Laoag hosts Sino-Filipino cultural exchange

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

Laoag City—A 35-member cultural troupe from China's Guangdong province staged an artistic performance at the Ilocos Norte centennial arena on Oct. 4 as part of the extended Filipino-Chinese friendship day celebration.

Invited by the Chinese Consulate in Laoag in cooperation with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, about 3,000 people mostly composed of students and members of the Filipino-Chinese community in Laoag and Manila were treated to a night filled with soulful music, acrobatics, and cultural dances both participated in by the cultural troupe from Guangdong and local talents from Ilocos Norte.

In her speech, Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos said she is grateful that the cultural troupe visited Ilocos Norte.

“What a joy to have you. It is indeed an occasion to celebrate. It is said that Chinese heritage here in the north is part of Filipino heritage and truly, it is also no secret that the contribution of the Chinese community is enormous, widespread and very deep. It is also considered that many of us had great Chinese ancestry,” Ms. Marcos said.

“To my mind, no matter what politics, no matter what propaganda and the extraordinary media that has surrounded so many of these political issues, at the end of the day, we must all and celebrate what China has made to the Philippines throughout the centuries,” she added citing “never has China come as aversive power, it has instead in friendly, commercial partner throughout the ages.”

Attended by the Chinese consul of Laoag and guests from the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Peoples Republic of China hopes that through cultural exchanges, this will deepen friendly relations between both countries.

Aside from Laoag City, the cultural troupe from Guangdong also performed in Cebu and Manila aimed at promoting friendship and cultural exchange between China and the Philippines.