Filipino Visitors in Taiwan Increase at a Double Rate in 2018

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Taiwan is looking to boost its economy through tourism sales and the last year has seen the nation attract a good number of them – with Filipino visitors making the largest chunk of it.

Taiwan is located near China and is known for its beautiful modern cities as well as great night markets, hot springs and Chinese temples. It often features on a traveler’s itinerary when they visit China, but the small nation, with a population of less than 24 million didn’t fare as great to its Chinese counterparts when it came to tourist inflow. Now, Taiwan aims to change just that with more partnerships with other nations.

Now, there might be a good many reasons for you to visit Taiwan. While you may not be able to try out low stakes gambling, you would love the Taiwanese culture, as many tourists would testify.

A Look at Taiwan Tourism

All that might change soon though as Taiwan aims to divert more tourists to this part of Mainland China. Taiwan is expected to have an immense increase in the Filipino tourists in the year 2018 which might go up to 300,000. The reason behind this huge increment of tourism in Taiwan is due the free visa policy which was introduced last year between Taiwan and Philippines. This policy was introduced in order to cover up the loss to the Taiwan tourism industry because of the decline in Chinese tourists.

This decline in Chinese visitors is a result of unstable political relationship between the two countries. After the Presidential election in May 2016, the newly elected President Tsai Ing-wen had refused to accept Taiwan as a part of ‘One China’. Other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand have also got the benefits of ease in visa restrictions.

What’s Happening since 2017?

The policy in question was introduced in November 2017. The tourists in the last quarter of 2017 almost doubled as compared to the last quarter of 2016, it went up from 52,000 to 90,000 According to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) it has went up from 172,475 in 2016 to 290,784 in 2017 which is an increase of 68.59%. The average quarterly tourism is expected to be 90,000.

A Look at How Philippines is Driving the Tourism Growth

In 2018, the expected tourists from Philippines is expected to be around 300,000. The free visa policy is about to end on July 31, as it was introduced in a trial period for nine-months. Filipino tourists can visit Taiwan and stay there for 14 days as a result of this policy. Apart from free visa policy, new air routes have also been introduced between the two countries.

Talks are being held between TECO and Manila Economic and Cultural Office regarding the extension of this policy as this a great opportunity for both countries to know each other well. Have you visited China or Taiwan yet? Do you think your China trip will also include a visit to Taiwan? Let us know in the comments below!

Synergize: CMLI Launches First-ever Summit

Wazzup Pilipinas!

With the intention of renewing its commitment to serve God and the nation for the past 60 years, the Children’s Museum and Library, Inc. (CMLI), introduces its first-ever SYNERGIZE: CMLI Youth Leadership Summit to be held at Colegio San Agustin – Biñan on July 13 – 15, 2018.

In line with this, the CMLI Junior Council – National Executive Board (JC-NEB) 2018 Batch Salinlahi are calling on Junior and Senior High School students from both public and private schools to take part in this three-day summit composed of talks, workshops, team building activities, and the organization’s trademark commission discussions.

The CMLI Youth Leadership Summit will revolve around the theme of “Embrace Diversity and SHINE: Sustaining a Harmonious Impact towards Nation-building and Excellence.” Through this endeavor, the JC-NEB 2018 aims to help the student delegates enhance their leadership qualities and ignite their desire to serve the nation through developing their professionalism, critical thinking, and open-mindedness.

Moreover, the summit would also serve as an avenue for the participants to engage in creative cooperation and forge potential collaboration with their fellow students through participating in relevant discourse about current issues that the country is facing.

The event will have a registration fee of ₱2000 that is inclusive of the SYNERGIZE souvenir kit, and lunch and afternoon snacks for the entire duration of the summit. Students may view the invitation package at tinyurl.com/SYNERGIZE2018 and pre-register at tinyurl.com/CMLISynergize.

For any inquiries or concerns, you may contact Carmella Gabriel, Vice President (0956 052 8578) or Angel Lucas, Assistant Secretary (0947 518 6020).  You may also contact the CMLI Secretariat through 924-2304 or cmlijcneb2018@gmail.com. For more information and updates about the upcoming summit, you may visit CMLI’s Facebook page or follow CMLI’s Twitter account.

New York Asian Film Festival 2018 Features Fresh Breed of Filipino Films

Wazzup Pilipinas!

This year, an incredible lineup of six Filipino films will be screened competing in the 2018 edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) beginning on June 29, 2018. This is double the number of competing Filipino features last year. 

For years, NYAFF has brought pieces of Philippine cinema to the West, opening the minds and captivating the senses of the Western audience with our own cinematic vision.

The following six (6) Filipino films be represented in NFYAFF - BuyBust directed by Erik Matti, Neomanila directed by Mikhail Red, On the Job directed by Erik Matti, Respeto directed by Treb Monteras II, Sid & Aya (Not a Love Story) directed by Irene Villamor, and We Will Not Die Tonight by Richard Somes.

Three (3) films have already earned nominations, and received accolades from prominent award-giving bodies in the Philippines, as well as other countries, namely Neomanila, On the Job, and Respeto – all of which illustrate the Philippines in an engrossing manner that sees artistic integrity drawing power from realism and grit. 

Meanwhile, BuyBust, an action-thriller will make its world premiere at NYFF, giving the world a first look at esteemed filmmaker Erik Matti’s hotly anticipated action film alongside Richard Somes’ explosive genre piece, We Will Not Die Tonight, which will also be having its world premiere at the said event. On the other hand, Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story) has received positive reviews from film critics all over the Philippines where it was praised for its non-conformity to conventions, and a captivating allure brought about by Irene Villamor’s filmmaking.

Representatives of the Filipino films will be supported by the FDCP’s International Film Festival Assistance Program (IFFAP), including Gawad Urian Best Actor, Abra of Respeto, producer Dondon Monteverde and directors Richard Somes, Treb Monteras II and Erik Matti. 

“All around the world, Filipino films continue to compete and be recognized by the most prestigious of film festivals and we are proud that NYAFF is doing its part in introducing Filipino Films - genre Filipino films especially - to the North American audience. We hope that this is the first step for more of our films to be recognized and distributed in that side of the world. We wish our delegates the best of luck,” said Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño.

The 17th New York Asian Film Festival in New York City, USA runs from June 29, 2018 to July 15, 2018.