Intramuros, City of Manila
June 7, 2025

“We proudly light up the iconic Jones Bridge in all its renewed glory and breathe new life into it. This is what the Chinatown Revitalization Project is all about. It is about restoring Binondo [and] reaffirming its cultural and historical place and significance to our shared heritage,” stated President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. during the Jones Bridge lighting ceremony in celebration of 50 years of Philippine-China Bilateral Relations held at the Pasig River Esplanade in Intramuros, City of Manila.

In his keynote address, President Marcos Jr. fondly reminisced about Binondo’s culinary delights, highlighting its famous food streets — Ongpin, Yuchengco, Carvajal and Benavidez — where traditional treats such as dumplings, lumpia, mami and siopao continue to delight both locals and visitors alike. “Of course, more than the food, it is also about the feeling. When we are here, we can feel the sense of place that has shaped Manila and our people,” he said.

The Chief Executive also paid tribute to Jones Bridge as a symbol of resilience that has withstood wars, floods and the test of time. He emphasized the importance of preserving and revitalizing this iconic area, describing it as a living testament to the shared heritage of the Filipino and Chinese communities.

This event is part of the larger Chinatown Revitalization Project, a government initiative aimed at restoring Binondo’s cultural and economic vibrancy, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Philippine-China relations.

President Marcos Jr. expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese community that has kept Binondo, the world’s oldest Chinatown, vibrant for half a century. “From the families, the merchants, the students, the elders — all those who have kept this place alive and vibrant and an important part of our continuing cultural evolution. You have done much more for our heritage, more than you can ever know. Maraming salamat po,” he said, urging the Filipino youth to experience Binondo’s rich history firsthand.

Alongside the Binondo revitalization, other government projects are underway to improve the Pasig River and its surrounding areas, including the Pasig River Urban Development Project which aims to make the district more livable and accessible.

“Let us finish Phase II, as we transform Ongpin and Escolta into cultural and economic hubs. We will bring back their golden years so that we can relive them,” he stated, encouraging everyone to support local businesses, indulge in local treats, and appreciate the simple beauty of Jones Bridge — a symbol of the enduring friendship between the Filipino and Chinese communities.

“In times like these, when everything can feel loud and fast and confusing, I believe what we need is right here. A place as simple as a bridge or a street that tells us to pause and to reflect on who we are and what we share as a nation,” President Marcos Jr. said in concluding his message.

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