​Historical records indicate that the Hinghwa people had already reached the Philippines as early as the Ming Dynasty. However, documentation remains scarce, and efforts to identify a distinct Hinghwa enclave in the country have so far been inconclusive. One possible clue is the existence of a road named Putian Road in Cebu, which may suggest a historical presence.

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Earlier research pointed to Henry T. Sy Sr., the founder of the SM Group and one of the Philippines’ most prominent businessmen, as a possible link. Initial findings suggested he was a native of Putian. However, subsequent sources offered conflicting accounts, naming Xiamen and Quanzhou as his places of origin. While all three cities are in Fujian Province, there is currently no definitive proof that he hailed specifically from Putian.

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Research is still ongoing, and new findings will be shared as they emerge.

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