Basketball superstar Yao Ming affirms PH-China friendship

In a demonstration of the abiding friendship and kinship between the Philippines and China, which enjoy centuries of uninterrupted friendly ties as trade cooperation also remains strong and deep among both countries’ peoples, famous Chinese basketball star Yao Ming was invited guest of honor at the Sports Day charity event for disadvantaged children held at Malacañang Palace.

The event was hosted by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and was graced by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The friendly 7’6” Yao Ming had excelled as center from 2002-11 for the two-time NBA champion Houston Rockets.

This Yao Ming visit was a positive event, almost similar to the “pingpong diplomacy” in the early 1970s between the US and China which helped to open the People’s Republic of China’s diplomatic relations with the US after the “Cold War” era of distrust.

Basketball diplomacy of this Sports Day in Malacañang has allowed the Philippines and China to boost traditional friendship. Even former political rivals also renewed friendship, with President Marcos Jr. hugging his election rival, ex-Sen. and former boxing champion Manny Pacquiao, who was among the VIPs who graced the event.

Pacquiao took off his formal Barong Tagalog and wore only his long-sleeved undershirt after seeing BBM, as Marcos is known to supporters, wearing only a casual grey T-shirt. Yao Ming delivered an extemporaneous speech in fluent English, extolling the friendship between the Philippines and China and the promotion of sports for kids. He was accompanied by his wife Ye Li, a basketball player herself and former member of the Chinese national team. China’s Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian in his speech called for strengthening of cooperation between the two countries. Pacquiao delivered an inspirational message in Filipino, while another speaker was Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

Yao Ming and basketball were appropriate choices for this charity initiative. Ms. Marcos’ father was the late Ilonggo Olympic basketball player Manuel “Manolet” Ledesma Araneta Jr., who was a member of the Philippine national team that competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

Himself a fitness buff, President Bongbong Marcos told officers of Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) with a laugh, “Of course, I love basketball. Who in the Philippines doesn’t love basketball?”

The First Couple enthusiastically mingled with the children and their guardians, and had their photos taken. They autographed basketballs, shirts or pieces of paper.

The Sports Day had children’s party foods, various sports activities and games, and gift- giving. School supplies and toys were distributed to disadvantaged kids, who included orphans, abused and abandoned children from all over Metro Manila.

This charity event was sponsored the Filipino Chinese community led by the FFCCCII, represented by its president Dr. Cecilio Pedro, EVP Victor Lim, VP Antony Chan, and board member Wilson Lee Flores.

Dr. Pedro gave the assurance: “We support the First Lady’s civic project and other socioeconomic initiatives of President Bongbong Marcos for national progress. We also support the promotion of cooperation and friendship between the Philippines and China, as exemplified by this civic event with Yao Ming and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian. We also wholeheartedly support basketball and sports development.”