STUDENTS in Barangay Magbok finally have a safe new place to learn as the local community turns the page on the devastation of the 2019 earthquakes.
On Friday, Dec. 19, the Chinese Consulate General in Davao and the Association of Davao Filipino-Chinese Communities officially turned over a ₱10-million school complex to the Magbok Filipino-Chinese Friendship Elementary School.
The new facility, featuring eight classrooms, a covered court, and a stage, replaces structures destroyed years ago and now serves over 100 students residing in the area’s relocation site.
During the handover ceremony, attended by representatives of Cotabato Governor Emmylou Mendoza and Tulunan Mayor Lee Roy Villasor, Chinese Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen emphasized that the project was born out of a refusal to let children suffer despite natural disasters.
“Though the former school buildings were damaged by an earthquake, the children’s dreams of learning never wavered,” Consul General Zhao said.
She noted that the reconstruction reflects a shared cultural value: “No matter how poor, never neglect education; no matter how hard, never let children suffer.”
Wilson Tan of the Filipino-Chinese community added that the project represents more than just “cement and steel,” calling it a sincere symbol of enduring international ties.
Investing in the Future
Consul General Zhao addressed the students directly, urging them to see the building as a “cradle for nurturing talents” and a bridge for cultural exchange.
“Cherish this hard-won opportunity to learn, strive for excellence, and grow into pillars who advance your nation’s development,” Zhao told the children. She expressed hope that the spirit of Sino-Philippine cooperation would take root in their hearts and be passed down through generations.
It is a great pleasure to join you all in witnessing this significant moment for the Magbok Filipino-Chinese Friendship Elementary School. On behalf of the Chinese Consulate General in Davao, I wish to extend my warm congratulations on the school’s successful completion. I would like to express my gratitude to the Association of Davao Filipino-Chinese Communities and the individuals who contributed funds and efforts to the school’s construction, as well as to the government and the school administration for their assistance throughout the project.
Though the former school buildings were damaged by an earthquake, the children’s dreams of learning never wavered. At that critical juncture, the Association of Davao Filipino-Chinese Communities and overseas Chinese passionate about education generously contributed, playing a vital role in the school’s reconstruction. As a Chinese saying goes, ‘No matter how poor, never neglect education; no matter how hard, never let children suffer’. This profoundly reflects China’s consistent emphasis on education.
“Prioritizing children and education above all else is a simple yet profound aspiration shared by the Chinese and Filipino peoples for the healthy growth of the next generation. China and the Philippines share geographical proximity and cultural affinity, with educational cooperation serving as a vital bond in our friendly relations. The school we inaugurate today is not merely a building for knowledge—it marks a new beginning for Sino-Philippine friendship. We envision this place becoming a cradle for nurturing talents—a place that imparts knowledge and skills while building bridges for cultural exchange.
“Dear students, you are the future of the Philippines and the inheritors of Sino-Philippine friendship. Cherish this hard-won opportunity to learn, strive for excellence, and grow into pillars who advance your nation’s development and deepen the friendship between our two countries. In the face of adversity, national and ethnic boundaries fade away. The overseas Chinese community in the Philippines actively fulfills their social responsibilities, spreading compassion and love.
“Let us take the completion of this school building as a starting point to translate our commitment to education into tangible actions. May the friendship between China and the Philippines take root and bear fruit in the hearts of these children, ensuring that the spirit of Sino-Philippine cooperation is passed down through generations. Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season! Thank you all!” the consul general further said.
Following the ceremony, the delegation traveled to a nearby school in Barangay Daig—the epicenter of the 2019 tremor—to distribute food and school supplies, further cementing the day’s theme of compassion and social responsibility.
