The Kaya ng Pinoy – Balangay Expedition Voyage to China successfully completed the Fujian Leg, 03-06 and 12 May 2018 highlighted by the following program of activities:

The Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen hosted on 03 May 2018 a welcome dinner for the Balangay delegation at Kempinski Hotel, Xiamen. VIPs led by Expedition Team leader, former DENR/DOTC Undersecretary Arturo Valdez, Mr. Pastor Saycon of the EDSA Peole Power Commission, Princess Jacel Kiram, Manila City Councilor Bernardito Ang, and Mr. Pacifico G.P. Sanchez, Office of the Special Envoy to China.

A formal Welcome Ceremony on 04 May 2018 was also held where the Balangay delegation was also warmly received by local Xiamen officials including officials from the Xiamen Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (FOCAO), the Port Authority of Xiamen Municipal Government, Xiamen Customs, Xiamen Port Holdings Group, Xiamen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration, officers of the Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX), students, and members of the media.

As Expedition leader, Mr. Valdez also visited Xiamen City Library and Xiamen Overseas Chinese Museum and turned-over Balangay replicas and publications.

On 05 May 2018, Consul General Flores led the Balangay delegation in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Rizal Monument in Jinjiang City attended by Jinjiang Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office (FOCAO). The delegation also visited the Quanzhou City Maritime Museum where Mr. Valdez turned-over a Balangay replica and publications to the Museum.

Mr. Valdez conducted on 06 May 2018 a comprehensive lecture on the Philippines’ Maritime Heritage at the Consulate General’s Bulwagang Bagumbayan, attended by PCG Officers and staff, members of the Filipino community, students and faculty of the Manila-Xiamen International School (MXIS) and the Balangay crew.

Mr. Valdez also conducted a similar lecture on 11 May 2018 at Nanyang (Southeast Asia) Institute, Xiamen University on Philippine Maritime Heritage attended by students and faculty members of the institute and of the Manila-Xiamen International School.

Having visited the various museums in Xiamen, Jinjiang and Quanzhou cities, the Expedition team learned about the rich maritime culture of Fujian province and explored possibilities for cooperation with said museums to promote Philippine maritime heritage.

The Balangay Expedition Team left Xiamen for Hong Kong on 12 May 2018 for the last leg of its voyage before returning to the Philippines.

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