The Chinese in our hearts

In case you're not aware, all those fireworks, lion/dragon dances and feasting in our country for the Lunar New Year are in celebration of an Intangible Cultural Heritage as declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

- ANA MARIE PAMINTUAN

Specifically, the "social practices of Chinese people celebrating the traditional New Year – Spring Festival" was inscribed by UNESCO in its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage on Dec. 4 last year.

I learned about the latest inclusion of a Chinese element in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list (bringing the total to 44 for China, the most in the world) when I attended the Lunar New Year celebration at the Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig last Jan. 19 co-hosted by the Chinese embassy together with the top Filipino-Chinese business federations.

Each guest was welcomed with warmth, literally, through a red woolen shawl given away as a gift.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian reminded guests that 2025 marks 50 years of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the People's Republic of China. The ambassador, who lacks the personal warmth of some of his predecessors, nevertheless highlighted the traditional friendship and cultural ties and hoped for mutual prosperity for the 1.5 billion combined populations of the two countries.

The Filipino-Chinese business federations also presented videos showing cooperation with China in poverty alleviation and in projects such as the construction of classrooms and school buildings.

Tsinoy singer-songwriter (and sugar baron) Jose Mari Chan of "Christmas In Our Hearts" renown said in a video message: "Kami din ay Pinoy sa puso at gawa."

For all the goodwill, let's face it, these days it takes some effort to dwell on the positive aspects of Philippine ties with China.