Chinese school kids say thanks to Arroyo

MANILA: A hundred schoolchildren from Sichuan quake zones met with the Philippines' President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo here on Friday to thank her for their weeklong rehabilitation visit to the country.

At the Presidential Palace Malacanang, the children, dressed in school uniforms and ethnic costumes, sang the traditional Chinese song Grateful Heart to a smiling Arroyo.

Students from the Qiang ethnic group also presented her with a homemade goodwill bag (see photo), which is traditionally believed to bring good fortune and happiness to the recipient.