Nearly 400 members of the Taiwanese community, Filipino guests and public officials from Taiwan and the Philippines gathered in Manila on Sunday for the Dragon Boat Festival Celebration hosted by the Taiwanese Association of the Philippines, highlighting the strong people-to-people ties and enduring friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines.

The annual event brought together overseas Taiwanese families, community leaders, government representatives, and distinguished guests to celebrate one of Taiwan’s most cherished cultural traditions while promoting cultural exchange and community engagement in the Philippines.

TAP president Tomas Pai said the association remains committed to serving the Taiwanese community while encouraging younger generations to take an active role in community service and cultural activities.

“We hope to continue building a warm and welcoming home for Taiwanese living in the Philippines while inspiring more young people to contribute to community development and cultural exchange,” Pai said.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Representative Wallace M.G. Chow noted that the Dragon Boat Festival offers overseas Taiwanese families an opportunity to reconnect with their cultural roots while sharing Taiwan’s traditions with Filipino friends.

“The Dragon Boat Festival celebrates family, community, and cultural heritage. It is always encouraging to see Taiwanese and Filipino friends come together and strengthen the bonds that connect our societies,” Chow said.

House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil fondly recalled her years of service in Taiwan and said that Taiwan has become her “second home.”

She praised the longstanding friendship between the Filipino and Taiwanese people and expressed hope for even greater cooperation in education, culture, and community initiatives.

Also joining the celebration was MECO board director Wilson U. Tecson, who emphasized the importance of people-to-people exchanges in further deepening Taiwan-Philippines relations.

“Strong friendships between our communities provide a solid foundation for expanded cooperation in culture, education, business, and tourism,” Tecson said.

Adding special significance to this year’s celebration, Taiwan legislators Ho Hsin-chun and Chung Chia-pin traveled to the Philippines together with Taichung City Councilors Lee Tien-sheng and Jang Jia-an, demonstrating their support for overseas Taiwanese communities and their commitment to strengthening Taiwan-Philippines friendship through cultural and civic exchanges.

The legislators expressed their appreciation for the contributions of Taiwanese residents in the Philippines and reaffirmed their commitment to fostering closer cooperation and mutual understanding between the people of Taiwan and the Philippines.

Guests also enjoyed traditional Dragon Boat Festival delicacies and joined in singing the beloved Taiwanese classic “Sio Bah Tsang (Rice Dumpling Song),” creating a festive atmosphere filled with nostalgia, cultural pride and community spirit.