A wonderful painting featuring Chinese mythological figures by Hong. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]

Having relocated to the Philippines at the tender age of 12, Hong Jingwen has gracefully navigated the complexities of adapting to a new culture and lifestyle during her formative teenage years.

Despite forging new friendships, her unwavering connection to her roots remains evident, as her WeChat region proudly displays "Quanzhou, Fujian", a city at the starting point of the Maritime Silk Road, brimming with treasured memories from Hong's childhood.

Strolling through the vibrant streets of Manila, Hong often finds herself engulfed in nostalgia, reminiscing about the delectable Fujian cuisine, the soothing ocean breezes and the loving presence of her grandparents.

Faced with the pangs of separation, she's sought solace and self-expression through art, aiming to explore and perpetuate the essence of her memories.

What began as a personal coping mechanism soon evolved into a transformative journey, culminating in accolades from various international painting competitions and fostering cultural exchanges that transcend borders.

At the core of Hong's artistic vision lies a profound spirit of connection. In her creations, she skillfully intertwines symbols from both Chinese and Filipino cultures: the Great Wall, peonies, pandas and Chinese traditional hanfu apparel seamlessly blend with Manila's clock tower, jasmine flowers, coconut trees and Filipina dresses.

For Hong, painting transcends mere artistry. It serves as a medium to convey her profound love of Chinese culture and acts as a bridge uniting Fujian with the Philippines.

Looking ahead, Hong plans to delve deeper into Fujian's rich heritage, its traditional culture, ancient architecture and the history of maritime trade. She hopes to paint the attractions of Fujian and promote Chinese culture to more people around the world.

Hong wears zanhua, the colorful and distinctive floral headdress. [Photo provided to gofujian.com]