Filipino-Chinese businessmen in Cebu with Consul General Shi Yong—(from left) Guo Aping, Tertullano Tolentino, Consul General Shi Yong, Anton Ho, Tony Tanzensiok, (unidentified), Antonio Chua Hansing, and Atty. Augusto Go
I MISS China.
I lived in Shanghai in 2010 as a single lady learning Chinese language and culture, and then lived in Guangzhou between 2012 and 2015 on part-time and full-time arrangements as a married woman with children.
The language is music to my ears although it is the most difficult language I learned in my life—and one that had me spend a year (thank goodness for the Gokongwei scholarship) to learn it.
China holds a unique place in my heart. It was in Shanghai that I learned to live a life away from family. I ventured into cities such as Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Fuzhou (and the long list continues) and gathered experiences which I never thought possible. In Guangzhou, I raised a family with twin children and navigated its busy streets with taxi drivers who forced me to master yòubian (right side), zuobian (left side) and yi zhí zou (go straight ahead).
Since my relationship with my husband Jeff started in 2012, I have been a regular of the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu to apply for visas to enter the Middle Kingdom.
Less than two years ago, when we decided to leave the US and live in Cebu for an indefinite period, I had the rare chance to meet and interview Consul General Shi Yong, who struck me as approachable, intelligent and honest.
He reminded me of the Chinese people I met in my studies, in my travels, and in my home in China. He answered my questions about politics and economics with openness and warmth. But he was in his happiest disposition when we talked about tourism, diving and photography.
On Sept. 18, on the occasion of the 69th Founding Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China, Consul Shi Yong announced that the celebration is his last time to host a reception in Cebu.
“I feel so lucky that my two years in Cebu has seen a successful turnaround and steady growth of
relations between China and the Philippines,” he spoke to guests at the Grand Ballroom of the
Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.
Diplomats, government officials and business leaders attended the National Day celebration complete with dragon dance, sumptuous dinner of the most awaited Chinese dishes and desserts, and the performances of students from Chinese schools.
I always pause for the tea and the house music.
It takes me back to the open spaces by the skyscrapers and giant malls where ladies gather in the afternoons for dancing and fellowship.
I look forward to two things when I receive invitations from the Chinese Consulate: the speech of the Consul General and his table-to-table stopovers to interact with guests.
Consul General Shi Yong was a breath of fresh air after a long time when it was quite impossible
to ask any questions and receive replies from a Chinese diplomat. He made a milestone in turning around the Philippine-China relations with his charisma, ability to speak fluent and clear English and passion for friendship and goodwill.
During his term, the Chinese Consulate in Cebu major community projects in 2018 include
an ambulance donation in Oslob, and sports equipment for the Negros Occidental Drug
Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc.
Three more projects had ceremonial turnovers on Sept. 18: physical and occupational therapy equipment for Persons With Disability (PWD).
Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Center owned by the Province of Cebu; 10 desktop computers for
Cebu City Government’s Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP); and 110
hospital beds for Cebu City Medical Center.
“I feel very, very lucky to be able to contribute my own bit to our bilateral friendship and cooperation,” said the humble man, who had been assigned to key positions in his international postings in South Africa, New York and Israel.
He also served as Vice Mayor of Gaobeidian City, Hebei Province in 2003 to 2004.
“I am indeed very, very happy about every bit of progress that has been made in this important relationship,” he added.
In his speech, he also emphasized the increasing number of exchange visits and sisterhood ties between provinces and cities describing them as “warm bilateral relations” that translated into economic benefits for our peoples.
“I am so glad that the provinces of Cebu and Bohol plus the cities of Cebu, Mandue, Danao and Dumaguete and so many other provinces and cities this area are building sisterhood relations with their counterparts in China,” he said.
He reported on ending the year with 600,000 to 700,000 Chinese nationals visiting Central Visayas, which covers Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
When Consul Shi Yong stopped and joined the media table, I asked him about his plan after his
Cebu assignment.
Ever gracious and polite, he answered that he will go back to Beijing for the time being.
But he hopes to come back soon to fill his camera with more photographs of the beautiful oceans and its underwater creatures.
