In line with the celebration of the National Heritage Month 2019, the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen successfully launched “The Beauty of the Philippines: A Photo Exhibition on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Philippines” held at the Minnan Culture Town, Huli District, Xiamen City on 31 May 2019. Close to 300 guests attended the launching at this shopping complex.
The exhibit, running from 31 May to 15 June 2019, is a joint collaboration of the Consulate General, the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM), Minnan Culture Town, Sunshine Culture Company and Tawid Heritage Center, one of the Consulate General’s cultural diplomacy partners.
The exhibit mounted thirty (30) framed photos showcasing the 6 (six) sites as proclaimed by UNESCO in cultural and natural categories which includes the Baroque Churches of the Philippines (San Agustin Church in Manila, Paoay Church in Ilocos Norte, Santa Maria Church in Ilocos Sur, Miag-ao Church in Iloilo), Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, the Historic City of Vigan and Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary.
Consul General Julius Caesar A. Flores, in his remarks, expressed appreciation to UNACOM- Philippines for its valuable support and stated the showcased Philippine sites provided an excellent introduction of the rich and diverse beauty of the Philippine archipelago.
Among the VIP guests who attended the opening ceremony were Consul General Chi Chiew Sum of Singapore Consulate General in Xiamen, Deputy Director General Qiu Yongcai of Xiamen Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) in charge of Xiamen People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mr. Zhang Jie of Ancient Minnan Town and Ms. Chan Su of Sunshine Culture Company. Other guests include members of Filipino community, business sector, media, academe and official contacts and friends.
The Manila Xiamen International School (MXIS) faculty provided performances showcasing medleys of Filipino folk dances and pop songs. Refreshments of assorted rice cakes (puto, cuchinta or kutsinta) and other favorite snacks (buko pandan, maja blanca, leche flan) were served to the delight of the guests.
The exhibition is a mainstreaming activity under the Consulate General’s cultural diplomacy thrusts for 2019 which aims to promote the Philippines in Fujian and elsewhere through exhibitions which will contribute towards the nurturing and strengthening of ties between the Philippines and China.
The Consulate General intends to further showcase the said exhibit in other venues in Xiamen, Fujian and Jiangxi in the near future.
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