On 9 October 2025, Ambassador Wallace Minn-Gan Chow, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines, hosted a Reception in celebration of the 114th National Day of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Over 600 guests attended the celebration.
Among the distinguished guests were Secretary General of the House of Representatives Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, Chairperson of Commission on Higher Education Shirley Agrupis, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Janette Garin, Former National Security Advisor Hermogenes Esperon, Former Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Former Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Former Deputy Speaker and currently Director of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) Rose Marie Arenas and MECO Director Wilson Tecson, among others.
Ambassador Chow proudly shared Taiwan’s internationally acclaimed achievements over the past year and underscored the growing and ever-closer relations between Taiwan and the Philippines. He highlighted several milestones, including the Philippine government’s decision to grant 14-day visa-free entry for Taiwanese travelers effective this July, which is a gesture of friendship that mirrors Taiwan’s visa-free policy for Filipinos since 2017. Another milestone was the visit of Taiwan’s largest-ever Investment and Trade Delegation to the Philippines this August, representing critical industries from ICT, semiconductors, and energy to smart agriculture, underscoring both countries’ determination to pursue win-win cooperation and shared prosperity.
Ambassador Chow further emphasized that the delegation’s visit aimed to promote the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor, linking with the Luzon Economic Corridor to form an expanded economic zone connecting southern Taiwan and northern Luzon. “With Taiwan’s technological strengths and the Philippines’ abundant talent pool, we are confident that this cooperation will foster secure, ‘non-red’ global supply chains that uphold technological advancement and democratic values,” he stated.
Ambassador Chow also conveyed the Taiwan government’s appreciation for a statement made by President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) this August, in which the President reaffirmed the Philippines’ steadfast position on the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. PBBM also rightly emphasized that Taiwan and the Philippines are deeply connected, not only by geographic proximity, but also by strong people-to-people ties.
Ambassador Chow stressed that both Taiwan and the Philippines face shared challenges, particularly China’s aggressive maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the West Philippine Sea. The authoritarian Chinese Communist Party regime continues to employ “gray-zone” tactics, including spreading online disinformation, distorting historical facts, interfering in elections, and applying economic coercion to influence and infiltrate democratic societies around the world, including Taiwan and the Philippines.
One notable example is China’s deliberate misuse of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, falsely claiming that the resolution authorizes China to represent Taiwan in the UN system. In reality, Ambassador Chow emphasized, the resolution only addresses China’s representation issue and does not recognize Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. China’s distortion aims to erase the objective reality that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign country and to obstruct Taiwan’s legitimate right to participate in the United Nations and its related agencies.
Even amid the National Day celebration, Taiwan’s thoughts and prayers were with those affected by the recent powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake in Cebu Province. Ambassador Chow extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and affirmed that Taiwan stands ready to provide any support and assistance needed for Cebu’s recovery and relief efforts.
Ambassador Chow further stated, Taiwan government will donate US$200,000 first through MECO to the Cebu Provincial government. The donation aims to help affected families rebuild their homes and accelerate reconstruction efforts. This contribution marks the first phase of Taiwan’s assistance to the Philippines, with additional relief materials to follow.
MECO Officer-in-Charge Director Corazon Padiernos conveyed her congratulations to Taiwan through a pre-recorded video message, expressing warm greetings on the occasion of the National Day. Senator Risa Hontiveros also sent a special recorded message to extend her appreciation for Taiwan’s assistance to the victims of the Cebu earthquake and to reaffirm her firm support for the enduring friendship between Taiwan and the Philippines.
The event featured a special performance by Taiwan’s internationally acclaimed Longtan Philharmonic Orchestra, which delighted the audience with Hakka-inspired music and the Filipino classic Anak. The reception concluded in a warm and cordial atmosphere, celebrating the deep-rooted friendship, shared democratic values, and ever-strengthening partnership between Taiwan and the Philippines.
Ambassador Chow celebrated Taiwan National Day with Philippine Dignitaries (2025.10.09)
Ambassador Chow delivered a speech at the National Day Reception (2025.10.09)
House Representative Secretary General Cheloy Garafil joined Ambassador Chow at the National Day Reception(2025.10.09)
Congratulatory message from Senator Risa Hontiveros (2025.10.09)
Congratulatory message from the Officer-in-Charge Director Corazon Padiernos of Manila Economic and Cultural Office (2025.10.09)
Cake-cutting Ceremony at the National Day Reception (2025.10.09)
