Taiwan’s ‘Project Ligaya’ brings fun, gifts to Bulacan orphans

BUSTOS, BULACAN, Philippines — Seven-year-old Maria (not her real name) beamed with joy as she clutched her new toy and tote bag containing a set of coloring pencils, notebooks and other school supplies.

She and more than 200 other orphans in this province were treated to an afternoon of fun and gifts on July 6. They were among the beneficiaries of Taiwan’s “Project Ligaya,” a charitable effort by the Taiwanese government and various private groups.

Shirleen Hsieh, project organizer and international youth goodwill ambassador of the Overseas Community Affairs Council in the Philippines, told the Inquirer that the project’s aim was to promote Taiwan globally, assist children in need and showcase Taiwanese business groups in the Philippines. These groups voluntarily contributed to the project and helped organize the event.

Deputy Minister Dustin T. S. Yang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, who led the event at Bahay at Yaman ni San Martin de Porres Inc. Orphanage in Bonga Menor village, emphasized that one way to promote Taiwan is by giving back and recognizing the kindness that the Taiwanese people have received.

‘Unforgettable’ visit

The children came from Willing Hearts Orphanage in Sta. Maria town, Bethany House Sto. Niño Orphanage and Philippine Children’s Mission in Balagtas town, and Bahay at Yaman and Nazareth Home for Children in this municipality.

“I am very happy. I have many coloring pencils, a bag, notebooks, and a lot of school supplies. We also played Taiwanese games and toys,” Maria, who is from Bethany House, told the Inquirer in Filipino.

A 13-year-old orphan from Bahay at Yaman described the visit by the Taiwanese as “unforgettable.”

“They taught us how to make paper lanterns, which we will also do at Christmas. We also got to taste Taiwanese food and learned that milk tea originated from Taiwan,” she said.

The girl, who is in Grade 6, expressed interest in applying for a scholarship, which Taiwan regularly offers to Filipino students.

Culture, heritage

Hsieh—a Taiwanese born and raised in the Philippines who hails from a family with a feed mix company in Bulacan—conducted a short lecture for the children in Filipino, promoting the culture and heritage of Taiwan and highlighting its similarities with the Philippines.

She noted that both the Taiwanese indigenous group Amis and Filipinos use “lima” for five, “pito” for seven, and “mata” for eye. Anthropologists, after all, have noted the Austronesian roots of Taiwan and the Philippines. Another indigenous group, the Paiwan, use “ina” for mother and “itay” for father.

The children were introduced to Taiwanese culture through its traditional games, as they played folk toys such as diabolo yoyo, pinball, poking lotto, kaleidoscopes, bamboo dragons and ring toss and games such as bottle standing and ping pong ball tossing.

They were also taught how to make paper lanterns and were served Taiwanese food, including dumplings, meatballs, mantou with condensed milk, tea, Taiwanese chips and taho.

Project Ligaya also provided the five orphanages with P50,000 each, as well as electric fans, mosquito repellents, tissue rolls and laundry detergents.