Selflessly donating relief supplies: Philippine Representative Bienvenido Tejano: 'I’m truly grateful to the Taiwanese people!'

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin / Taipei

The Philippine Department of Tourism’s Taipei Office held a 'Soaring Like a Horse, Leaping Like a Tiger' appreciation spring banquet on the 7th at Taipei’s Brother Hotel, inviting industry peers, airlines, and media to attend. Philippine Representative to Taiwan Bienvenido Tejano was also present and emotionally stated during his opening speech: 'I’m really very grateful to the Taiwanese people.'

Last year was a tough year for the Philippines, hit by strong earthquakes and super typhoons, which also affected the country’s tourism market. During his speech, Tejano said that especially after Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, the Philippine Department of Tourism’s Taipei Office immediately received relief supplies sent from various parts of Taiwan, totaling as much as two metric tons. Tejano said that after he personally escorted the first batch of supplies to Cebu and then returned to Taiwan, he was deeply moved and impressed to see several more metric tons of supplies waiting for him. He repeatedly said: 'I really want to thank the Taiwanese people.'


▲ Philippine Representative to Taiwan Bienvenido Tejano (center), emotionally expressed his gratitude to the Taiwanese people during his speech and presented appreciation certificates to the Chairman of the Republic of China Travel Agents Association Hsu Yung-hsiang, as well as to the tourism and airline industries. (Photo provided by reporter)

Regarding the development of tourism in 2014, the Director of the Philippine Department of Tourism’s Taipei Office, Raul Reyes, is optimistic and hopes to match the 200,000-plus visitor arrivals seen in 2012. Reyes also sang the Taiwanese Hokkien song 'Hard Work Wins' together with colleagues from the Philippine Department of Tourism, demonstrating the country’s determination to revive its tourism market this year.