Philippine Officials Stationed in Taiwan Visited the Christmas Event Reminds Them of Their Hometown

The theme day event of “Exhibition of Christmas in the Philippines” was currently organized in Chiayi City. Lin, Jia-Wei, the director of Department of Social Affairs, Chiayi City Government gave a reception for the delegation led by Lai, Ai-Ren, director of Kaohsiung Extension Office, Manila Economic and Cultural Office. In addition to introducing the services provided by the Women's Center and the New Immigrant Service Center, he also promoted a series of exciting activities of Chiayi International Band Festival to the distinguished guests.

Lai, Ai-Ren chatted with the Filipino new immigrants about the memories of his hometown at the exhibition. He said with a smile that he misses home because he saw a lot of things from hometown which he is familiar with at the exhibition.

This December special exhibition is curated by Filipino new immigrants Huang, Jing-Jing and Lou, Dai-Na. For Filipinos, Christmas is like the Chinese New Year for Taiwanese, the Philippines has the world’s longest Christmas celebration. From September to January of the next year, four months in total which develops very different festival cultures from the Philippines.

The Chiayi City Government has established a "Service Center for New Immigrant" to offer new immigrants a network of support, numerous welfare services, and the opportunity to arrange themed events specific to their nations, such the Filipino Christmas cultural exhibition. A wide range of services have also been established, including interpretation services, regular care visits, welfare consultations, and professional social worker services, so that new immigrants of different nationalities can feel at home and consider Chiayi City their hometown while integrating all age groups to share and livable for generations.