The Malaysian Embassy to the Philippines recently hosted a vibrant Chinese New Year celebration at Rumah Malaysia, attended by Malaysian and Chinese community members and distinguished guests.
The event, led by Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, embraced the spirit of Chinese New Year, which Malaysians have always given profound importance annually as it is part of their culture and tradition.
In his speech, the Ambassador said, “The Chinese New Year is a celebration that we, Malaysians, really give importance to. It showcases Malaysia’s respect for all cultures and religions and unity as we celebrate this prosperous occasion as one nation.”
He added that the celebration also signifies Malaysia’s commitment to building a society of peace, which is in line with the concept of Masyarakat Malaysia Madani.
“Likewise, the Chinese New Year is a meaningful celebration as it brings a message of hope,” he added. It symbolizes the opening of a new chapter, giving us the opportunity to reinvent ourselves to become the best versions of ourselves.
60 Years of Malaysia and Philippines Bilateral Relations
In addition, the celebration showcased Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and highlighted the strong bond between Malaysia and the Philippines, which has flourished for 60 years.
In his address, Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony emphasized the importance of cultural exchange in strengthening bilateral relations.
He expressed gratitude for the warm reception and collaboration between the two countries over the years.
“In this new chapter, we aim to reinvent our relationship as we strengthen cooperation in areas that are both beneficial to our nations and explore untapped areas of possible collaboration,” he said. “It is our hope that all the exciting events and programs we have prepared for this year will be fruitful. Of course, that would not be possible without the continued support of our friends from Malaysia, the Philippines, and the private and public sectors.”
Festive CNY Dinner
In the spirit of Chinese New Year, the traditional Yee Sang ceremony was shared among the attendees, fostering a sense of unity and joy.
Yee Sang, also known as Prosperity Toss, is a ceremony that symbolizes prosperity and good fortune by tossing a raw fish salad.
Guests were treated to a feast of Malaysian delicacies prepared by Malaysian hotels, Berjaya Hotel Manila and Dusit Thani Manila.
The sumptuous dinner included crab meat soup, Chinese fried rice, roasted chicken, mee goreng, traditional desserts, and The Tarik, Malaysia’s famous pulled tea.
Changemaker Award
One of the event’s highlights was the presentation of the Changemaker Award to Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony by the renowned Malaysian-founded company Big Bad Wolf.
The award recognized his significant contribution to philanthropy, specifically spearheading the donation of 1,000 books to Marawi, a gesture that will leave a lasting impact on the local community.
The donation aligns with the ambassador’s commitment to promoting education and fostering goodwill between Malaysia and the Philippines. The Big Bad Wolf, known for its commitment to literacy and community engagement, commended Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino for his dedication to making a positive difference.
In his parting words, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the bond that Malaysians and Filipinos have formed, underscoring that both are “similar in so many ways and getting together with families and friends is one of the uniqueness that defines our people.”
