A Journey To One's Roots

“It’s an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life,” exclaimed Marijoy Ong about her recent trip to Taiwan along with other Filipino-Chinese youth for the 2008 Visit Taiwan Tour. The Visit Taiwan Tour is an annual activity of the Dynamic Youth of the Philippines. The Cebu Chapter sent its first group of delegates in 1954 and has since been participating in what could be described as a journey to one’s roots.

The Organization

The Dynamic Youth of Cebu is a local chapter of the nationwide organization guided by Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s Three Principles of Democracy, to create and develop a prosperous and harmonious community by:

• uniting Filipino-Chinese youths;

• strengthening the organization’s community service;

• inculcating cultural heritage; and

• developing camaraderie through sports and recreation.

The organization aims to initiate community service through unification of Filipino-Chinese youths and to inculcate cultural heritage through education and development programs that will promote the five virtues in the youth  (i.e. moral, intellectual, physical, cooperation and appreciation for beauty).

The Annual Tour

The Visit Taiwan Tour brings a Filipino-Chinese youths on a 21-day journey that looked into the past and is an adventure in modern day Taiwan. The minimum requirement to be a part of what could be a life-changing trip is simply for one to be able to claim Chinese ancestry and to be in the 18 to 27 age range. This year’s tour stretched from May 3 to 23, a total of 21 days of learning, discovery and amazement to its participants.

The main purpose of the tour is to orient new generation Chinese descendants on the history and culture of Taiwan and to promote awareness of the country’s progress and achievements. This year’s activity kicked off with a lecture on the Development of Taiwan’s Economy and brought the participants to marvel at the tallest building on the planet today, Taipei 101. After rousing their pride in the accomplishments of the country, the youth were then regaled with the rich history and culture that paved the way for its development. The group toured museums, art centers, universities and parks. They also spent some time rummaging through the night markets and exploring the major cities of Taiwan. They also visited some industries and got to observe the timeless traditions of tea making and silk weaving. But what they found unforgettable was the visit to the Hua Tung East Coast Scenic Area that allowed them to walk on the Dragon Bridge and feel the breeze of the South China Sea on their faces. Highlight of this year’s trip was the prestigious invitation to the Taiwan National Congress for the Reception Dinner of the Inauguration of His Excellency Ma Ying Jeou, the newly elected president of Taiwan. The delegates were so honored to participate in such a historic event.

Home during the tour was the Chien Tan Overseas Youth Activity Center which they described as a dormitory with hotel standards accommodation. And since they moved from one city to another, they were billeted in similar accommodations. To most of the participants, it was the first time to travel without their parents. And although they initially felt scared, they welcomed the chance to be able to display their independence. The trip meant being responsible for oneself. They found out that it could be exciting taking care of everything from their health and making decisions down to the laundry to make sure fresh clean clothes are always available throughout the trip.

The Ties that Bind

Past participants describe the tour as an experience that they will treasure forever. They leave for Taiwan as strangers armed with excitement and energy for the new experience that lie ahead and they come home with hearts full of fond memories and an address book populated with new friends they met on the journey. Marijoy Ong observed that the tour has made her better understand her ancestry, “the tour was like a bridge that linked what we learned from books and what is really happening in Taiwan. All of a sudden everything becomes so real and it fills us with pride.” Derek Go, president of Dynamic Youth (Cebu Chapter), who joined the tour in 1991, declares that the friends he met on the tour are some of his closest buddies until today. Robert Tiu, another officer of the organization first met his wife Beth during the tour. They continued their friendship when they returned to Cebu and it blossomed into a beautiful relationship that became a lifetime partnership.

Cebu in the Spotlight

Adding more fun to the experience is the cultural night where the participants showcased their Filipino heritage as well. At this year’s cultural night Cebu is proud to have won the Best Presentation Award. And this is not the first time. Cebu is known to shine and excel in this arena even in the past tours making them the contingent to beat.

Looking Ahead

It has been more than 50 years since the Dynamic Youth Cebu Chapter sent its first batch to the Visit Taiwan Tour. It takes pride in having given the Filipino-Chinese youth the distinctive opportunity to act as ambassadors of goodwill to continually foster the ties between Taiwan and the Philippines. Today, the organization welcomes all Filipino-Chinese youth to take part in this enriching experience. Interested parties may simply get in touch with the Dynamic Youth office at 2562676 to get more information about the tour.