02/07/2026
๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ด๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐๐น๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ
Quezon City and Taipei City share more than geographic distance. They share a formal bond as sister cities, a partnership that has opened doors for meaningful exchange across institutions and communities. It is through this connection that the Maryknoll-Miriam Identity, Spirituality, and Mission Office (MMISMO) of Miriam College was linked by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) to the Department of Youth of the Taipei City Government, giving rise to a program that would bring cultures, communities, and hearts together: Bridging Cultures Through Heart and Service.
Held from June 27 to 28, 2026, the program brought together Taiwanese volunteers, partner community leaders, and Lingkod Mag-aaral (LM) student volunteers of MMISMO for two days of cultural exchange, community immersion, and shared service. The program aimed to promote cross-cultural understanding, foster collaboration through dialogue and shared experience, and offer Taiwanese volunteers a window into urban community life in Quezon City.
The Taiwanese volunteers arrived on June 26, settling into Miriam College's Residence Hall before the program formally opened the following morning.
Day 1 set the tone for everything that followed. Held at the Miriam College ESI and SDTEC Kitchen, the day opened with a welcome from the MMISMO Office and a talk by Dr. Vicky Narciso-Apuan, beloved Gurong Lingkod volunteer, who spoke on "Volunteerism Beyond Borders: How Service Connects Communities Across Cultures." Her words grounded the gathering in a shared conviction that service, at its core, is an act of love that transcends borders.
The Taiwanese volunteers then took the floor, leading participants through an introduction to Taiwanese culture, traditional games, and a spirited Mandarin language challenge. Laughter filled the room as Filipino community leaders and student volunteers attempted basic Mandarin phrases, while their Taiwanese counterparts gamely engaged with Filipino games including Hep Hep Hooray and Bring Me. The afternoon moved to the SDTEC Kitchen, where Taiwanese volunteers taught participants how to prepare traditional Taiwanese desserts, a hands-on, delicious testament to the idea that food is among the most powerful bridges between cultures.
Day 2 took the group beyond the campus walls and into Pook Libis, one of Miriam College's partner urban poor communities. Participants were welcomed by community leaders who oriented them on the community's history, programs, and ongoing initiatives. A guided community walk allowed volunteers and student leaders to engage directly with local residents, listening to their stories and seeing their lives up close. In the afternoon, the Taiwanese volunteers facilitated three sessions for fifty children from the community: Digital Safety Defenders, Eye Defense Mission, and A Better World Beyond Screens, equipping young participants with practical knowledge on digital safety and responsible screen use. The day closed with a ceremony, the awarding of certificates, and a token exchange that captured the warmth and mutual appreciation that had grown over the course of the program.
By June 29, as the Taiwanese volunteers prepared for their departure, what remained was not simply the memory of activities completed, but the relationships formed, the stories exchanged, and the understanding deepened between people who, days earlier, had been strangers.
Bridging Cultures Through Heart and Service reflects the continuing growth of MMISMO's partnerships beyond the Miriam College community. From its longstanding ties with urban poor communities in Quezon City to its emerging connections with international youth organizations and government bodies, MMISMO continues to expand its reach, building bridges not only between communities, but between nations. This program stands as a testament to what becomes possible when institutions open their doors, and when young people are trusted to lead with both heart and purpose.
