Ambassador Erlinda F. Basilio led the Philippine Embassy as it joined more than 90 embassies, representative offices of international organizations and local companies in China in the  annual "Love Knows No Borders" International Charity Sale held in Beijing’s Chaoyang Park on Saturday, 02 November 2013. This year’s charity bazaar was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China under the chairmanship of Mme. Qian Wei, wife of Foreign Minister Wang Yi, together with the Beijing Municipal Commission and the Beijing Foreign Affairs Office.

Ambassador Basilio greets Mme. Qian Wei (2nd from left), wife of  Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as Mme. Qian Wei marvels at the wide array of Philippine products on display at the Philippine booth.

The Embassy turned over a total of RMB 10,000 (US$1,641) to the organizers of this year’s charity bazaar, the proceeds of which were earmarked for the project, “Water - Source of Life,” which aims to provide safe and sustainable water supply for communities in China’s Yunnan province.

Chinese and foreigners alike flocked to the Pahiyas-decorated Philippine booth.

After the opening ceremony, Mme. Qian Wei visited the Philippine booth and expressed interest in the varied products featured in  the Pahiyas-decorated Philippine booth, such as dried yellow and green mangoes which as always were a huge hit among Chinese and foreigners alike, coco mango balls, mango and pineapple jams, canned mango and pineapple juice, crab paste (taba ng talangka),  San Miguel beer,exquisite Philippine handicrafts such as evening bags, abaca coin purses, luncheon sets made of abaca and capiz, wooden salad server sets, and many other finely crafted Philippine products.

A best-seller was the Philippine hot chocolate prepared by the Embassy, which drew crowds and many admiring comments on the superior quality and delightful taste of Philippine cocoa.

Philippine chocolate proved to be a crowd-drawer, especially on the chilly Saturday of the bazaar.

“It is heartwarming and gratifying to introduce first-rate Philippine products to our Chinese friends and foreigners in Beijing alike, while at the same time joining the laudable cause of improving the lives of disadvantaged communities,” Ambassador Basilio said.