Known as the “Mayor of Xiamen” Jose Noel Halili Antivola, better known as Bong Ants shares his experience of living in Xiamen and China at large!
Jose Noel Halili Antivola(被稱為“廈門市長”和 Bong Ants)分享了他在廈門及整個中國的生活經歷!
個人簡介:
Name : Jose Noel Halili Antivola(otherwise known as Bong Ants)
姓名:Jose Noel Halili Antivola(也被稱為Bong Ants)
Country of Origin : Republic of the Philippines
國籍:菲律賓共和國
Occupation : Creator of B.A.D. Lab for Landy International
職業(yè):廈門萊恩迪貿易發(fā)展有限公司市場總監(jiān)
Years in China : 14 years, 5 months and 24 days
在華居住時間:14 年 5 個月 24 天
How did your journey in China begin?
你的中國之旅是怎樣開始的?
On November 9th 2006, I met two Americans in Manila, Philippines named Stevens Vaughn and Rodney Cone. They were on vacation that time and were looking for a personal assistant for Stevens. I was then working as Executive Assistant to the President at Folded and Hung. When they offered me the job at Golden Bears Design Studio, I accepted it and came to Xiamen on December 2, 2006… and the rest is history.
2006 年 11 月 9 日,我在菲律賓馬尼拉遇到了兩位美國人,分別是史蒂文斯·沃恩(Stevens Vaughn)和羅德尼·科恩(Rodney Cone)。他們當時正在度假,并且想為史蒂文斯尋找一位私人助理。那時我擔任Folded and Hung總裁的行政助理。我接受了他們給我的金熊設計工作室的工作機會,并于 2006 年 12 月 2 日來到廈門……之后開始了我的中國之旅。
What do you like most about your city and China as a whole?
你所在的城市,哪一點最吸引你?你最喜歡中國的什么呢?
Xiamen is my Paradise – my place of contentment and fulfillment. The weather is similar to that of the Philippines though a bit colder in winter. The people are welcoming and the community is generally helpful to each other. I also love getting involved with various art projects at the Nordic Contemporary Art Center and Xiatenwei Wetland Park. And last but not the least… PARTIES!
廈門是給我?guī)頋M足感和成就感的天堂。這里的天氣和菲律賓很相似,只是冬天會更冷一些。人們都很熱情,社區(qū)里的人經常互幫互助。我也非常喜歡參與廈門北歐當代藝術中心和下潭尾濕地公園的各種藝術項目。最后,我非常喜歡這里的……派對!
What fascinated you the most about living in China?
生活在中國,最吸引你的是什么?
The most fascinating thing for me is how the Chinese government handled the COVID-19 pandemic. At the onset of the situation, they acted swiftly and made drastic decisions to close the borders. The system of contact tracing, preventive measures, distribution of vaccines are things other countries can definitely learn from.
最令我感觸的是中國政府應對新冠肺炎疫情的方式。疫情一開始,中國政府迅速采取行動,做出關閉邊境的重大決定。接著建立接觸者追蹤系統(tǒng)、采取預防措施、開始分發(fā)疫苗……這些舉措絕對值得其他國家學習。
What is your unique China story?
你有什么獨特的中國故事?
I guess being called by most people in the city as “The Mayor of Xiamen” is the most unique for me. I’m also elated to be given recognition from fellow expat creative JQNation as the “2020 Artist of the Year”, Gold Awardee from the Asia Pacific Youth Performing Art Championship 2020 (Malaysia) together with Celine, Hanna and team.
對我而言,被大多數人稱為“廈門市長”是最獨特的事。此外,我也很高興能與 Celine、Hanna 和團隊一起獲得 2020 年亞太青年文化藝術錦標賽(馬來西亞)金獎,并獲得外籍創(chuàng)意公司 JQNation 授予的“2020 年度藝術家”稱號。
Some background on his home country.
介紹一下Bong的祖國背景。
Originally from Bacolod City, Negros Island this town is known as “The City of Smiles”. It is famous for sugar – probably why people are sweet and happy. Every October, locals and visitors alike celebrate the Masskara Festival where revelers adorn themselves in creative masks and costumes.
內格羅斯島的巴科洛德市,以“微笑之城”而聞名。這里的糖果十分出名——也許這就能解釋為什么這里的人都是甜蜜幸福的。每年 10 月,當地人和游客都會戴上富有創(chuàng)意的面具和服裝,一起狂歡慶祝面具節(jié)。
作者:Bong 翻譯:鄧忠悅
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