11 May 2018 - On 11 May 2018, the Philippine Embassy in Beijing welcomed a delegation from the "Chinese Young Cultural Ambassadors", under its program "Ni Hao, Philippines". The delegation was composed of principals, directors, representatives and students ages 7 to 15 years old from Tianjin Society of Education, Huaxia Future Primary School of Tianjin Eco-City, Tianjin Yangcun 16th Primary School, Youaidao Primary, Jinghai Model School, Puyu Primary School of Tianjin, Hongxing Road Primary School of Tianjin, and Minzu University of China.

Ambassador Sta. Romana with students holding masks that they designed

The visit of the "Chinese Young Cultural Ambassadors" was organized by the National China Young Cultural Ambassadors Committee. The Committee, sponsored by the Chinese Society of Education, brings together students from various primary and secondary schools to visit Embassies, companies, museums and educational institutions to enable Chinese students to learn about foreign cultures as well as perform or demonstrate their talents.

Ambassador Sta. Romana with the school directors and principals

During their visit, the students were introduced to basic facts about the Philippines and fiestas and festivals. The students were introduced to the Masskara Festival of Bacolod and given an opportunity to view the Masskara masks brought by the Embassy in 2014 from Bacolod. The students were given an opportunity to design their masks using plain mask templates, coloring and craft materials.

The student making their own masskara mask

While students were busy making their masks, Ambassador Jose Santiago L. Sta. Romana met with the school directors and principals in a separate room. He noted that the Philippines and China have been engaging with one another through trade and other exchanges hundreds of years before the official establishment of the diplomatic relations, and narrated the journey in 1417 of Sulu Sultan Paduka Batara to establish ties with Ming Emperor Yongle. The directors and principals, in turn, shared the international exchanges that their respective schools are pursuing.

Handmade gifts presented to the Ambassador by the students

The students, in turn, showcased aspects of Chinese culture, through performances such as Chinese folk dancing, singing, Peking Opera, calligraphy, and skill in speech delivery. The students performance was followed by presentation of gifts prepared and handmade by the students. END.

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