TAIPEI, TAIWAN – The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) showcased glimpses of Filipino culture in the 2018 Asia Pacific Cultural Day (APCD) held at the Taipei Main Station last October 27 and 28, 2018.

MECO’s booth blended different cultural practices and materials that can be found throughout the country. Capiz lanterns, a decoration common among Filipino households during the Christmas season, and the t’nalak fabric, a hand-woven cloth manually produced by the T’boli people in Mindanao, provided a colorful background for the booth.

Free scoops of sorbetes, the Filipino version of ice cream known for its creamy consistency and distinct flavor due to the coconut milk ingredient, were distributed during the two-day event. Booth visitors were able to taste three typical Filipino ice cream flavors, namely, ube (purple yam), mango and avocado.

The rondalla ensemble of the City of Bogo Science and Arts Academy also served as an attraction for Taiwanese and other foreign tourists present in the exhibit area. The ensemble composed of 10 high school students played a number of Filipino folk songs and performed traditional folk dances such as tinikling and pandanggo sa ilaw.

The Asia Pacific Cultural Day is an annual event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Taiwan. Its primary goal is to achieve mutual understanding and cultural cooperation between the Taiwanese people and their neighbor countries located in the Asia Pacific region.

With the theme, “Together Sparkling in Asia Pacific”, this year’s APCD specifically highlighted the role of cultural exchange to achieve the goals of Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy. A total of 18 countries participated in the event for this year, 2018.

Upon conclusion of the opening ceremony, Taiwan’s Vice President Chen Chien-jen visited the individual country booths inside the exhibit site. After receiving a warm welcome from MECO Chairman and Resident Representative Angelito T. Banayo as he passed by the Philippine booth, Vice President Chen stayed for a few minutes to enjoy the performance of the rondalla ensemble brought by MECO.