Tsinoy makes good in People's Republic

A hero of China's communist revolution is actually half-Filipino.

General Ye Fei, recipient of China's highest national medal in 1955, is also known as Sixto Mercado Tiongco Yap, a son of Tiaong town in Quezon.

On March 29, a memorial park in Tiaong will be dedicated in honor of this man who has remained obscure in the land of his birth, a signal event marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China.

Yap, or Ye Fei, was born to Yap Sun Uy, a Chinese, and Francisca Mercado, a Filipina, in Tiaong in May 1914. He went to China in 1919 to study and joined the Chinese people's struggle for liberation in his youth.

He later commanded the 10th division of the People's Liberation Army, the military district of Fujian, and the navy.

Ye Fei became the governor of Fujian, minister of communication and vice president of the standing committee of the National People's Congress. He attained full generalship and was awarded China's highest national medal in 1955.

In February 1989, Ye Fei made a sentimental journey to the Philippines to meet his siblings and relatives and to visit his mother's grave.

Ye Fei can be considered the Filipinos' contribution to China's revolution just as many national leaders of Chinese descent can be considered China's contribution to Philippine leadership.

Invited to grace the inauguration of the Gen. Sixto Mercado Tiongco (Ye Fei) Monument are dignitaries led by Gen. Angelo Reyes, Armed Forces chief of staff; Gen. Chen Shugen, China's deputy chief of staff; Chinese Ambassador Fu Ying; Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon Jr.; Sen. Nikki Coseteng; Interior Secretary Alfredo Lim;

Lucio Tan, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FFCCCII) president; and Nancy Herrin, Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran president.

The national park, which includes a garden, a monument and a skills training center, was made possible through efforts of the provincial government of Quezon and the municipality of Tiaong.

The development of the park was completed through efforts and contributions of the local Chinese initiated by the FFCCCII, Kaisa, Tan, and Robert Licup of Quezon.