Shanghai Celebrates with Philippines on 125th Anniversary of Independence
SHANGHAI 29 June 2023 – Government and business VIPs from Shanghai and surrounding provinces toasted to the Philippines’ gains and continued success at the 125th Independence Day diplomatic reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate General on 16 June 2023.
Leading the roster of over 250 guests trooping to The Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jing’an District was Shanghai Vice Mayor Li Zheng, who took the stage with Philippine Consul General General to Shanghai Josel F. Ignacio to honor the occasion.
Adding luster to the occasion was the participation of the most important and prestigious Municipal bodies. The Shanghai Municipal People’s Congress was represented by Deputy Director Lin Haiping (in charge of Overseas Chinese, Ethnic and Religious Affairs); the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) by Deputy Director for Culture, Health and Sports Xiao Zeping; and the Municipal Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) by Deputy Director General Bei Zhaojian.
Consul General Ignacio opened the reception with a well-received speech that concluded with a hearty toast to the Philippines and its ties with host country China. He also paid tribute to four decades of sister city ties between Metropolitan Manila and Shanghai, the anniversary of which fell on the previous day, 15 June.
A cake-cutting ceremony led by the Consul General and Vice Mayor Li ushered in the more festive segment of the program.
Guests took their phone cameras out as they enjoyed a high-energy performance of Bacolod’s famous Masskara dance led by Filipinos from the Pinoy Teachers’ Association in Shanghai (PITAS).
As looped videos of Philippine tourism destinations played, guests treated themselves generously to a buffet of delectable Filipino dishes such as adobo, kinilaw, crispy pata, lumpia, guinataang hipon, and pansit guisado, paired with desserts such as halo-halo, leche flan and pandan-mango rolls.
CG Ignacio with Shanghai Vice Mayor Li (2nd from left). Other guests of honor were Municipal People’s Congress representative Lin, CPPCC Director Xiao, Shanghai FAO DDG Bei, and Hubei FAO DG Zhang. (Shanghai PCG photo)
The bar showcasing Filipino fruit beverages as well as famous alcoholic drinks was busy throughout the event. San Miguel Beer and expertly mixed Tanduay Rum and Boracay Rum Coconut-based cocktails earned rave reviews.
Representatives of the FAOs of provinces covered by the Consulate General also traveled to Shanghai for the event. Hubei was represented by FAO Director General Zhang Xiaomei.
Attesting to the Philippines’ motto of being a “friend to all”, the Shanghai consular corps turned up in full force, the majority represented by no less than their respective Consuls General.
Not to be outdone were executives and representatives of several Chinese enterprises with investments or operations in the Philippines, whose presence attested to the intensity of the country’s economic engagement with Shanghai and the surrounding Yangtze River Delta Region
Also putting the country’s best foot forward were the leaders of Filipino community organizations, and executives of Filipino companies with operations or commercial presence in Eastern China. Among the enterprises represented were Liwayway China Co. Ltd., Dai-ichi Electronics Manufacturing Corp., Metrobank, ASPAC Land Development Shanghai Co. Ltd.
In a show of Filipino hospitality, departing guests were delighted to receive generous goody bags of Philippine brands such as Century Tuna, Pongpong Banana Chips, DOLE dried mangoes, Bebebalm skin products, and snacks from Oishi (Liwayway China Co. Ltd.). Rounding off the “loot” were PAL aircraft models and DOT tourism promotion flyers.
It was the first full diplomatic reception by the Consulate General in Shanghai in over a decade. In June 2021, with COVID-19 restrictions still in place, then newly arrived Consul General Ignacio hosted a limited Independence Day reception at the Parkyard Hotel in Pudong. In 2022, the Shanghai lockdown in Spring and remaining restrictions ruled out large-scale gatherings.
The diplomatic reception comes on the heels of a solemn outdoor flag-raising ceremony held on June 12 itself by the Consulate General held by its chancery in Changning District. END
Diplomatic reception as Philippine fiesta: guests enjoyed the Masskara dance performance, buffet of Pinoy dishes, Filipino cocktails and received loot bags of Philippine products on departure. (Shanghai PCG photo)
CG Ignacio with fellow Consuls General. The Consular Corps turned up in force at the reception. (Shanghai PCG photo)
Filipino Community leaders and movers raised the flag high at the diplomatic reception. (Shanghai PCG photo)
The hardworking Philippine Country Team in Shanghai: the Philippine Consulate General, Philippine Trade and Investment Center, and the Philippine Department of Tourism Office. (Shanghai PCG photo)
CG Ignacio and Shanghai Vice Mayor Li exchange felicitations and discuss Philippine-Shanghai ties at their tête-à-tête before the diplomatic reception. PTIC Chief Tani joined the talks. (Shanghai PCG photo)
Photo highlights from the PH National Day Reception at the Portman Ritz-Carlton. (Shanghai PCG photo)
For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.