The Taiwan Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) brought a spectacular celebration of artistry and friendship to Manila through its 2026 Lunar New Year Goodwill Mission Asia Tour, featuring the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe of the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts.
Held at the historic University of Santo Tomas (UST), one of Asia’s oldest universities with more than 400 years of academic tradition, the performance drew around 500 attendees, including members of the Taiwanese community, overseas compatriots, representatives of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), and UST faculty and students.
Under the theme “The Vibrant Taiwan,” the program unfolded in four segments — “Origins,” “The First Light,” “Y2K Heartbeat: The Sound of the Future,” and “Glimmering City, Artistic Taiwan.” The production blended traditional acrobatics with violin performance, contemporary dance, and multimedia digital imagery, presenting a dynamic portrait of Taiwan’s creativity and cultural vitality.
Audiences were thrilled by gravity-defying feats including diabolo spinning, plate juggling, tumbling, cycling stunts, and aerial acrobatics, drawing repeated applause and admiration throughout the show.
In his remarks, Representative Wallace Minn-Gan Chow of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines said the goodwill mission reflects Taiwan’s commitment to cultural diplomacy.
“Through performances like this, we share the joy of the Lunar New Year while deepening people-to-people connections between Taiwan and the Philippines,” he said. “Culture is a powerful bridge that strengthens mutual understanding and friendship.”
Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, OP, EHL, Secretary General of the University of Santo Tomas, welcomed the Taiwan delegation and emphasized UST’s commitment to fostering global partnerships through education and culture. He noted that hosting the Philippine–Taiwan Night reflects the university’s dedication to intercultural dialogue and academic cooperation, strengthening ties between Filipino and Taiwanese communities.
Director Brigitte D. Villaluz of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) also conveyed her appreciation for the continued cultural exchanges between the Philippines and Taiwan. She underscored the importance of people-to-people connections in enhancing mutual understanding and reaffirmed MECO’s support for initiatives that promote friendship and collaboration between the two sides.
Head of delegation Yi-chuan Yang noted that the production required more than three months of preparation, integrating traditional skills, live music, and digital stage design to present Taiwan’s artistic soft power to international audiences.
Founded in 1990, the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe of the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts is currently Taiwan’s only government professional acrobatic arts and stunt performance group. Its members, composed of young performers who have undergone more than eight years of rigorous training, are proficient in a wide range of acrobatic techniques and forms. Known for their vigor, elegance, grace, and refined artistic skills, the troupe has performed extensively across Taiwan and its offshore islands.
The troupe has also been frequently invited by the government to represent Taiwan overseas, earning enthusiastic responses and critical acclaim in numerous countries. Through its performances, the group has played a key role in promoting traditional folk arts and advancing international cultural exchange.
The Manila performance also featured cultural exchange presentations by the UST Junior High School Glee Club and the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, highlighting the longstanding partnership between Taiwan and UST.
The February 27 event at the Frassati Auditorium was organized in partnership with TECO in the Philippines, the Taiwan Overseas Community Affairs Council, the Philippine Taiwanese Community Joint Preparatory Committee, and the University of Santo Tomas through its Office of Public Affairs.
Also in attendance were Director Wilson U. Tecson of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO); OCAC Council Members Huang Ya-Hui, Jaime Tan, and Chiang Fu-Long; Eric Chuang, Director of the Culture Center of T.E.C.O. in the Philippines; and Deputy Director Florian Chien of the Culture Center of T.E.C.O. in the Philippines.
Organizers expressed hope that continued collaboration between Taiwan and Philippine institutions will further expand educational, artistic, and cultural exchanges in the years ahead, reinforcing the enduring friendship between the two peoples.
