BEIJING, China—The Philippine embassy here treated the minority Filipino community in China to an evening of music, food, and nostalgia to celebrate the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence.
With the theme “Kalayaan 2025: Diwa sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan,” the Philippine embassy offered its guests a vintage-themed evening reception not only to remember the past, but also to inspire the Filipino community from the lessons from the nation’s heroes.
“I, along with the entire staff of the embassy, am glad to have you join us in celebrating the 127 th year of Phlippine Independence,” Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz said in Filipino.
“It has been over a century since we gained our independence from more than 300 years of colonial rule under Spain. Our forebears fought hard for our freedom, gave up their lives in the name of nationhood and sovereignty,” he said.
From the balcony of the Ambassador’s residence, Embassy officials read messages from President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, and other Philippine officials to the members of the Filipino community.
Community members from Beijing, Shanghai, Gansu, and Changchun attended the gathering at the Embassy grounds. They were welcomed at the Embassy with Santacruzan-style arches.
Business leaders from the Philippines – such as special envoy Maynard Ngu, Salvador Zamora, and Carlos Chan flew to Beijing on the invitation of Ambassador FlorCruz to grace the event.
“This evening showcases our rich culture, not only through the grandiose decorations of the whole embassy, but also through the food and the music which are our all-time favorites that other nations admire, FlorCruz added.
Among the dishes were cuisines served during the Malolos Congress Crevettes Roses (nilasing na hipon style), Abatis de Poulet a la Tagalo (adobong balunbalunan at manok), and Jambon en Asperges (hamon Bulakenya-style with asparagus.)
The Loboc Children’s Choir also performed at the affair with a repertoire that included Ang Aking Bayan, Larong Pinoy, folk song Manang Biday, and a medley of original Pilipino Music.
It was an evening to recognize the Filipino community and their role in sustaining the long-standing ties between the Philippines and China. The Embassy is also commemorating the 50th anniversary of Philippine-China Diplomatic Relations this year, with people-to-people exchanges as the inspiration for its activities.
“Tonight’s affair is focused on people-to-people exchanges in marking the 50 th anniversary of Philippines-China diplomatic relations. This means you, our countrymen, are at the center of a long time collaboration between the two countries, the envoy said.
Some of the Filipinos featured in the online series #MadeItInChina – and in the book of the same title the Ambassador launched the night before – attended the gathering and were recognized by the embassy.
“Their stories – their dreams, struggles, and successes – represent the best of the Philippines and the good in the Filipino. They are ordinary Filipinos doing extraordinary deeds. They are the Filipinos who made it in China,” FlorCruz said.
The gathering also featured an exhibit of the 50+ Filipinos featured in the #MadeItInChina
