Around 1,000 Filipino students were sent off by the Taiwan-Philippines Educational Development Foundation (TPEDF) for a study program in Taipei under the Taiwan government's Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) and Taipei Economic Cultural Office (TECO) Philippines.
Some of the Filipino students were presented by the officers of the Taiwan-Philippines Educational Development Foundation (TPEDF) with a giant boarding pass to Taiwan during the Mid-Autumn Festival of the Taiwan Association Inc. held in Gloria Maris Greenhills, San Juan City on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024. (Freddie Velez)
This was announced by Lin Chai-Liang, chief operating officer of the TPEDF as the Taiwan Association Inc. celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival in Greenhills Mall, San Juan City on Sunday, Sept. 15.
Chai-Liang said about 1,000 students will begin their academic journey to various learning institutions around the island.
Throughout the program, students are provided with comprehensive training programs that allow them to apply their technical knowledge while acquiring new skills.
Chai-Liang said the TPEDF looks forward to repeating the process of helping promote Taiwan's Study Program, screen applicants, and send off students to a promising new start.
TECO deputy representative Dustin Yang, in an interview with the Bulacan media, advised the students to study hard and help strengthen the ties between the Philippines and Taiwan.
Last July, Yang joined the launch of Taiwan’s first “Project Ligaya” in Bustos, Bulacan to boost solidarity with the Philippines.
Project organizer Shirleen Hsieh, Taiwanese-Filipino born and raised in Bocaue, Bulacan, Taiwan’s international youth goodwill ambassador to the OCAC in the Philippines, led the event at the Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres in Barangay Bonga Menor, Bustos.
Hsieh said that after college, she went to Taiwan and returned to the Philippines bringing the pilot project that allows children to experience the Taiwanese culture. The project resulted in a good relationship between the Philippines and Taiwan.
The program teaches Filipino children how to make Taiwanese lanterns and how to play its twilight market games. It also introduces Taiwanese cultural toys and snacks to the children.
Hundreds of children who benefitted from the project included the wards of the Hearts Orphanage Inc. in Santa Maria, Bethany House, Sto. Niño Orphanage, and Philippine Children’s Mission in Balagtas, Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres Inc. and Nazareth Home for Children in Bustos, Bulacan.