Filipinos Enter New Home in Xiamen with Kamustahan and Kasiyahan
XIAMEN 12 April 2024 – A total of 160 Filipinos from Xiamen City and other parts of Fujian province, adorned in their best Filipiniana, trooped to the new chancery of the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen on 60 April 2024 to attend “Tuloy Po Kayo! Kamustahan at Kasiyahan sa Ating Bagong Tahanan.”
Together as a community, Filipino students, teachers, musicians, professionals, and household service workers (HSWs), held back tears as they sang acapella with great fervor the Philippine National Anthem led by Attaché Ms. Regina de la Fuente. The Philippine flag was raised by Philippine National Police (PNP) Police Corporal Genjie Ompoy, who is currently taking Mandarin classes at Huaqiao University.
In her opening remarks, Consul General Maria Antonina M. Mendoza-Oblena said, “we welcome our kababayans with great pride to our new home in Xiamen which is now one of the symbols of the Philippines in China.”
The new chancery, a beautiful Filipino-inspired architectural structure complete with capiz-inspired lattice windows, limestone walls, wooden balustrades, Filipino wood carving and weaving designs, and a Kawit-inspired French balcony, was designed by Chinese Filipino Architect Tecson Uy and designer Ms. Liz Ongtengsiem-Go.
Former Labor Attache Mr. Rustico de la Fuente was the event’s honored guest and resource person. He discussed the OWWA Voluntary Membership Program and core ideas on reintegration during the Kamustahan segment. Consul General Oblena likewise delivered a presentation on Bagong Pilipinas and information about realities of HSWs in China.
In celebration of Filipino Food Month, guests had a delightful taste of home with a Filipino buffet lunch prepared by Marc’s, a local Filipino restaurant in Xiamen. The afternoon was filled with fun and games prepared by FAX, with popular Filipino games such as Pinoy Henyo and a generous raffle draw.
Video summary of the event can be viewed here https://youtu.be/c94EHRVfAZI. END
For more information, visit https://www.xiamenpcg.dfa.gov.ph.