09 June 2015 – The Philippine Madrigal Singers, also known as the MADZ, performed before a highly appreciative audience of 50 faculty members and students of the Department of International Relations in Xiamen University, Xiamen City on June 04. The MADZ are in Fujian Province from June 04 to 08 as part of their 2015 Concert Tour in China, which also includes performances in Chongqing, Shanghai, and Hongkong.

In his introduction of the MADZ, Philippine Consul General Julius Caesar Flores praised the MADZ as ambassadors of goodwill in promoting and furthering Philippine arts and culture to global audiences. He cited that the MADZ’s tour of Fujian province is a valuable undertaking which contributes to the strengthening of people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China.

The first part of the MADZ’s series of performances in Xiamen was held at the Xiamen University in cooperation with the Department of International Relations through Prof. Shi Xueqin, Vice Dean of the Department of International Studies, South East Asian Research Institute, Xiamen University.

Professor Shi conveyed Xiamen University’s appreciation to the Consulate General’s efforts to include Xiamen University in the MADZ’s Tour itinerary while in Fujian Province, especially in strengthening people-to-people contacts between the Philippines and Xiamen University.

As a special treat, the Xiamen University Choir performed for the MADZ and the Philippine Consulate General officers and staff. This was followed by the MADZ workshop conducted by Choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio.

Aside from the Xiamen University event, the MADZ did concert performances at the Concert Hall, Fujian Grand Theater in Fuzhou City on June 05, at the Kempinski Hotel in Xiamen City on June 06 and at the Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Xiamen City on June 08.

The MADZ’s China Tour forms part of the Consulate General’s commemorative activities for milestone events in 2015, namely the 117^th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, 40^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and China, and the 20^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Philippine Consulate General in Xiamen. END