GOVPH

Philippine Airlines ready to soar new heights with its new Shanghai office

SHANGHAI – In a bid to soar new heights and conquer more miles, Philippine Airlines opened the doors to their newly renovated Shanghai Office on 18 February 2025 at Shanghai’s posh Jing’An District.

The event was attended by PCG and PDOT personnel led by Consul John Francis S. Herrera, and joined by an intimate crowd composed of tour and chartered flight operators, PAL officers and employees, and select members of the Filipino community.

In his welcome remarks, Consul Herrera underscored the importance of tourism to heighten people to people exchanges between the Philippines and China, and shared his hope that more tourists would soon land on Philippine shores. Consul Herrera also cited some top Philippine tourist destinations and briefly introduced them to the Chinese-majority crowd.

Philippine Airlines renewed presence in Shanghai marks the beginning of a new year with an anticipated increase in the travel appetite of Chinese tourists, resembling pre-pandemic levels and the Consulate General in Shanghai stands ready to assist PAL and other airlines in capturing this very promising market. END

Moi, Shanghai's "Leader of the Band", made it in China

Musician and band leader Moises “Moi” Sumile Jr. started his musical journey in China in 2000 when he moved to Shanghai as the Asian Financial Crisis dried up gigs and venues elsewhere.

Already an accomplished musician before his transfer to Shanghai, Moi and his band had performed in different parts of Asia, including a career highlight performance for the Heads of Government of Commonwealth Nations meeting in Malaysia in 1989.

Moi, who hails from Davao, treads on the footsteps of Filipino musicians who have regaled the storied city of Shanghai since the 1880s when public bands were formed, through the 1920s jazz era, and into the 21st century, when Shanghai emerged as a global financial capital.

Moi soon found his footing in Shanghai. In 2007, he and his circle banded to form the Philippine Musicians Association of Shanghai (PMAS), of which he serves as president.

Aware of the particular hardships that come with the profession, the group now looks after the special needs of Filipino musicians: to individuals in distress or dire need of aid, or as a collective contending with shared concerns, as was the case during the Covid lockdowns of 2020-2022.

With over 700 members, PMAS is now the biggest Filipino organization in China. Using their talent, Moi’s group has been active in charities and fundraisers in Shanghai.

“While not connected to any charitable institution, our group has been doing fundraisers that have contributed to helping other musicians here and their families, and those back home in the Philippines,” Moi, now 59, says.

Moi says he seeks to use his musical and leadership skills to serve a higher purpose.

By standing out with his band and the PMAS, Moi – Shanghai’s “Leader of the Band” – #MadeItInChina

#PHLinChina #50thAnniversary

PCG joins celebration of Safer Internet Day (SID)

Celebrated every second Tuesday of February worldwide, Safer Internet Day (SID) focuses on digital safety and responsible internet use. It started with the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and now includes nearly 180 countries, including the Philippines. This year's theme, “Digital Bayanihan, Para sa Kabataang Ligtas at Protektado Online,” emphasizes working together to keep Filipino children safe online. SID encourages continuous effort and new ideas to make the internet safer for everyone, making it an important step towards a secure online space.