Sen. Imee Marcos with Jessica Soho
Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, Jessica Soho, Ricky Lee honored by FFCCCII
FORMER First Lady Imelda Marcos, TV broadcaster Jessica Soho, film scriptwriter and National Artist for Film Ricky Lee and internationally-known designer Kenneth Cobonpue have been honored by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) led by its president, Dr. Cecilio K. Pedro, during its annual Chinese New Year Dinner Reception and Special Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at the Golden Bay Seafood Restaurant on Macapagal Avenue, Pasay City. The event celebrated the Lunar New Year’s cultural significance and recognized distinguished Filipinos for their exceptional contributions to Philippine society, and the event coincided with the kick-off of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Philippines-China diplomatic relations .
Aforementioned luminaries were honored for their contributions to Philippine culture, diplomacy, and civic engagement.
Former First Lady Imelda Marcos has been recognized for her pivotal role and for supporting late President Ferdinand E. Marcos in establishing Philippines-China diplomatic relations in 1975.
She was represented by her daughter, Senator Imee Marcos, who delivered an inspirational speech and also cited the ethnic Chinese ancestral heritage of the Marcos family ancestors. Eliza Romualdez Valto wrote that the Romualdez clan of Leyte and Manila trace their roots to Chinese immigrant Pei Ling Po who adopted the name Luis Romualdez upon Catholic baptismal in the Spanish colonial era, thus his descendants were listed in Spanish records as “Mestizos de Sangley” or Chinese mestizos.
Ricky Lee has been honored for his many achievements as scriptwriter, playwright, novelist, journalist, educator and for his new award-winning film Green Bones. Coincidentally, the film title draws inspiration from a Chinese belief that “green bones” signifies goodness of a departed person. Lee’s late father Lee Hian Chin was Secretary General of the Camarines Norte Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce. – Jessica Sohohas been celebrated for her integrity and excellence as topnotch journalist. She recently created a TV documentary tracing her roots to her late grandfather’s ancestral village in Guangdong province, China.
Kenneth Cobonpue was in the list for elevating Philippine industrial design of furnitures and craftsmanship globally.
This year’s reception also kicks off and aligns with broader celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Philippines-China diplomatic relations on June 5, 2025, highlighted by collaborative cultural and economic initiatives. The celebration also reflects the growing global appreciation for Chinese traditions, as seen in the UN’s recognition of the Spring Festival and its celebration by many societies worldwide, including Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, North America, Japan, Europe, Latin America, etc. Celebrating Chinese heritage as part of rich and diverse Filipino national culture, honoring excellence and philanthropy, and fostering unity in the Year of the Wooden Snake.
This is year 4723 in the ancient Chinese lunar calendar.
