Quezonins are naturally happy people, and the Catholic religion provided them with a surfeit of fiestas and celebrations that made Quezon province an important destination for tourists and pilgrims.
We can cite the Pahiyas in Lucban, the Bulihan festival in Sampaloc, the Pasayahan and Niyogyugan in Lucena and Mayohan in Tayabas. This summer, people will still flock to these festivals despite the high prices of petroleum products like gasoline and diesel.
Similarly, the Chinese have their own native festivals, along with cultural shows that depict moments in their history. One such performance was held recently before a big crowd of Filipino-Chinese and Filipinos at the Aliw Theater in Pasay. It was called “Cultural Shaanxi — Charm of the Silk Road Legacy” by the Chinese Cultural Courier @ the Philippines.
Local groups friendly to China have provided audiences in Manila the opportunity to savor an exhilarating theatre experience.
Through the collaboration of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Associations in the Philippines Foundation (FFCAPF), the performers from Shaanxi Song and Dance Theater brought the culture of the origin of the Silk Road and the energy of the Yellow River to life on the stage in Manila.
In his opening remarks, China Ambassador Jing Quan said the “stable China-Philippines relations rely on the joint efforts of many. Cultural exchange works subtly but powerfully. Let this event be a new start: everyone can contribute, with funds or effort, to boost travel and cultural exchange, improve public sentiment, and stabilize bilateral ties. Together, we can strengthen China-Philippines friendship.”
Shaanxi Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism Deputy Director Du Jingen and FFCAPF Chairman Tiu Keeping also delivered messages.
“In recent years, Shaanxi and the Philippines have forged increasingly vibrant cultural ties. Taking this opportunity, we aim to deepen grassroots friendship through joint initiatives in cultural exchanges, intangible cultural heritage exhibitions and performances, museum exchanges and artistic performances We aim to enhance people-to-people bonds and ensure that the enduring friendship between China and the Philippines continues to thrive through shared understanding and heartfelt connections,” Du said.
Keeping noted that Shaanxi’s ancient capital Xi’an is the starting point of the ancient Silk Road, possessing a profound historical and cultural heritage with its dances, folk songs, instrumental music and traditional opera, among others.
We commend the Chinese Cultural Courier @ the Philippines because since its inception, the group has been committed to building a platform for cultural exchange, enabling the peoples of the Philippines and China to enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendship through cultural interaction.
“Cultural exchange is an important bridge connecting people’s hearts, and art is a universal language that transcends borders and languages. Let us further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples through music and art exchanges, and jointly promote the continuous development of the friendly relations between the Philippines and China,” Keeping concluded.
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