The Taiwanese Association of the Philippines (TAPh) celebrated its 20th anniversary Sunday with a grand luncheon, highlighting two decades of community service and the strengthening of ties between Taiwan and the Philippines.

The event featured a high-level delegation led by Chia-ching Hsu, minister of Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council. More than 300 guests attended the celebration, which commemorated the association’s role in fostering unity and civic engagement among overseas Taiwanese residents.

TAPh president Tomas Pai honored the association’s founding leaders and reaffirmed a commitment to expanding community services and youth development.

“Nurturing the next generation is vital to ensuring the long-term strength of the Taiwanese community in the Philippines,” Pai said.

Ambassador Wallace M.G. Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines praised the organization for acting as a platform for grassroots diplomacy. He noted that cooperation between the two nations has expanded in trade, agriculture and investment.

They credited the association’s growth to leadership continuity and a culture of unity and added that overseas communities have embraced the “Taiwan Can Help” spirit through consistent involvement in local charity and public welfare initiatives.

Meantime, House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil commended the Taiwanese community for its economic and social contributions to the country. Velicaria-Garafil, who recently received Taiwan’s Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon, said these efforts have deepened the friendship between the two peoples.

The delegation from Taiwan included several prominent officials, such as Deputy Minister Wen-chieh Liang of the Mainland Affairs Council and legislators Chu-yin Lin and Jie Huang.