In the true spirit of giving, a Tsinoy association simplified its anniversary party and used the funds instead to help those in need.
The Philippine Lioc Kui Fraternity (菲律濱六桂堂宗親總會) chose a simple 90th anniversary celebration and donated the savings to China and the Philippines to help deal with calamities the two countries face. Officers added to the amount for a total donation of P1.5 million, 50 percent for the Philippines outreach projects and 50 percent for China’s fight against COVID-19, both coursed through Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran (菲律濱華裔青年聯合會).
Kaisa’s Taal relief operations have been going on since Jan. 15. The COVID-19 fund has been remitted to China’s Amity Foundation based in Nanjing, Kaisa’s long-time partner in outreach activities since 2009.
On Feb. 12, a delegation led by Sandy Ang (洪肇等), president of PLKF, and Teresita Ang See, founding president of Kaisa, went to the Chinese Embassy in Makati and symbolically presented the donation to the Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian (黃溪連大使). It is hoped this gesture will encourage other Tsinoy organizations to cut back on their own ceremonial activities and donate the money for meaningful endeavors.
During a brief exchange, Ambassador Huang complimented the gesture of PLKF and encouraged everyone to advocate more philanthropy work and contribute to Philippine society and avoid unnecessary expenses just to show off. He hoped to see more cooperation between the Filipino and Chinese peoples.
The ambassador also thanked overseas Chinese and Tsinoys for their concern and donation to the fight against the epidemic. Huang also mentioned that he was impressed by his recent visit on Jan. 20 to Bahay Tsinoy Museum. He instructed all new members of the embassy to visit the museum in the future to learn more about the history of Chinese in Philippine life.
Present during the visit were consuls Luo Gang and Dong Hongya, officers of PLKF and Kaisa president Michael Guzman and past presidents.