Courtesy of the Culture Center of T.E.C.O. in the Philippines
MORE than 300 parents, students, and community members gathered at Liberty Hall in Manila to celebrate the 2025 Summer Folk Dance Showcase—highlighting a successful collaboration between Taiwan and the Filipino community to promote cultural heritage and youth education.
The event was part of the “Cultural Learning Program” jointly organized by Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), the Filipino Chinese Cultural and Economic Association (FCCEA), and the Philippine Chapter of the Chinese Cultural Renaissance Movement Promotion Committee. Filipino students, trained by local instructors, performed traditional folk dances in a vibrant display of movement and tradition.
FCCEA President Jaime Tan emphasized the association’s long-standing dedication to cultural education since its founding in 1966, adding that such programs build pride among youth and foster closer ties between Taiwan and the Philippines.
Director Eric Po-Chih Chuang of the Culture Center of T.E.C.O. in the Philippines commended the students for dedicating their summer to cultural enrichment. He highlighted the contributions of lead instructor Ms. Kaneesha C. Jobie Ko in nurturing a new generation of folk dance performers. Chuang also noted that the Center and FCCEA promotes multicultural education through additional classes in Mandarin, Hokkien, and mental arithmetic.
Ko, now in her third year leading the program, expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic participation of students and strong parental support. She choreographed performances such as Flying Drum Rhythms, Fan Dance Elegance, and Joyful Village, blending tradition with creativity after just 20 days of training.
Seven assistant instructors also supported the program, which engaged children of all ages in preserving and celebrating cultural identity.
Distinguished guests included OCAC Adviser Helen Lim Chua and Deputy Director of the Culture Center Benjamin Chong-Wei Liang. Organizers reaffirmed their commitment to cultural exchange and educational initiatives that keep traditional heritage alive and relevant among the younger generation in the Philippines.
