Taiwan Supports Philippine Educators with Cultural Training on Dragon Boat Festival Traditions
Participants and organizers pose for a group photo after the Dragon Boat Festival cultural workshop in Manila.
Strengthening cultural education and people-to-people ties, Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), in partnership with the Culture Center of T.E.C.O. in the Philippines, conducted a hands-on cultural workshop on April 18 aimed at equipping school teachers with innovative teaching resources rooted in traditional culture.
Titled “Dragon Boat Festival Cultural Workshop: Mugwort Craft and Wellness Experience,” the program was held in Manila and drew more than 30 educators from various schools. The event combined cultural lectures with interactive activities, offering participants a deeper appreciation of the traditions surrounding the Dragon Boat Festival, one of the most significant celebrations in Taiwanese and broader Asian heritage.
Speaking at the opening, Center Director Eric Po-chih Chuang emphasized the importance of integrating both theory and practice in cultural education. He noted that the training aims to help teachers better understand the cultural meaning behind traditional festivals and translate these into engaging classroom experiences for students.
“By bringing culture into everyday learning, we not only strengthen students’ language skills but also deepen their connection to heritage and values,” Chuang said.
He also highlighted OCAC’s digital platform, the HuayuWorld website (https://www.huayuworld.org/), which provides a wide range of free teaching materials, training videos, and cultural resources for educators worldwide. Teachers were encouraged to maximize these tools to enhance Mandarin instruction and cultural literacy in their respective schools.
The workshop featured guest instructor Huang Ting-Ting, a faculty member from Grace Christian College, who guided participants through the cultural significance of mugwort (Artemisia), a plant traditionally associated with protection, wellness, and blessings during the Dragon Boat Festival.
Huang explained that beyond dragon boat races and rice dumplings, mugwort plays an essential role in traditional practices, symbolizing health and warding off negative energy. Participants learned about its historical background, medicinal properties, and practical uses in daily life.
A highlight of the session was the hands-on activity, where teachers crafted their own “mugwort massage hammer”—a traditional wellness tool believed to promote circulation and relaxation. Using dried mugwort and herbal materials wrapped in cloth, participants created functional items that also carry symbolic meaning.
Participants engage in a hands-on session, crafting traditional mugwort massage tools.
Huang also shared strategies on how to incorporate cultural elements into classroom teaching through experiential learning and creative activities. By using storytelling, hands-on crafts, and contextual teaching, she said, educators can make cultural lessons more relatable and engaging for students.
Participants expressed strong appreciation for the program, describing it as both informative and highly practical. Many noted that the workshop provided ready-to-use teaching approaches that can be immediately applied in their classrooms, while also enhancing their own understanding of traditional culture.
The event concluded with the presentation of a certificate of appreciation to Huang by Director Chuang, recognizing her contribution and dedication. The program ended on a warm note, with active exchanges and sharing among participants, reflecting a growing interest in cultural education initiatives supported by Taiwan.
The initiative is part of OCAC’s ongoing efforts to support overseas communities and partner schools by providing quality Mandarin education resources, teacher training, and cultural programs—further strengthening Taiwan-Philippines educational cooperation and cultural exchange.
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
