Zhang Yingfei (Linda Walker) Meet and Greet at SM North Edsa Annex

 

Yesterday, June 10, I had the opportunity to attend the fan meet-and-greet of Chinese actress . She is best known for her role in the popular Chinese short drama, "The Heiress Won With Brains" . She is currently in the Philippines to promote the importance of education and inspire students to pursue academic excellence. I left early from work just to attend this event.

I arrived at the venue at the SM North EDSA Annex Building at around 2:15 p.m., and there was already a large crowd. Most of the seats were occupied, and the line was quite long. Fortunately, I was able to find a seat at the back. I also brought a chicken burger sandwich with me in case I became hungry while waiting.

I had the opportunity to take a photo with Ms. Candice Tan, the host and interpreter for Zhang Yingfei. I also received a small souvenir fan card featuring the actress.

Security at the event was very strict, so I was unable to get close to Zhang Yingfei. In addition, due to the large number of attendees, I preferred to remain seated and observe the event from a comfortable distance. 

The event was made possible through the efforts of the FFCCCI and China Embassy Manila, whose support helped bring this meaningful educational program to Filipino students and fans.

Meeting Prominent Chinese-Filipino (part 2)

 I have long been an admirer and supporter of Bahay Tsinoy. This Chinese-Filipino museum is very close to my heart because it tells the story of the ties and shared history between China and the Philippines.

It was there that I first met its former president, . He is an award-winning Chinoy writer, former Secretary-General of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, former President of Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran, and a recipient of an award from the in 2025.

I have read his translation of Lagalag sa Nanyang, and he once gave me a Chinese phrasebook containing 300 useful phrases. When my husband and I moved to Bulacan, we donated most of my collection of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese books to our barangay library, as my husband wanted to declutter our home.

Fortunately, I still have a few books that I purchased from Bahay Tsinoy. I was also able to meet Mr. Sy again at the inauguration of the Confucius Institute about a decade ago.

He is one of the most prominent Chinese-Filipinos I have encountered throughout my journey of learning about Chinese culture and Philippine-Chinese relations. I remain grateful for the role he played in my learning journey and for his contributions to the Chinese-Filipino community.

Meeting Prominent Chinese-Filipinos

 

I am truly happy to have met these Chinese-Filipino personalities who excel in their respective fields and crafts.

One of the reasons why I am deeply fascinated by Chinese culture and everything related to it is because of the remarkable excellence and contributions of the Chinese people in so many fields that I cannot even enumerate them all here. I admire their resilience, discipline and strong family values. 

Many of the most successful businesses in the Philippines were founded or are managed by Chinese-Filipinos. There is also a common belief that Chinese people are naturally good in Mathematics, perhaps because they're known for being good in running businesses. Don't forget the abacus came from them. ✍️
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1. Wilson Lee Flores is a respected Filipino-Chinese entrepreneur, writer, and cultural advocate. Through his businesses, writings, and cultural activities, he actively promotes appreciation for Filipino-Chinese history, identity, and traditions.

2. Jose Mari Chan is one of the most beloved Filipino musicians and composers whose music has become part of Filipino culture and family traditions. Beyond music, he is also admired as a successful businessman and proud Chinese-Filipino who represents excellence and humility.

3. Teresita Ang See is a prominent Chinese-Filipino civic leader, educator, and author who dedicated much of her life to promoting Filipino-Chinese heritage, cultural understanding, and anti-discrimination advocacy. Through organizations such as KAISA and the Bahay Tsinoy Museum, she helped preserve and educate future generations about the rich history and contributions of the Chinese in the Philippines. (source: Google)

Seefulun (Sifulun-Sephora) Bags

          I've heard of luxury Chinese brands like Songmont, but I can't justify spending that much. As a working mom with a young child, I try to spend my money wisely.

About two or three months ago, I bought a bag from Bagsmart, a brand designed in the U.S. and manufactured in China. Nowadays, there are many well-made and affordable Chinese brands available, such as Bostanten. This time, I decided to try another brand that isn't as well known but has an official store on Lazada.

My husband keeps asking why I bought another bag, but this one is genuinely well made. It is crafted from first-layer cowhide leather and is very practical for everyday use. I purchased both a handbag and an RFID wallet, which helps protect IDs and cards from unauthorized scanning.

The brown bag is surprisingly spacious. It can fit a bottle of body spray, several wallets, IDs, and other daily essentials. It also has multiple zippered compartments inside for better organization. The wallet is equally roomy, featuring a zippered section for coins or bills, along with numerous card and ID slots.

Who says you can't find a good-quality bag at an affordable price? You might want to check out Seefulun (which Google Translate amusingly renders as "Sephora"). So far, I'm quite happy with my purchase.

Back at Confucius Institute

I really was not planning to enroll again and study at the Confucius Institute. I only sent an email to the director of the Confucius Institute, Dr. Shi, to tell her about my long-time love for Chinese culture almost half of my life already. I was not aware that she was the former director of the Confucius Institute at U.P. Diliman. So she suggested that I get in touch with Dr. Zhi, who is the new director.

When I was still single, I was able to take face-to-face Chinese classes at the Confucius Institute in Ateneo. But now that I am married and have a child, I am glad that U.P. Diliman offers online classes. I am now enrolled in the beginner online class, HSK 1, under Mr. Wu. I have known about the Confucius Institute in U.P. before because I was invited to their inauguration. 

 My husband is somewhat disappointed again because he is not in favor of me returning to my so-called “hobby” or interest, which is Chinese culture and language. Because of his encouragement before, I gave away my collection of Chinese books to our barangay because he told me my books were just clutter. Anyway, I was able to meet the kind director, Dr. Zhi, and she gave me a brochure from Xiamen University, where she works. We also chatted about my long-time interest in China. She said she would be glad to help me and support my learning. I even opened up to her about a deep wound from my past regarding my interest in Chinese culture and language. She told me to believe in myself and not care too much about what others say. So I say 加油！

The Heir (Chinese Drama)

           This month, I discovered an intriguing Chinese drama titled The Heir. It is about the Li family and other families whose businesses revolve around ink making, competing for the prestigious title of producing the finest ink and for the honor of presenting an ink tribute to the emperor.

Ink is very important in Chinese culture because it is used in Chinese calligraphy. Chinese characters are beautiful to look at, yet difficult to comprehend for a non-native Chinese learner like me.

What I like about this drama is how it highlights family ties, strong relationships, and filial piety. This is definitely another C-drama worth watching.

Reset (Chinese Movie)

 I was not able to post about this Chinese movie, Reset (2022) starring, Zhao Jinmai and Bai JingTing. It tells the story of a college student trapped in a time loop where she keeps waking up inside a bus as time repeatedly resets. I will not go into details so I will not spoil the movie. 

The storyline is very good, and I did not find the movie boring from the start. Kudos to the director, scriptwriter, and everyone involved in making this movie. This deserves to be known worldwide. If you have not seen it yet, I highly recommend it, especially if you like the suspense, mystery, and thriller genre.