THE REPUBLIC of China, commonly known as Taiwan, recently celebrated its centennial anniversary as an independent nation last June 29 and chose the Miguel de Benavides Library as one of the venues in celebrating the milestone.
The Miguel de Benavides Library hosted a photo exhibit titled Retracing Our Steps: A Photo Journey through 100 years of the ROC, which unveiled 20 photographs recounting Taiwan’s independence from China.
Manila Mayor and UST High School alumnus Alfredo Lim said that these events promote harmony between the two countries.
Vice Rector Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P. described having good relations between two countries as “godlike.”
“The Philippines and Taiwan have so much to share and so much to learn in terms of goodwill and common sense,” said Tiong.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Ambassador Donald Lee added that the exhibit also shows the importance of globalization, saying that it “gives more insights to other nation’s landscape, culture and people.”
Global News Network (GNN) president and CEO Philip Chien led the signing of the memorandum of agreement between UST and GNN.
Lee, Tiong and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs and Research Clarita Carillo, joined Chien in signing the agreement that aims not only to improve research and development, but strengthen ties between UST and Taiwan as well.
In addition, Chien said that five scholarship grants will be given to deserving students in the University.
Central Student Council President Lorraine Taguiam commented that the relationship between the two countries could further enhance academic researches.
The celebration also featured four movies illustrating the vibrancy of Taiwanese cinema.
One of the movies, titled “Kung-Fu Dunk,” tells the story of a martial arts student who accidentally stumbles upon his latent basketball skills.
“Pinoy Sunday,” starring Bayani Agbayani and Jeffrey Quizon, showed how two overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in Taiwan found camaraderie after stumbling upon a red couch during their day-off. The film was also the opening for the 12th CineManila International Film Festival last December.
Tearjerker “Our Islands, Our Dreams,” tells the story about the unexpected romance that developed after two young friends got attracted to their long time girl friend but a soldier suddenly arrived in the island and wooed the girl that later triggers a happenstance on the girl’s memories.
“Cape No. 7,” is drama-comedy film that revolves around seven love letters that a Taiwanese teacher wrote to his new-found lover in Japan. After 60 years the letters were found by an aspiring rock-musician that in turn develops a relationship with a Japanese pop singer wherein the pop singer reads the letters on one of the rock-musician’s shows.
