Who is "Chi-la-mah"? That is what I silently asked myself

China is a great country! That is one of my best impressions when I visited the country, particularly, Qingyuan City in Guangdong province last April and met one of my Chinese acquaintances. The city is fresh, warm, clean, green, vast, safe and peaceful. What challenged me the most was the Chinese language which I could not understand, speak, write or read. I only knew a few Chinese words, common phrases like "Xie xie" (Thank you), and "Bu ke qi" (You're welcome). An interesting statement that I did not clearly hear when I was introduced by my benefactor to his friends and acquaintances. They always respond, "Chi-la-mah". "Chi-la-mah" did not surprise me until its essence was explained to me.

"Chi-la-mah", that is how it sounded to me, though I later learned it's spelled "Chi le ma" in pinyin. This simple phrase, a customary greeting, carries the weight of China's rich and complex history. It's sobering to reflect on the country's difficult past. For nearly four decades, China endured immense struggles before achieving the prosperity and generosity its people enjoy today.

Who is "Chi-la-mah?", that is what my head silently asked. "I do not know", that lingers in my head and sound gibberish to me till I learnt what it means. "Have you eaten?" As translated, the statement filled my imaginations with the rich compassion and unity among the Chinese people because it expresses care for each other, whether a friend or a stranger. It is like making someone in his distress to feel that "you are not alone". Even if I have answered yes, I received a big bowl of white silky smooth and soft Chinese noodles smoking hot and fresh with meaty beef balls. "Hao chi!" What a delicious real Chinese cuisine! The soup moistened my mouth and warmed my tongue and down my esophagus and to my stomach filled with relief.

Yes, relief. Who else will not feel the relief of "Chi-la-mah"? In times of trouble, no Chinese person shall go starve to death but relief him from hunger. Compassion and care for each other are further proven as I stroll along the pavements of the Beijiang River where images of local heroes of Qingyuan city are standing tall on posts to let the people of China know that no matter how ordinary a person is, the person can do big for his fellowmen and similarly his country even in times of hardships and disaster. When I saw an elderly man along the pavement, writing using water and a brush on the curbs made of black blocks, I remembered a scene of calligraphy kung fu masters in Chinese movie, "Hero," starring Jet Li (Li Lianjie) as "Nameless", Tony Leung Chiu-wai (Liang Chaowei) as "Broken Sword", Zhang Ziyi as "Moon" and Donnie Yen as "Sky". The calligraphy school was stormed with thousands of arrows, but the master and the students continued writing. Some lost their lives. The dead buried their skills with them but the living continued writing. When the master's brush was hit and broken by an arrow, he caught an arrow and used it as a pen. The philosophy, values and experiences of these people are written, which may be lost but engraved in their hearts so deeply and profoundly. These heroes are everywhere, not dead but alive. They are not yet done, they still live to continue in every little way they can to help others.

Regardless of age, gender, and position, people perform their dances livestream in an open and wide-space arena early in the morning. Their moves show their joy of celebrating life in honor of the heroes with genuine smiles. They may not know you, but with their gestures, they are happy to invite you to join them. They don't really care if your steps are attuned to the music or the same as their execution.

Despite the luxury cars around, one could walk safely to Jiangbin Park. People take refuge under the shade of the verdant canopy of the foliage of the trees. The staff there were amazingly accommodating. Though amidst the scheduled task of the day, the staff showed why they are heroes themselves because they help preserve the treasures of the city. At Jiangbin Park, the Chinese library holds its ancient grandeur alive. The young ones should have been aware of this.

As night falls, the cityscape transforms into colorful display of vibrant lights, each building a canvas for a spectacular show. The bridges seem to come alive, resembling majestic flying dragons but in reality, they are illuminated by a stunning array of colours transitioning across the light spectrum. This technological marvel turns the once dark and gloomy night into breathtaking scene along the glorious river, leaving me into awe. The wonder of this technology truly amazed me and made me reflect that in four decades, China has reached this milestone if not with the heroes of the country, who else? As I went home, "Chi-la-mah," stocked into my head and sometimes rings to remind me that, "Chi-la-mah" is a good Chinese person. If there is something I want to do, visiting China and writing about the people and place would be one of the most interesting things to do.

Jerald C. Moneva is a Filipino senior high school teacher, coordinator, and part-time professor at the University of Visayas, the Philippines, specializing in research methodology and statistics.