ALL six 2024 Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) laureates exemplify amiable people-to-people relations between the Chinese and Filipinos.

The ceremonies recognizing them happened at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel on June 7.

Hall of Fame awardees Larry Tan Villareal and Gabriel Ma. Lopez have long bridged the cultural gap of Sinos from the mainland and Pinoys and Tsinoys in Manila through their advocacies in education and socio-civic endeavors.

Outstanding Contribution awardees Benito Techico and Manuel Mamba have promoted trade, investment and tourism between the two nations.

Through civic works, Major Contribution awardees Ching Tam Cua and Dr. Lily Tan Lim have made significant contributions through people-to-people diplomacy fostering cross-cultural relations between the Philippines and China.

In his message, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian cited the long history of Philippines-China relations.

"The APPCU award was born during the hard days of the Covid-19 rampage. Thanks to the support of those with a broader view, we are giving out the annual award for six persons for the fourth time. The APPCU has become a flagship program to enhance traditional friendship, mutual understanding, and affinity between our two countries. Our friendship spans over more than a millennium. In the mid-1970s, the older generation of our leaders made a strategic decision to open up a new era of diplomatic ties. Forty years have passed and our commitment to the millennium-old friendship and affinity has kept us inspired as always," he said.

"Despite ups and downs since the establishment of diplomatic ties, China-Philippines relations have always been tenacious and forged ahead against all odds. This follows the defining trend of the times, reflects the will of the two peoples, and is also inseparable from the tireless efforts of people from different walks of life. Greater efforts have always made each time when bilateral relations encounter difficulties. The trend of China-Philippines friendly cooperation cannot be held back by anyone or any force," the Chinese ambassador expressed.

Association of Philippines-China Understanding (APCU), the organization behind APPCU, Chairman Emeritus former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo delivered her video message from Davao del Norte.

"Philippines-China relations are important. When I became President, relations between the Philippines and China entered a golden age. The continuing friendship between our two peoples enhances the mutually beneficial relations between our two countries and contributes to the peace and harmony in the Asia Pacific region. APPCU is expected to help further promote the friendship between our two peoples," she said.

Arroyo established the Filipino-Chinese Friendsgip Day in accordance with Proclamation No. 148 on June 9, 2002. The celebration this year coincides with the 49th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.

APCU President and APPCU Chairman Sixto Benedicto wished the laureates to be "infused with vigorous passion as we take on a greater role in the communal task of promoting Philippines-China understanding and friendship."

On the other hand, APCU Chairman Raul Lambino said that "each [of the awardees] represents the best of our aspirations and intentions to promote mutual understanding between the Philippines and China."

"They are recognized not ny chance but by dint of hard work, inspiring faith in ourselves and the future that we share with our Asian neighbors. I believe that this is one compelling moment to move significantly forward. And so we should. And so we must," he said.

On behalf of all the laureates, Lopez said it was an auspicious occasion as the time also was the 50th anniversary of the formal establishment of APCU as an NGO, a year before China and the Philippines established diplomatic relations in 1975.

While a young student he was with Arroyo as part of the APCU delegation in their visit to China in 1977. Forty-six years later, he again joined the group led by the former president to bring youth leaders to visit the same trail they had gone in that notable trip, witnessing first hand the remarkable progress China has undergone, and passing the baton of China-Philippines friendship to the next generation.

Lopez also mentioned the Bridges Foundation that Lambino has proposed. Bridges stands for Build Roads and Initiatives for Development, Governance and Environmental Successes.

Senate President Francis Joseph "Chiz" Escudero, Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go and Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz also delivered video messages.

Former Special Envoy to China and Chairman Emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) delivered the closing remarks in a mixture of Filipino and English, urging everyone to stay within the boundaries of friendship and understanding, notwithstanding the present challenges of territorial claims between China and the Philippines.