Children in China learn about PHL in 'Ni Hao' activity

Children in China learned facts about the Philippines because of a "Ni Hao" (Hello) activity hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the activity was held in Shenyang in Liaoning province on May 26 and 27. Liaoning Province in Northeast China is host to hundreds of Filipino teachers, musicians and information technology specialists, the DFA said. "Entitled 'Ni Hao, Philippines: Everything a Chinese Kid Should Know about the Philippines,' the event was attended by more than 400 students of Shenyang's No.2 Hunnanxinqu Elementary School and No.1 Chaoyang Primary School," the DFA said in a news release posted on its website. The activity was meant to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China. The DFA said the activity aimed to teach children about the Philippines and the things that they have in common with Filipino children. Embassy Chargé d' Affaires (CDA) Alex Chua said the event was part of the Embassy's series of people-to-people activities "to create awareness of and appreciation for the Philippines among the Chinese public, including children." "Our Embassy team was warmly welcomed by the people of Shenyang, especially the students and teachers of the two schools. Shenyang is very far from the Philippines. But this should not prevent us from cultivating friendly ties between the peoples of the Philippines and Shenyang," Chua added. The event, which was held in both schools, featured a video presentation on the Philippines and an enactment of Philippine folk tales, "Origin of the Stars" and "How the Firefly, Bat, Mosquito, Field Lizard and Light Bug Acquired Their Characteristics." The other activities included the teaching of basic Filipino words and customs and traditions of the Philippines. The Chinese children were taught to sing and dance the popular Filipino folk song "Kamusta, Kamusta, Kamusta," and playing a favorite Filipino game, "Pahabaan ng Linya." Another highlight of the event was the mail exchange between 35 students of Hunnanxinqu Elementary School and 35 students from Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School in Quezon City. Quezon City and Shenyang are sister-cities. The Embassy team, led by Consul Myca Magnolia Fischer and Mrs. Marla Chua, donated more than 300 copies of the book "A Selection of Folk Tales from the Philippines for the Young Chinese Reader," and other children books to the two schools. The book on Filipino folktales was launched during the visit of former President Gloria Arroyo to Shanghai on June 9, 2010 as a gift of the Filipino children to the Chinese children. - VVP, GMA News