Philippines-China

Friendship Club
(PCFC)

Newsletter



The Stars Align
There are three main types of Pinoy foreign students here in Beijing. The
first group of students is called the Language Pinoys who sojourn to
China for a six-to-twelve-month intensive Chinese Language program
every semester. The second ones are what we call Graduate Pinoys
who commit themselves to a graduate program for Masters or Ph.Ds.,
lasting at least two or more years. The last group is composed of students
who with their families had immigrated to China when they were young,
and have since assimilated with the local studentry. It is easy to spot them
because some of them speak better Chinese than Tagalog!
There is another group who we consider very much part of the Filipino
community of students and whom we amiably refer to us the TAGS
(short for Tagalog Specialists), Chinese students who are pursuing a
degree in Filipino studies in the famed Beijing University.
For the first time in record, these groups of students came to Beijing
without knowing each other, each according to his or her own motivations.
Yet the alignment of the stars would not be satisfied and forged friendships
among the students.
It is here that the idea of the Philippines-China Friendship Club (PCFC)
was formed.

Four Types of Filipino students in Beijing
by Renee Lo & Miguel Gaisano
INSIDE
1
ST
VIP TALK with CNN Jaime
FlorCruz and C2C Ramil
Cueto.
3
Pictures of Imelda and
Bongbong Marcos w Mao
4
PCFC raises over Php60,000
for Yolanda Victims
6
Your Special Gift from our
Sponsor
9
Volume 1 No. 1.
September 2013-February 2014
Get updates and news at
pcfc.weebly.com
Travel blogs, survival tips, & many more!
2
Philippine-China Friendship Club September 2013-February 2014

For subscription, comments or
questions regarding PCFC: please
email us at pcfc_beijing@live.com
Executive Committee
President
Austin Ong
VP Marketing
Mark Lim
VP External Relations
Charles Lim
VP Membership
Paige Yu
VP Operations
Renee Lo
Secretary
Jamie Lo
Treasurer
Hamilton Balonan
Project Heads
Lester Lee
Velessa Dulin
Boj Capati

Adviser
Dr. Wu Jiewei


Presidents Letter
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the first publication of the PCFC newsletter. The objective is to
be the platform where club events and other meaningful announcements of
the Pinoy community in China can be shared among family and friends.
Though we may have different reasons for coming to China, one thing links
us all together: China is our adopted home. Consequently for all the
tensions our two countries are currently embroiled in, it is indisputable that
China and her people continue to embrace the Filipino students in her
schools. For this very reason, our stay in China is our opportunity to show
that beyond the politics, people build friendships.
This is the objective of the club: to endeavor to be the model of friendship
through its participation or organization of meaningful events, programs, and
activities that Filipino and Chinese friendship can grow, work, and enjoy
together.
Inside these pages, we present our collective achievements since the
founding on September 2013 led by a group of friends (Filipinos and
Chinese) from several universities in Beijing.
As Dr. Jose Rizal once said, The youth is the hope of the nation. Moreover
the success of PCFC, from the VIP Talk (Page 3) to the Donation Drive
(Page 6), highlight that success is best had when shared. Every
accomplishment in these pages was made possible by the cooperation of
the youth, the alumni, the OFWs, and generous supporters (both friends and
strangers).
In addition to the groups of students (write-up on the front page), I want to
express the PCFCs debt of gratitude to Dr. Wu Jiewei, Director of the
Filipino Studies at PKU, who has been instrumental as the clubs first official
adviser. Moreover the clubs achievements were made possible by several
other informal advisers who prefer to stay behind the limelight. PCFC
stands on the shoulders of giants.
Please let us know whenever friendships can be established at
pcfc_beijing@live.com. Itd be much appreciated also if you can sign our
guestbook at pcfc.weebly.com so we can stay in touch!
For all the accolades due, the names below mine on the left-hand column
made them possible.

For friendship without borders,

Austin

People-to-people
engagement for a better
Philippine-China relationship.
Editorial Team:
Editor-in-chief: Renee Lo
Assisted by: Boj Capati, Mark Lim,
Hamilton Balonan, Chen Jingyan
Milky, Wang Yiwei Apple, Pu Fen
Joe, and Wesley Go
Artists: Jamie Lo and Vince Qian

All Rights Reserved. Please contact
us for reproduction.

3
Philippine-China Friendship Club September 2013-February 2014




Introduction to the VIPs
Mr. FlorCruz is CNNs Beijing
Bureau Chief and correspondent,
responsible for strategic planning
of the networks news coverage of
China. FlorCruz has studied,
worked and travelled in China for
more than 40 years, and reported
extensively on the country as a
journalist since 1980, when he
started his journalistic career in
China and worked as a reporter
for Newsweek Magazine. In 1982,
he joined TIME magazines
Beijing bureau, and served as
Beijing bureau chief from 1990 to
2000.
Mr. Cueto arrived in Shanghai in
February 2004 and for over nine
years had been engaged in almost
all facets of learning and
development. He and wife, Julia
Feng, co-founded Executive
Learning Center (ELC) in 2005 to
provide corporate training
solutions to multinational
companies in China. In 2013, an
Indian organizational developing
consulting company invested in
ELC to create a presence in China.
He is currently the Director and
Principal Consultant of C2C, Inc.
Event Beneficiary
THE PHILIPPINE SELF-
HELP FOUNDATION (PSHF)
opened its first office in 1987 on
Negros Island. To date, the
PSHF has assisted over 2,500
families and communities in five
provinces of the Philippines. With
over 30% of Filipinos living in
poverty, no welfare safety net and
a deteriorating environment, the
PSHF remains a lifeline of hope
for numerous poor families in the
communities it serves.
The first event of the PCFC was the VIP Talk, held on 8 November, at the
Beijing Language and Culture University Conference Center with the theme
of How do you market yourself as a Filipino in China.
Filipino students and young professionals had a great opportunity to network
with our distinguished speakers: CNNs Beijing Bureau Chief Mr. Jaime
Florcruz and C2C Director and Principal Consultant Mr. Ramil Cueto.
The event was also privileged to have two Generals from the Philippine
embassy, Col. Bonifacio B. Cebrian ,Jr. and General Herico Nestor. Also
present were our club adviser from the Peking University (PKU) Southeast
Asian Studies Professor Wu Jiewei, DFA officer Ms. Chloe Wong and CRI
representatives.
Mr. Cueto taught us how to present ourselves and to deal with the Chinese
people with detailed yet humorous guidelines. On the other hand, Mr.
FlorCruz shared with us the ups and downs of his abundant experiences
during the Cultural Revolution in China and his personal views on Chinas
politics and society. According to Miguel Gaisano, one of the participants,
After their talks, I realized that hard work and the willingness to
discover new things was an attitude I really need to
succeed in China.
Such eye-openers highlighted the timeliness of the VIP talk as more Pinoy
students explore opportunities in China.
The event also served as a fundraising activity for the victims of a strong
earthquake in Bohol in October. 2180 RMB was collected at the event and
was donated to the victims through the Philippine Self-Help Foundation, Inc.
The speakers participation was pro bono, as Mr. Cueto would share among
the officers, it was their way of Pinoys helping Pinoys. Velessa Dulin and
Boj Capati were the project leaders.
1
st
VIP TALK:
Jaime FlorCruz &
Ramil Cueto
by Mark Lim
(continued)
What makes a VIP?
Pinoys who have lived in China for five years or longer and have established
themselves in their respective fields. In case you or someone you know would like to
share their China-experiences, please contact us and we would be happy to organize a
VIP Talk for them. Pinoys helping pinoys.
4
Philippine-China Friendship Club September 2013-February 2014


2
About the speakers
Prof. Aileen San Pablo- Baviera, Ph.D.
is Professor of Asian Studies at the
Asian Center, University of the
Philippines, where she also served as
Dean from 2003- 2009. Her research
interests include Contemporary China,
ASEAN-China relations, regional
integration, and Asia Pacific security
with a focus on territorial and maritime
disputes. She is also editor-in-chief of
the journal Asian Politics & Policy
(Wiley- Blackwell).
She has lectured and/or held visiting
fellowships at various institutions in
Australia, China, Japan, India, Malaysia,
Singapore and Tai- wan.
Amb. Wilfrido V. Villacorta is
University Fellow and full Professor of
Political Science and International
Relations of De La Salle University-
Manila. He served as former deputy
secretary general of the ASEA and as
President of the Yuchengco Center for
East Asia, a research center based at De
La Salle University. Further, he was a
member of the 1986 Constitutional
Commission which framed the present
Philippine constitution; Dean of the
College of Liberal Arts of De La Salle
University from 1983-1986; and was its
Senior Vice-President from 1986-1992.
1
Philippine Foreign Relations and Worldview
On 28 October, Prof. Aileen San Pablo-Baviera, Dean of the Asian
Studies Department at the Asian Center, University of the Philippines;
and Dr. Wilfrido Villacorta, Former Ambassador, Permanent
Representative of the Philippines to the ASEAN and Professor Emeritus
at the De La Salle University gave a lecture at Peking University. The
event was hosted by the Department of Southeast Asian Cultural
Studies of the School of Foreign Languages at Peking University.
The topics covered Philippine Foreign Relations and Worldview and the
Philippines role in the ASEAN. The lecture highlighted the historical and
cultural influences that shape Philippine foreign policy. It also discussed
the development of Philippine relations with the United States, China
and the ASEAN.
Philippine foreign relations and foreign policy, like those of other
countries, is an outcome of historical, cultural, geographic, and
institutional influences translated into the worldview of its elite.
Understanding the Filipino worldview, however, is difficult because of
conflicting directions in which it developed in the past and which still
affect the countrys posture in the international as well as regional
community.
This presentation examined some of the key domestic factors
influencing Philippine foreign policy. It then explained why the Filipino
elite appear to have a conflicted worldview that can be traced to (1) a
South-North narrative of post-colonialism; (2) an East-West narrative of
cultural identity; and (3) a narrative of parochialism versus
internationalism. It also provided a historical glimpse at the development
of Philippine relations with the United States, China and ASEAN through
the decades.
Present in the lecture were officers of the Philippine-China Friendship
Club and students from Peking University who inter- acted with the two
speakers. Minister Evangeline Ong, Consul Rhenita Rodriguez, Vice
Consul Lily Ann Cheng and other officers of the Philippine Embassy
also observed the lecture.

Academic Forum:
Ambassador
Villacorta and
Professor Baviera
by Boj Capati
Pictures shared by Prof. Baviera
that showed the long-standing
friendship of the Philippines and
China.
5
Philippine-China Friendship Club September 2013-February 2014



@ Peking University
The 10th annual Peking University International Culture
Festival (ICF) was held on 19 October, with the theme of
Memories of a Decade: Your China and our World.
It brought together international and local students to celebrate the
multi-cultural environment and diversity on campus with an array of
programs, including a food and cultural booth exhibitions, stage
performance and a students-ambassador talk.

More than 70
countries exhibited
at the event, which attracted almost 3000 visitors.

The on-stage performance turned out to be another crowd-pleaser
and a showcase for the beauty of our country. A Filipino folk and
modern mixed-dance (Cariosa and Bulaklak with the GLEE theme
song) titled The Blooming of Friendship was presented by a
group of students composed of Koreans, Chinese and Filipinos.
The cooperation among these young dancers symbolized the
blooming of friendship between the Philippines and othercountries.


Special thanks to Ms. Rochelle Cayetano for the choreographing.
The event was privileged to have received the personal
commendation of the Honorable Amb. Erlinda Basilio represented by
Consul Rhen Rodriguez and Vice Consul Lily Ann Cheng who graced
the event. Renee and Jamie Lo were project heads.

PKU& THU
International
Cultural Festival:
Blossoming of
Friendship

by Chen Jingyan Milky and
Wang Yiwei Apple

In previous years, the organizing of the Philippine Booth in the festivals
required great effort from individuals that there were years when the
Philippines would miss out on the opportunity to join. This year, for the first
time, the Philippine Booths in PKU (Peking University) and THU (Tsinghua
University) were worked on collectively, under the leadership of the PCFC.

The Philippine booths were organized and designed by the Filipino student and
assisted by the Chinese volunteers. It displayed the best of our country (Manila,
Boracay, Bohol, Cebu etc.) and distributed delicious Filipino snacks as well. It
was a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of our country to the Chinese
and other nationalities. PCFC with the help of our sponsors hopes to
institutionalize this activity for years to come.
For more pictures & news, visit us at
pcfc.weebly.com
6
Philippine-China Friendship Club September 2013-February 2014



@Tsinghua University
The 5th International Culture Festival of Tsinghua University (THU) was
held on 17 November. Students from 29 countries set up country booths
which were decorated to reflect their countries culture. The PCFC and the
Filipino community cooked adobo, sinigang, and pastillas for local and
foreign participants to try out.
The International Culture
Festival was more than a
carnival, it was a great
opportunity for cultural ex-
change, broadening of
horizons and bridging
friendships among people of
different nationalities. Paigu
Yu and Pat Que were the
project heads.
SPONSORS
The success of PCFC organizing for
Festivals was made possible by the generous
contribution of our sponsors. The resources
given were so generous that the club was
able to allocate the surplus to the other
events presented in this publication.
PCFC would like to express its deepest
thanks for the sponsors below whose support
allow us to promote our mission of
Friendship (A dedication page of thanks is
on Page 12).
MAJOR SPONSORS
San Miguel Corporation
W.L. Foods
Oishi, Liwayway, Inc
FRIENDSHIP SPONSORS
The Philippine Embassy in Beijing
The Department of Tourism Office
Mr. Ramil Cueto and family
Atty. Dennis Manalastas and family
Mr. Mark Lim and family
Anonymous Family from Hong Kong
LAKERS PIZZA @ Wudaokou
Book Heaven Caf @ Wudaokou
If you or anyone you know would like to
sponsor a club event or objective, please
feel free to connect with us at
pcfc_beijing@live.com.
Many Chinese friends were surprised that many of their favorite products in China are actually
produced by Filipino Companies. Mr. Eric Qin of San Miguel shares fatherly advice to PCFC officers.
Our Sponsors



A Fresh View on
the home we
call Beijing
2
After, we walked through the campus at
dusk, taking pictures as we went through
the lake and the different gates of the
university. Afterward another friend from
Philippine China Radio, Ms. Jade Jie
Xian, met us and treated us to dinner. We
exchanged stories about our families and
she gifted each of us with a packed
Peking duck to bring home.
In the hotel, on the public bus, on the
street -- we met the different people of
Beijing! We truly had a wonderful &
memorable, though very brief stay in
Beijing. Someday we hope to have the
chance to return again to feel the warmth
and friendship of its people!
Thank you and hope to see you again
someday! -Tita Vina Relucio
Dr. Vina Relucio is a clinical psychologist
by profession but right now she is semi-
retired & enjoys traveling with her travel
partner, Mrs. Florina Finemanfriends
since their grade school days. Last
year they travelled together to Batanes
and to Beijing and next month, they plan
to visit the Holy Land. Most of all, Tita
Vina enjoys traveling to the US to visit
her grandchildren there (4 of them while
2 are in Manila) to spend time with them.
1
Tita Vinas Letter
My travel partner, Florina, & I were very
excited to visit Beijing for a few days in
the first week of December. Because it
was our first time to visit Beijing, we
asked the Confucius Institute of Ateneo
de Manila to refer us to some persons
whom we could meet so that we will not
feel like strangers there.
Jamie Lo very kindly met us before the
10am Mass. She stayed with us
throughout the Mass and took pictures
with us outside the church. She knew it
was our first time in Beijing so she very
thoughtfully brought us to a restaurant
which served one of the best Peking
ducks in the city. Needless to say, it was a
marvelous experience!
As we were taking pictures outside the
church, we were joined by a career
professional from a big multinational
firm. He willingly joined Jamie, Florina &
myself as we walked through the campus
of Beijing University on the way to the
restaurant. During the lunch, we
exchanged stories about our different
cultures and customs. It was truly a
learning experience.
1
It was not difficult to remember
the places we visited because
particular people of Beijing
privileged us to weave our own
story with each place.
The agency driver was Beijings hello to
us. He drove well, spoke English well and
was quite informed of economic changes, of
real estate situation, of how the city was built
in circles and of what buildings we were
passing by. He was pleasant, soft spoken and
helpful. Then there was our female guide
who added amusing stories of her childhood.
It is said that when stories of oneself is
shared with another, the relationship changes
from being mere strangers. Like the Chinese
people we encountered, she extended the
extra mile for us.
I have always heard that the Chinese are very
good business people. Well, they know what
a person needs and know how to present it.
After the climb of the Great Wall, wouldnt
anyone welcome a complimentary foot
massage? Was I dreaming or mistaken or did
the masseur really give me a 20 minute
massage for just the left foot and some more
minutes on my right? The 32 year old doctor
diagnosed my condition by reading my palm
2
besides looking at my eyes and my
complexion. You can guess what happened
next. To date, I am on the middle of the
second month of taking this herb and seeing
improvements. Even in my earlier years I had
much respect for Eastern medicine that finds
the source of the problem and not merely
eliminate the symptoms.
I was impressed with the efficiency, low cost
and cleanliness of their public transportation.
Perhaps this is why many prefer to take the
public transportation instead of filling the
streets with their cars. People make a city.
There was Sophia, a young Chinese teacher
of English, who did not suffice at giving us
directions, taking our photos but she also
generously offered her mobile number
because she was near enough to the Silk Shop
to come to our aid if need be. At one time in
the subway, the ticket machine took my fare
but refused (having a tantrum, perhaps) to
give me our tickets. While we were helpless
in the rushing crowd, a kind Chinese lady
helped us out of our predicament.
Only when we were looking for a cab did we
realize how far and remote our hotel was. We
had just hailed our 4th cab when the 3rd cab
honked its horn to get our attention. It turned
out that when his passenger told him where
3
she wanted to go, he mentioned that we were
going there. This kind Chinese lady who
worked in a hotel offered us a ride and
dropped us right by our hotel. It was late in
the evening then. It would not be fair to
ignore the fact that were it not for the cab
drivers effort, we may still have been
waiting by the road. He was such a help even
if he did not speak a word of English.
Even for such a big city, the people of
Beijing kept the helpfulness and the
discipline of a small city or town. Beijing
was an adventure to remember and an
impression that we take home and share.
Thank you!!!!!!! -Tita Florina Fineman
Mrs. Florina Fineman is a Psychology
graduate of the University of the
Philippines. She worked with Philippine
Air Lines (PAL) in the Philippines and in
Dubai. In New York she worked with YAI
(Young Adult Institute), a non-profit
organization for mentally disabled adults.
She is currently in Manila to manage a
family enterprise.




For travel blogs, fun tips, and must go
places:
Visit us at
pcfc.weebly.com

8
Philippine-China Friendship Club September 2013-February 2014





3
Haiyan (Yolanda). The Foundation
provides a boat to fishermen so they
can earn a living for their families
and support their childrens
education.
The event was indeed a perfect
example of what can result when
friendships come together.

A Chance to
Give Back
2
aiiiaci suppoiiive fiiends fiom all
baclgiounds.
Typloon Yolanda (ala Haiyan) made
landfall on ile piovince of Samai in
ile Plilippines and was iecoided as
ile siiongesi iyploon in iecoided
lisioiy. Ii made majoi damages in
ile Easiein Visayas Region of ile
Plilippines, and ile official deail ioll
las alieady ieacled moie ilan ,ooo.
Clailes Lim and Lesiei Lee weie ile
piojeci leads.


1
!n coopeiaiion wiil ile Tsinglua
Siudenis' Associaiion of Inieinaiional
Culiuial Exclange (AICE) and ile
giacious suppoii of ile Inieinaiional
Siudeni Office (ISO), PCFC
speaileaded a donaiion diive in
Tsinglua Univeisiiy on Novembei ::.
Also, ile siudenis associaiions of
Singapoie, Indonesia, and Tlailand in
Beijing leld donaiion evenis io
suppoii PCFC's donaiion diive. Tle
colleciive endeavoi collecied close io
6o,ooo pesos wlicl was donaied io
ile viciims of Typloon Yolanda
iliougl ile Plilippine Siai
DAMAYAN.
In line wiil ile club's plilosoply of
empoweimeni, ile donaiion diive
was diiecied foi ile iebuilding effoiis
of ile disasiei-siiiclen aieas.
Tle colleciive endeavoi liglliglied
ilai despiie being foieign siudenis in
Clina, wlicl demands one of ile
liglesi cosi of living foi iis iesidenis,
sinceiiiy and genuine inieniions
1
Portraits of Generosity
The Philippine Overseas
Photographers (POP) Beijing and the
PCFC joined hands in a fund raising
drive to help survivors of the super
typhoon Haiyan. POP Beijing, with
the assistance of PCFC members,
held a special one day photo event
Pinoys helping
Pinoys
By Velessa Dulin
2
for donors who with their donations
received portrait-shots from the
expert photographers of the POP in
return.
100% of the donations went to the
Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation to
support fishermen in Central Visayas
who lost their boats due to Typhoon
PCFC thanks all those who gave a
lending hand that allowed us to help
those in need in the Philippines.
-PCFC President, Austin Ong
9
Philippine-China Friendship Club September 2013-February 2014




CRI interviews
PCFC President
by Wesley Go

PCFC President, Austin Ong was invited for an interview at CRI (China
Radio International) Filipino on 20 January.
He shared his views on the future of Philippine China relationship where his
views were published in the Tulay Magazine
(http://www.kaisa.org.ph:16080/tulay/archive/2013/100813/100813-
V26N9.html#editorial). In it, he proposed that the Philippines should look at
China as a growing giant not in the image of Goliath who is out to bully
David, but rather a kind giant like Gulliver in Gullivers Travel that is
genuinely trying hard to find its way in the world. He also shared the
achievements of PCFC in relation to its contribution in the two countries
friendship.
1
Cn 17 uecember, ClC offlcers were
lnvlLed for Lhe flrsL Llme Lo Lhe second
annlversary of Lhe esLabllshmenL of Lhe
ASLAn-Chlna CenLer (ACC), celebraLed
aL Lhe lour Seasons PoLel ln 8el[lng.
Cver 300 dlsLlngulshed guesLs
parLlclpaLed ln Lhe recepLlon, lncludlng
represenLaLlves of varlous Chlnese
mlnlsLrles, ambassadors and dlplomaLs
from member sLaLes, 8el[lng- based
sLudenL represenLaLlves from ASLAn
counLrles (our very own ClC, SSA,
1SA8, AMSl8 eLc.) and oLher frlends
from Lhe commerce and buslness
lndusLry, academe, and medla.
ACC SecreLary-Ceneral Ma Mlngqlang
expressed LhaL year 2013 wlLnessed Lhe
growLh of Lhe ASLAn- Chlna CenLer,
whose alms are Lo promoLe LrusL,
undersLandlng, frlendshlp, muLual
beneflL and cooperaLlon beLween Lhe
ASLAn and Chlna. 1he cenLer's
numerous pro[ecLs and acLlvlLles have
all been successful: esLabllshmenL of
Lhe ASLAn-Chlna roducLs 1rade CenLre
ln ?lwu and Lhe ASLAn- Chlna Language
New Friendship
Filipino students
represented in the
2
nd
Anniversary
2
and CulLure CenLre, Lhe broadcasL of
"ulscovery ASLAn" and "1asLe ASLAn"
docu menLarles, and Lhe organlzaLlon of
ASLAn CulLure nlghLs, My ASLAn and
Chlna" MulLlmedla ArL LxhlblLlons, and
ASLAn Ambassadors LecLure Serles. Ma
Mlngqlang sLresses LhaL Lhe ACC
remalns Lo be boLh an lnformaLlon and
funcLlonal cooperaLlon cenLer for boLh
Chlnese and ASLAn people. Cne
lmporLanL evenL Lo look forward Lo ls
Lhe ASLAn Cames of ACC and ASLAn
CounLrles SLudenL's AssoclaLlon ln
8el[lng Lhls comlng sprlng.
1he evenL was a greaL way for ClC Lo
learn from Lhe good pracLlces of a well-
run organlzaLlon such as ACC as well
asas Lhe oLher sLudenL assoclaLlons of
ASLAns.

ClC wlshes Lo express lLs Lhanks Lo Lhe
ACC for lnvlLlng us.
PCFC President with CRI Filipino
Director Ms. Jade Xian, Ms. Mach
Ramos and Mr. Rhio Zablan.
ADVERTISEMENT Gift from our Sponsor

Show this page on
your next Pizza
craving at Lakers and
get special gifts on
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Address: Peking
University East Gate,
500 meters on
Chengfu Lu
Lan Qiying
Bus Stop
10
Philippine-China Friendship Club September 2013-February 2014


karen !acobo, MarkeLlng ulrecLor of lalrmonL PoLel,
meeLs ClC members
Slnce Lhe esLabllshmenL of Lhe ClC, lLs members have been forLunaLe Lo meeL
ouLsLandlng ClWs ln 8el[lng Lhrough Lhe club's evenLs and neLwork. Cne such
occurrence happened on uecember 1sL, when Lhe ClC offlcers and members
were lnLroduced Lo Lhe eleganL karen !acobo, MarkeLlng ulrecLor of Lhe lalrmonL
PoLel ln 8el[lng. A chance Lo help a fellow lnoy ln her success ln our adopLed
counLry, ClC members organlzed a 10-man volunLeer corps for Lhe hoLel's
annual ChrlsLmas Lree llghLlng ceremony. ClC asslsLed Lhe guesLs as Lhey
parLlclpaLed ln Lhe fun acLlvlLles such as cupcake decoraLlng, face palnLlng,
balloon LwlsLlng and ChrlsLmas cards deslgnlng.
The Real Spirit of
Christmas in
Beijing
by Pu Fen &
Hamilton Balonan
1he evenL noL only slgnaled Lhe
beglnnlng of Lhe hollday season, buL
also feaLured 8el[lng's LallesL lndoor
llvlng ChrlsLmas Lree, whlch sLands aL
7.3 meLers.
Simple and Special PCFC Christmas Party

Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth of Christ. Its that time of the year that
we can expect choirs of children upholding the maxims of the holiday spirit by
praising the Lord through terpsichorean choreography. We can also see the
ubiquitous wreaths and Christmas trees gracing every home or the
quintessential Christmas sock that will be overloaded with gifts by Christmas
end.
The PCFC Christmas Party was held on 15 December to foster camaraderie
and solidarity amongst the group at the Tsinghua Dormitory Apartments. This
Xmas Party heralds new beginnings while at the same time gives thanks to the
passing year. We invited Filipinos, TAGS (aka Chinese Students majoring
Tagalog), and Chinese families in Beijing that have become our friends.
We have decided to produce home cook meals for all guests of the party and
dedicate ourselves entirely to the task at hand so that each of the members in
our group would have a year blessed with a cornucopia of food made with
personal TLC. As the night is drawing to a close, we had two games, the Kings
game and White Elephant to complete our Xmas Party.
In conclusion, this event was not only meaningful but also necessary, as it will
form essential bonds in the club that would mold it into one entity both
intrinsically and extrinsically. We hope that this will also be a practice that can
be emulated and per- severed by future progenies to come.
Cangwashl Church (), frlends of ClC, serenaded Lhe parLy
wlLh Lhelr melodles slnglng Chlnese and Lngllsh ChrlsLmas Carol songs.