other guests. The parols/lanterns display will run for the whole duration of December 2016 until January 2017.
- Visit to Cultural/Historical Sites, 11 December 2016
Professor de Leon also visited two of the most famous historical/cultural sites in Xiamen, the Nanputuo Temple and Hulishan Fortress. The Nanputou is a Buddhist Temple founded during the Tang dynasty and embodies the long history and culture of Southeast China. It is located in the southeast of Xiamen Island and adjacent to Xiamen University. The Hulishan Fortress is another historical site surrounded with walls made of granite. It displays more than 50 well preserved iron canons from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The Consulate General also commended the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in undertaking this activity which is an excellent vehicle for people-to-people contacts and as a valuable partner in pursuing its cultural and public diplomacy thrusts that promotes enhanced cooperation, better understanding and friendship between the Philippines and Fujian on one hand, and on the other, between the Philippines and China. END
