Chengdu teachers conduct classes in Cebu for ‘Panda Cultural Fest’

Fourteen teachers flew in from Chengdu, China to conduct free classes on Chinese culture, arts and tradition. The “Chengdu’s Panda Cultural Fest” was hosted by the Cebu Cherish School Inc., the Cebu FilipinoChinese Amity Club Inc., the Cebu Filipino-Chinese United Community and the Philippine Visayas Chinese Education Research Center Inc. from June 20-22. Interested students were given the chance to immerse themselves in classes such as calligraphy, hand shadow, clay molding, Kung Fu and Chinese cuisine.

These activities were being held concurrent to the arrival of Chengdu Mayor Lu Qiang who, with Chengdu government officials and delegates, visited Cebu Cherish School to witness the activities.

“I see a strong leadership of the school and brilliant and hardworking students,” said the Chengdu mayor in a speech that night. “They have taught the children calligraphy, painting and Kung Fu in a very short period of time, and the students learned all those skills quite well.”

The gastronomical creations of authentic Sichuan dishes made by Chinese chefs: Rong Jian Chen and Jiang Li Xiong, were served for dinner at the White Gold House that night. Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Councilor Margot Osmeña, Chengdu Mayor Lu and other government officials were among the guests who attended the cuisine-tasting event.

“Here, you are going to test how diplomatic your mayor is. I will pretend that I can eat spicy food,” Mayor Osmeña joked about the Sichuan cuisine, which is known for its signature use of spicy flavors.