OFWs honored in Taiwan

MANILA, Philippines – For their dedication and exemplary work, five overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were named among 10 most outstanding foreign workers in Taiwan, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said.

MECO said the Taichung City Government’s Bureau of Labor Affairs will honor Cesar Layson Guinto, Realin Orlina Lobina, Paul Jurie Estaris Touquillo and Marivic Dela Cruz Balon, all employees of leading flat-panel display maker AU Optronics Corp., and Janet Yaranon Baldicanas, a caregiver, on June 21 at the Tantzu Elementary School Stadium in Taichung, a city on the west coast of central Taiwan. 

Three Filipino groups – the Filipino Brotherhood Organization, 24K and Solas – will also be honored for outstanding community service.

The recognition rites are part of the numerous activities prepared by MECO for the 90,000 OFWs in Taiwan in celebration of the Philippines’ 111th Independence Day.

Antonio Basilio, MECO resident representative and managing director, said the celebrations will be held today and on June 21 in three key cities in northern and central Taiwan.

Basilio said a festival of dance and music will be held in Taoyuan Stadium in Taoyuan City in northern Taiwan today, followed by a celebration in Taichung in central Taiwan on June 21, highlighted by the recognition of outstanding Filipino workers and associations.

“We are extremely mindful of the difficult times that our country and the rest of the world are going through. However, despite tough economic times, we believe it is still important that we all come together and show the world just how proud we are of our Filipino heritage. Together, we can be a positive force within our community and help move our country forward,” Basilio said, adding that they are able to put together an inspiring Independence Day program through the support of various Filipino community associations in Taiwan.

“This is tangible proof of the team spirit that is alive within our community. We’re calling on all OFWs in Taiwan to come to the event, and make it their own,” he said.

The June 12 Independence Day cocktail reception was held in the southern port city of Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second largest and fastest growing metropolis.

Basilio revealed that more than 65 percent of the shipment of Philippine goods by sea to North America passes through the Kaohsiung port, and that over 30,000 Filipinos work in the area, with the majority employed in the manufacturing industry.

Gracing the reception were Taiwan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrew Li-Yan Hsia, representatives from the international community and other dignitaries. It showcased performances by Filipino talents such as tenor Vicente Fortunato Moran of the Taipei Philharmonic Foundation for Culture and Education and the world-renowned Bayanihan Dancers.