The Association for Philippines–China Understanding (APCU) will stage the 5th Awards for Promoting Philippines–China Understanding (APPCU) on June 3, 2025, at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel.
This year’s edition pays tribute to 12 distinguished Filipinos whose efforts have helped build bridges between the peoples of the Philippines and China through cultural diplomacy, public service, education, and community leadership.
APCU, in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines, spearheads the awards as part of its broader mission to deepen bilateral understanding through dialogue, cultural and academic exchanges, sister-city partnerships and business cooperation.
“The purpose of APPCU is to highlight how individuals, not just institutions or governments, have actively contributed to fostering goodwill and understanding between our two nations. We are not here to politicize the relationship. We are here to bridge the divide between the Filipino and Chinese people,” said APCU chairman Raul Lambino in a pre-event briefing.
The event coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and will feature performances from the Chinese Cultural Courier in the Philippines.
Established on January 16, 2021, during a virtual inauguration graced by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, the APPCU has since become a platform for recognizing meaningful people-to-people engagement.
“We don’t want to award someone whose record might be viewed as contradictory to the spirit of bilateral friendship. Our counterpart organizations in China also expect due diligence,” Lambino said.
This year’s 12 laureates showcased a broad range of contributions including Hall of Famer former Senator Anna Dominique Marquez-Lim Coseteng, for her lifetime of service and advocacy in strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties.
Business leader Dominic Edgard Cabangon, chairman of ALC Group of Companies and Maynard Ngu, Special Envoy of the President to the People’s Republic of China for Trade, Investments and Tourism are recognized for Outstanding Contributions.
Acknowledged for Major Contributions are Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, for fostering city-level cooperation with China; Ng Siu Seng, President of Asahi Hi Quality Food Mfg. Inc.; Joaquin Sy, multi-awarded writer and translator in Filipino, English, and Chinese; and Teodorico Nebres Dofiles, executive assistant for International Affairs of the City Mayor of Digos City.
Recipients of Amity Award are English teacher Marianne Lourdes M. Leonor (Teacher Mary), who teaches in China; Police Staff Sergeant Nelson Garcia Santiago, who died in the line of duty during a rescue of Chinese nationals; Police Chief Master Sergeant Eden Batangoy Accad, who was injured in a similar operation; Shirley C. Agrupis, CHED Commissioner and former president of Mariano Marcos State University; and Justine Clarence Lao Tembresa, a TikTok content creator promoting the Minnan dialect.
Lambino said the awardees will receive trophies, certificates and a modest monetary prize, fully funded by the organizers.
“This is a gesture of gratitude. It’s not meant to obligate them to continue their work, but to recognize what they have already done. Their impact speaks for itself,” he said.
