XIAMEN (May 8) -- To celebrate International Labor Day holiday, the Filipino Association in Xiamen (FAX) organized a SportsFest with the theme "Summer Fun 2009".  About 150 members of the Filipino community living and working in the neighboring cities of Quanzho and Jinjang attended the event on May 1  held at the Xiamen Gang Wu Culture and Sports Center.

The annual Sportsfest, which is now on its 11th year, aims to foster stronger ties among the Filipinos through sports camaraderie and fun.  Aside from billiards, badminton and bowling there were also other games where participants competed. The Philippine Consulate staff and some of their family members took part in the games as well.

Consul General Raul S. Hernandez, the event's honored guest, commended the officers and members of FAX for gathering members of the Filipino community to celebrate the holiday.

In his opening message, he also took the opportunity to thank the association for their continuous support for the programs and activities of the Consulate General and further encouraged them to continue to be good ambassadors of the country by being outstanding in their craft.

Some participants, including the consulate staff and some of their family members, went home with trophies and enjoyed the special fun-filled day.