Filipinos Make It in China: Stories of Success and Impact
The #MadeItInChina online series celebrates the inspiring journeys of over 50 Filipinos living and working in China. Launched by the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, this initiative honors their achievements and contributions as part of the 50th anniversary of Philippines-China diplomatic relations.
The embassy emphasized that the series aims to spotlight the diverse roles Filipinos play in various Chinese communities and industries. “We always talk about ‘people-to-people exchanges.’ But how does it really work? What good does it bring? And who are the ‘people’? In the series #MadeItInChina, we go from abstract to concrete. We highlight these people’s profiles and their amazing stories,” said Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz.
Running from January to June 2025, the series showcased remarkable individuals found through the help of Philippine Consulates General in Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, and Xiamen. Their stories of perseverance and success were compiled into a book scheduled for launch at the embassy’s Diplomatic Reception in Beijing on June 11.
Recognizing Filipinos Making It in China
These outstanding Filipinos are set to be honored through receptions hosted by seven Philippine Foreign Service Posts across China. Their achievements span numerous fields including education, science, economics, media, and business.
Among those featured are Roman and Mildred Go, who founded the first international school in Xiamen; Dr. Karen Tagulao, a marine biologist dedicated to mangrove conservation; and Rod Camposagrado, a hotel executive with decades of experience. Also highlighted are Eric Baculinao, the Emmy-award winning Beijing bureau chief of an international news network; Kevin Chua, a senior economist at the World Bank’s Beijing office; and Kahlil Kui, a specialist in geophysics and mountain hazards in Chengdu.
Extraordinary Filipinos Building Bridges in China
Other notable figures include Belle de Borja, who teaches Tibetan minority children in Gansu; Carlos Chan, chairman of a major company and one of the earliest foreign investors in Shanghai; and Melissa Gecolea, a respected Hong Kong news anchor. Ambassador FlorCruz praised them as “ordinary people doing extraordinary deeds.”
He explained that these Filipinos demonstrate how China offers opportunities for career growth and success. At the same time, they contribute positively to their fields and foster friendship and mutual understanding between the Philippines and China.
This milestone anniversary highlights the deepening ties between the two nations, despite ongoing challenges such as territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
For more news and updates on Filipinos making it in China, visit Filipinokami.com.