THE Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) recently celebrated its 46th anniversary with a star-studded list of guests, which included government leaders past and present, as well as cabinet members.
FFCCCII president Henry Lim Bon Liong shared that as early as the 9th Century, Chinese traders from the Song dynasty came in large groups across Southeast Asia, following the seasonal wind patterns all the way to the Philippines and Thailand, and traded their motherland’s unparalleled products at that time: porcelain, silk, tea, foodstuff and spices.
The FFCCCII official explained that “Spanish conquistador El Adelantado Miguel Lopez de Legazpi was not the first foreigner to set foot in Manila,” because when he dropped anchor in Manila Bay, he already encountered Chinese traders.
He said Spain’s actual purpose in coming over to these islands was to Christianize the world, and in the process, “we had our first saint: a Filipino-Chinese named Lorenzo Ruiz,” and added that his kinfolk were active even during the Philippine-Spanish wars, as pure and half-Chinese joined the guerilla movement in fighting the invading Japanese.
The FFCCCII president said that since its inception, the FFCCCII had built schools, hospitals and provided seeds for hybrid rice in the Philippines. The latter gave employment to millions of farmers in rural areas and contributed to the country’s economic growth.
‘Common values’
FFCCCII Secretary General Dr. Fernando Gan said the Filipino-Chinese have lived in harmony through centuries, and have always cooperated to pursue common goals and development.
“[We] share common values of hard work, festivals and food… We have the same aspirations to seek prosperity, harmony and stability for our country,” he said.
“Let us continue to build bridges, [foster understanding, and] pursue meaningful programs to promote growth,” he urged, then revealed the federation had helped procure the 500,000 doses of Sinovac vaccines that arrived on June 10.
For his part, the Embassy of China’s Charge d’affaires Tan Qing Sheng hoped that the federation would continue to be a moving force in the private sector, boosting tourism and investments, “and also [spreading friendship, understanding and] our good partnership that have bound our peoples together.”
Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro L. Locsin Jr. commented: “We represent the best of both worlds: the intrepid and pioneering spirit that sought opportunities in distant shores, [with a will that perseveres in adversity. Rarely in our ties] can you find one so effortless to keep, as that between Filipinos and Chinese.”
He added that the abiding trust and goodwill of the two countries nurtured through the years will bear much fruit in the years ahead.
“As in the old days, when we broke through barriers, one after another, in language, culture and beliefs, I have faith that we will once again overcome our differences, that faith has a deep foundation down to the bone, of shared blood and life stories,” Locsin added, then hinted of the tension between Manila and Beijing over unresolved issues in the disputed waters.
However, as in previous statements, Manila’s highest envoy said the issue in the common waterway “is not the sum total of Philippine-Chinese relations.”
‘Shared vision’
SENATOR Sherwin T. Gatchalian, himself a Filipino-Chinese, said there were more than 2 million ethnic Chinese in the Philippines in 2020 who share similar experiences.
So far, he said, there are 170 trade associations all over the Philippines, with representation in every chapter. “The members donate time and effort to push forward a shared vision of a prosperous and vibrant Philippines.”
He intimated the Filipino-Chinese in Binondo have provided financial and various forms of aid during the Marawi City siege.
“In 2019 the FFCCCII offered a helping hand to the Filipino fishermen F/B Gem-Ver that was rammed by a Chinese fishing vessel in [Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea],” Gatchalian said.
“The FFCCCII donated P1.2 million for the complete rehabilitation of their damaged fishing boat, and additional P250,000 as livelihood assistance for the 22 fishermen [during a hand-over ceremony in 2019],” Lim Bon Liong added.
On top of the financial grant, the association also pledged to donate five public school buildings to the municipality of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro—hometown of the fisherfolk. The FFCCCII president explained that their assistance and support had “no strings attached,” and would not in any way affect the fishermen’s statements on the incident, as a probe is underway.
Former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo opined that geography has designed the Philippines and China to be “backyard neighbors:” “China is involved not only in bilateral relations, but [with] the Asean as well.”
Arroyo added that China’s economy “remains the most dynamic among nations, and soon it may become the world’s largest economy.”
“GMA” furthered that infrastructure would be important for the Philippines in the coming years, “and there’s no country in the world that matters, seeing China’s recent track record and capability in this area.”
“Domestically, the Philippine has a vibrant Filipino-Chinese community, [as] business dealings with China are natural… The FFCCCII is a testament to this,” she concluded.