Posted January 12, 2010

TAIPEI – The Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei and several Filipino community organizations in Taiwan are offering Christmas gifts that make a lasting difference this season.

 “Our OFW associations in Taiwan have remained true to the Christmas spirit. They are bringing the life of Christmas to the heart of our community by organizing events that support worthy causes,” said Antonio Basilio, managing director and resident representative of MECO.

“We applaud them for inspiring the spirit of giving in all of us. The true spirit of Christmas is reflected in their dedication to helping those who are in need, those who are in distress and those who are in despair. They are our modern-day Santa Clauses.”

Basilio singled out the Rev. Fr. Joy Tajonera, founder of the Ugnayan Migrant and Immigrant Center in Taichung County, as one of those individuals who is adding a spark to an OFW’s Christmas.

“In 2009, Ugnayan was able to raise more than NT$200,000 (around 287,000 pesos) for foreign workers in distress and for the victims of the widespread flooding caused by Typhoon Ondoy,” Tajonera said.

“I am truly amazed at the generosity and compassion of the good folks in Taiwan. Many of them have donated cash, blankets, clothes and canned goods to the typhoon victims and our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Taiwan.”

Gloria Suizo, president of the OFW Family Club in Taiwan, agreed.

“We will always support the worthy projects being spearheaded by MECO and Fr. Tajonera of the Ugnayan Migrant and Immigrant Center,” Suizo said.

“The OFW Family Club, alongside numerous Filipino organizations in Taiwan, believes that spreading hope and love is the best gift that we can give our fellow Filipinos this Christmas.”

Ugnayan, which provides shelter to distressed migrants, kickstarted two fund-raising events during the holiday season. The events’ proceeds will benefit the migrant centers in Taipei and Taichung, distressed OFWs in Taiwan and a number of needy school children in the Philippines, Tajonera said.

A portion of the money raised will also finance job-training programs in Manila for returning OFWs, he continued.

“Even former Philippine labor officials who used to be stationed in Taiwan continue to support our outreach programs for migrant workers,” said Tajonera.

From December 15 to 24, the priest celebrated ‘Simbang Araw at Gabi’ masses in Taichung. On Christmas Eve, the Ugnayan choir organized a highly successful musical show at the Tanzi Auditorium in central Taiwan.

A Christmas party for OFWs was also held at the Chungyuan Christian University in Chungli City in northern Taiwan on December 27, said Carlo Aquino, head of MECO’s Assistance to Nationals Section.

The party, called ‘Paskong Pinoy 2009,’ featured a hiphop dance competition and ‘Gandang Pinay 2009.’ Comedian Norman Mitchell also wowed the crowd with his performance. The party was supported by the Federation of Filipino Communities in Taiwan, Taiwan Mobile, Western Union, LBC and JICC.

The Taipei community associations that actively took part in the festivities included Aguman Kapampangan, Bicol Association, Confederation of Ilocano Association, Cordillera Organization in Taiwan, Filipinos Married to Taiwanese, Hsinchuang Filipino Community, Ilan Filipino Community, KaSaPi, Migranteng Ilonggo in Taiwan, OFW Family Club, Overseas Workers Bowlers Association, Philippine Guardian Brotherhood Inc, Pundok Bisaya International, Samahang Makata International and United VisMin Association.

In central Taiwan, several Taichung-based organizations including 24-K Brothers and Sisters Association, Association of the People of Bikol, Cordillera Overseas Filipino Workers Association, El Shaddai Taichung Cell Group, Filipino Brotherhood Organization, Kapisanang Pilipino sa Taiwan, Legion of Mary, Puso Alay sa Dalita, Samahan ng Manggagawang Pilipino ng SOLAS and Samahang Makata International-Taichung.