A Very Merry Philippine Week brings holiday cheers to Chongqing

Chongqing, 16 December 2023 – “A Very Merry Philippine Week” kicked off today with a festive opening ceremony at the Robinsons Galleria in Chongqing. Organized by the Philippine Consulate General in partnership with Robinsons Galleria in Chongqing, the event attracted throngs of mall goers who experienced – many for the first time – a quintessential Filipino Christmas fiesta.

In her welcome remarks, Consul General Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo described the yuletide season as “the most wonderful time of the year” for many Filipinos, largely driven by their inherent nature of sharing blessings, happiness, and talents. She thanked China for dressing up the globe every Christmas and cited the Philippines’ own role in brightening the season with its exports of Christmas lights and artisanal decor. “While yuletide connects the Philippines and China in a very merry way, our bilateral holiday trade is but a facet of broader Philippines-China economic relations,” she observed in relation to commercial and investment ties that bind the two countries. Applauding Chongqing’s aspirations to build an international city, Consul General Mayo said that the Philippines was all too happy to contribute to the effort with rich flavors of Philippine delicacies, the vibrant sounds of Filipino musicians and the colorful sights of Philippine-style Christmas.

For his part, Mr. Kenneth Chan, Country Manager of Robinsons China, proudly announced that “A Very Merry Philippine Week” was the first event held at the mall in honor of the Filipino community and culture. “We felt committed to actively encourage and showcase the fundamental values that hold true to our Philippine roots, the products and services that are truly world class and I commend you all for putting this endeavor into reality,” remarked Mr. Chan. He thanked the Philippine Consul General for supporting Robinsons Galleria’s formal opening today by bringing in a live band, a sumptuous buffet of Filipino Christmas treats, a bazaar consisting of 30 booths selling Philippine goods.

To officially open A Very Merry Philippine Week, the Philippine Consulate General and Robinsons Galleria staged a lighting ceremony of Philippine Christmas lanterns which Consul General Mayo hoped would point the way to Chinese visitors’ loving the Philippines’ 7,641 sunny islands in the coming Chinese New Year. In a hearty response to renowned Filipino hospitality, guests and mall patrons helped themselves to generous servings of professionally prepared ensaymada, bibingka, puto maya, puto bumbong, saging na turon, adobo pan de sal, Century Tuna, Pinoy fruit salad, buko pandan and tsokolate de batirol.

Live music performed by PH Phenomenal, a group of four Chongqing-based Filipino singers, filled the mall with entertaining Filipino, Chinese and Christmas tunes that added gaiety to the three-hour affair. Door prizes from Robinsons, Panhua, and Eva Air were also given away to the delight of the audience.

Alongside the festivities, the Philippine Bazaar opened at the second floor of Robinsons Galleria and will run from 16 to 20 December 2023. The tiangge offers a wide array of Filipino products: handwoven garments and accessories from Hibla Philippines; wellness products from Bebebalm; Maylong Enterprises Corporation’s fresh and frozen durian, Dole Philippines’ fresh pineapple, banana, and papaya; SW fresh and canned pineapple; Century Pacific’s coconut water; Oishi snacks; and other Philippine food products such as beer, coffee, condiments, instant noodles and biscuits.

The 30-booth bazaar was made possible with the services of Chongqing Expat Guide. Some stalls were devoted to Philippine tourism as promoted by Air Asia and ADJ Happy Travel, which are giving away round-trip tickets to Manila and a five-star hotel stay in Cebu, Philippines, respectively, to the patrons of the Philippine Bazaar in a lucky draw set for 21 December 2023.

Together with PTIC-Shanghai, the Philippine Department of Tourism-Shanghai and the Office of the Agriculture Counsellor at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing also extended their support to the project.

The event was attended by the members of the business community, the consular corps and Filipino community in Chongqing. Commercial Consul Glenn Peñaranda of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) also graced the occasion.

“We are glad to showcase Filipino hospitality to potential Chinese travelers and a sampling of Philippine products to Chinese consumers throughout A Very Merry Philippine Week. With broader support from our partner agencies and friends in Chongqing, the Philippine Consulate General will continue to undertake similar initiatives to sustain Philippines-China people-to-people and business-to-business ties in the coming new year,” Consul General Mayo told the event partners and guests. END