Filipino “Generation Z” International Student in China: China’s Openness and Inclusion Have Found a Bigger Stage for Me

“The moon rises to shine on the halfway slope, shining on the halfway slope, reminds me of my elder brother… “At the mid-term concert for art master’s students held by the school of Music of Guangxi Arts University recently, Filipino student Eliza’s (伊丽莎) singing sometimes sweet and affectionate, sometimes mischievous and dynamic, portraying the Chinese folk song” Little River Flows “with a unique flavor, receiving cheers from the audience.

“To learn Chinese music well, one must understand the historical and cultural background behind its creation, understand the meaning of the lyrics, and express the emotions of the song, “Eliza said. She summarized the techniques for singing Chinese songs, including listening more, reciting the lyrics according to the melody, and most importantly, understanding the meaning of the lyrics.

Eliza was born in 1997 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in vocal performance at Guangxi Arts University. Influenced by her parents, this lively and cheerful girl grew up under the influence of music. She performed on stage at the age of 3 and entered a professional music training institution at the age of 6 to study music. She studied Creative and Performing Music Arts at the University of the Philippines for her undergraduate degree, majoring in Asian music. When learning Asian music, traditional Chinese instruments is necessary, and after encountering the erhu (二胡), she fell in love with Chinese music.

“I really like the erhu. Its voice is lyrical and soft, just like telling people a beautiful story. “Eliza said that the erhu, which has a thousand year history, is one of the representatives of traditional Chinese instruments. Its structure is not complex, but it is not easy to learn. She studied the erhu with a Chinese teacher for two years, but only gained a superficial understanding. Nevertheless, she still maintains her love for Chinese music and her longing for China.

In recent years, with the increasingly close exchanges and cooperation between China and ASEAN, more and more communication platforms have been established between the two sides. Eliza has performed in Thailand and Singapore. In May 2018, Eliza was given the opportunity to perform in Guangxi and received attention for her outstanding performance during the China-ASEAN Music Week event. The following year, Eliza was admitted to Guangxi Arts University.

Eliza told that after returning to Nanning in March this year to start offline studies, she has been very busy every day. As a cutting-edge and hub city for China’s open cooperation with ASEAN, many cultural exchange activities are carried out here, providing a stage for ASEAN youth to showcase their talents in China. In her spare time, Eliza actively participated in activities such as the Chaoyin 2023 New Folk Song Challenge and the China-ASEAN Classic Folk Song Symphony Concert, seizing every opportunity to showcase herself on stage.

In April of this year, Guangxi celebrated the traditional ethnic festival of “March 3rd”. Eliza put on the Bourau(壮族) costumes and instantly became a Bourau “sister”, singing mountain songs with international students from ASEAN countries to deeply experience China’s ethnic culture. She said it was an interesting event.

Eliza said that in Guangxi, she made friends from all over the world and felt China’s multiculturalism and inclusiveness. It is China’s open and inclusive environment that has given her the opportunity to study in China, given her a broader stage, and also made her more outgoing and confident. “In China, my friends treat me like old friends. I won’t suffer from ‘homesickness’ and can pursue my music dream with peace of mind.”

Eliza has opened a performing arts studio and stated that in the future, she will teach Chinese music to more Filipino performing arts enthusiasts, allowing them to understand China through music. “I aspire to ascend to a higher stage in China, connect more Chinese people with music, and bring the people of the Philippines and China closer together, “said Eliza.

Source: www.istudy-china.com