Through traditional Filipino games, 30 Chinese students experienced Filipino culture at the Jingshi Aoyuan Nanao Experimental School in Guangzhou in Guangdong, China through an initiative of the Philippine Consulate General.
“Building Bridges” is a special program in line with the celebration of the Buwan ng Wika this August and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Manila and Beijing.
According to China Radio International Filipino Service, the students played Filipino outdoor games such as patintero, luksong tinik, and sipa during the event.
They also saw colorful kites with riddles written in different languages in the Philippines that include Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, Waray, Pangasinense, Aklanon, and Chavacano, each with an English translation.
In solving the riddles, the students saw some similarities to China’s ??( mí y?), which are riddles in Chinese culture.
The students were also served a merienda or snack of ensaymada and ube pastries paired with calamansi juice.
Under the theme “Paglinang sa Filipino at Katutubong Wika: Makasaysayan sa Pagkakaisa ng Bansa,” Philippine Consul General to Guangzhou Iric Arribas said the language’s role is not only for communication but also to connect people and culture.
According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the diplomatic relation between the Philippines and China was established on June 9, 1975. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
