DOrSU, CI–ADDU celebrate Chinese New Year as partnership reaches third year
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU), in collaboration with the Confucius Institute of Ateneo de Davao University (CI-ADDU), turned this year’s Chinese New Year celebration into a showcase of language learning and academic exchange, staging performances and hands-on cultural stations on February 13 at the DOrSU Student Center.
Ms. Ailian Cheng, representing Dr. Luo Jian Ping (CI-ADDU Chinese Director), said the celebration also marked the third year of partnership between DOrSU and CI–ADDU. “We also celebrate an important milestone—three years of flourishing partnership between DOrSU and CI–AdDU,” Cheng said. Urging attendees to make the most of the program, she tied her message to the Year of the Horse: “The horse symbolizes strength, vitality, rapid progress, and a spirited momentum… Success comes with the arrival of the horse. May we gallop ahead with the horse’s dynamic spirit and reach new heights.”
In his message, University President Dr. Roy G. Ponce cited what he described as long-standing ties between the Philippines and China, saying Chinese influence can still be seen in everyday Filipino life—from food to shared beliefs. He also framed the celebration as part of the university’s role in building intercultural understanding. “A university should be a melting pot of culture,” Dr. Ponce said.
DOrSU’s Vice President for Global Affairs and Strategic Operations for Excellence, Dr. Lilibeth S. Galvez, said the celebration also affirmed the university’s institutional partnerships, describing the continuing collaboration among DOrSU, CI–ADDU, and Huaqiao University as bridges of understanding that transcend borders.
Dr. Maricar Gay V. Panda, CI-ADDU English Director, also described the Chinese New Year as a celebration rooted in shared values and identity. Referring to the Fire Horse, she said it symbolizes passion, courage, innovation, illumination, and strength, and it charges ahead with resolute vitality, breaking through with courage and determination. She added, “May we embrace the positive energy of the fire horse, and may our three universities continue to burn brightly to the entire community.”
Also present were Dr. Nelson P. Pastolero, DOrSU’s first short-term faculty exchange participant at Huaqiao University in Quanzhou, Fujian, China, and Dr. Jovanie B. Garay, who is set to serve as an English faculty member at the same university.
Performances were delivered by students from DOrSU’s Physical Education program and Mandarin Language students under Laoshi Lin Wenhui, a Mandarin teacher from Huaqiao University deployed at DOrSU since August 2025. The program featured a dragon dance, along with Chinese song-and-dance and Chinese dance numbers.
The celebration was capped with cultural immersion activities, including Free Hanfu Try-On, Chinese Flower Knot Making, Hand Fan Design, and Calligraphy Writing.
