In celebration of "the Years of Friendly Exchanges between China and the Philippines" (2012～2013), "a Traditional Chinese Lanterns Festival with a Concert at the Park"co-sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy, the People's Government of Quanzhou City of China and the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association of the Philippines was formally opened to the public on 11 March in the Chinese Garden of the Rizal Park in Manila.
The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of the Philippines H.E. Ma Keqing, the Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines Hon. Erlinda F. Basilio, the Mayor of Manila City Hon. Alfredo Lim, the head of the delegation from Quanzhou City Mr. Hu Yixiong, the President of the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Association of the Philippines Mr. Antonio D. Tan and the leaders of the Filipino-Chinese community presented and made speeches.
About 3,000 people proceeded to the Rizal Park Open-Air Auditorium through a gallery of more than 100 beautiful lanterns to watch a cultural presentation in Concert at the Park, featuring visiting marionette and drama troupes from Quanzhou City of China.