Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined the ribbon-cutting for the Chibog Chow Festival Saturday at Robinsons Place Manila, calling it “a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and community” that reflects the ties between Filipinos and the Filipino-Chinese community.

Organized by former Senator Nikki Coseteng, the two-day festival marked the Chinese New Year and featured Filipino-Chinese cuisine, local products, cultural presentations, and live performances.

“It is truly a pleasure to join you today for the opening of Chibog Chow, a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and community. With thousands of guests, colorful displays, lively performances, and of course, amazing food, today’s event shows how joyful it is when people come together to celebrate what unites us,” Go said.

The festival also commemorates the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. Go said it highlights cultural exchange and local entrepreneurship.

“Chibog Chow is more than just a food fair. It is a gathering of stories, traditions, and shared experiences. Inspired by the words ‘Chibog’—let’s feast—and ‘Chow’—let’s eat—this festival reminds us that food has a special way of bringing people closer,” he said.

“The blend of Filipino and Chinese flavors here today reflects a long history of cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. From bold tastes to creative presentations, every dish represents hard work, passion, and pride. This event also gives our local entrepreneurs, chefs, artists, and performers a platform to shine and to share their talents with a wider audience,” Go added.

The festival introduced mascots PINCHI the Panda and NANOY the Tamaraw, representing peace, friendship, and harmony. Go praised organizers and partners, saying, “I commend the organizers, partners, and everyone behind this festival for making this possible. Events like this promote creativity, tourism, and community spirit. Higit sa lahat, nagbibigay ito ng saya at inspirasyon sa ating mga kababayan.”

He encouraged attendees to enjoy the festival: “To everyone here today—families, friends, guests, influencers, and members of the media—enjoy the food, enjoy the performances, and enjoy each other’s company. Let us celebrate culture, cooperation, and the simple joy of sharing a good meal together.”

Also attending were Coseteng, Congresswoman Marivic Co-Pilar, Manila Tourism OIC Kristal Bagatsing, Councilors Mikey Belmonte and Charry Ortega, and former Councilors Julian and Kate Coseteng.