The Untold Colorful Life of the Filipino Migrants in Taiwan “ASTIGAN 1st”

The Untold Colorful Life of the Filipino Migrants in Taiwan “ASTIGAN 1st 2022”

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

Where it all began?

In every success stories, failure is present always, piling up, creating a stair, one by one, towards the impossible dream. In Taiwan, more and more foreign workers are realizing their aspirations through hardwork, perseverance and diligence. The story of ASTIGAN 1st E-BIKE Show is among those untold colorful life of the Filipino Migrants that made an impossible, possible.

In my 15 years of living in Taiwan, I could say that I have witnessed the evolution of the Filipino community here. In these recent years, the younger generation showed me how bold, aggressive and assertive they are in order to pursue their dreams.

And with the younger Filipino Migrants and residents in Taiwan, born the historic E-BIKE show that was held in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. It is undoubtedly historic because as I have clearly stated, I have been living here in Taiwan for a decade and a half and it is indeed the very first time for a FILIPINO MIGRANT WORKER to come up with this kind of activity.

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

The Organizers

During my one on one interview with Dj Christian, I could see his burning passion reflecting from his persona. He was full of spirit, jolly and ecstatic while sharing his inspiration in producing this first ever E-BIKE SHOW organized by a Filipino Migrant in Taiwan. He was also emotional because in the same event, he was neglected, denied, doubted and belittled. It was one of the hardest part of this E-bike show.

Despite all the naysayers, Christian used his resourcefulness and background in organizing events to be able to find the right partners, sponsors and collaborators that made ASTIGAN 1st happen with great success.

When asked about his message to the people who like him, was being discouraged in pursuing their dreams, Christian uttered these words with all honesty, “Believe that you can even if at one point in your life you feel no one does. I believed in myself while accepting all the pain of being left in the middle and it has been the reason why little by little, more and more people believed in my cause.”

Finally, I was able to meet the genius behind the sexy ramp and the partner in crime of Dj Christian Kalalo. According to Christian, he wouldn’t have done it without Jerwin. In time when no one believed in him, Jerwin was the YES Man. He didn’t ask about how they would meet the financial demands, he was there, doing the fantastic job for ASTIGAN 1st E BIKE Show.

As a media personality here in Taiwan, I have been to several pageants and fashion shows organized by foreign workers and residents but the introduction of a Victoria Secret-ish fashion show with the Live Band serenading the candidates, made the Sexy Ramp over the top.

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

What is ASTIGAN 1st?

Astigan 1st is Octoberfest inspired event that is typical in the Philippines. Filipino people would gather in a big crowd with live band and booze. However in Astigan, Christian Kalalo made a twist by adding the highlight of the charitable event, the E-BIKE show. When asked about why he chose “E-BIKE” as the main event, he added that since then, prior to his employment in Taiwan, he has been doing and joining motor shows in his hometown.

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

Christian Kalalo called it “ASTIGAN” because this word means “swag”. As a young man, he knows that there are a lot of Filipino men in Taiwan who like swag too. They might have that kind of “cool guys aka bad boys” get together from time to time but for Christian, ASTIGAN will mark a history of COOL FILIPINOS with a Cause, and that is to help the beneficiaries in the Philippines with cerebral palsy.

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

Why is “ASTIGAN 1st E-BIKE SHOW” a Charitable Event?

Aside from the head organizers, group leaders or admins, partners, collaborators and performers, the sponsors helped a lot in making ASTIGAN a historic event. There were so many believers and supporters including brands owned by foreign workers too.

The Untold Colorful Life of the Filipino Migrants in Taiwan “ASTIGAN 1st 2022”

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

ASTIGAN 1st and Media exposure?

It was a random moment when I saw this video posted by Rhambeetv that said “Astigan 1st”. As a Filipino Media here in Taiwan, I am obviously and most definitely in constant talent search, trying to discover and meet Filipinos who are trying to make a difference in Taiwan and help bridge the culture gap. It might be typical to have stereotypes toward the Filipinos in Taiwan but by promoting talented and amazing Filipinos, the negative impression will surely be changed into a positive one.

A Taiwanese New Immigrant Party admin shared to me, after their general assembly this month, that most of the time, they support the Vietnamese Party leaders in all the event preparations. I was surprised to hear it and said, he should join “Astigan 1st” and be amazed how Filipino foreign workers create an event as spectacular as what it was last Sunday, August 21, 2022 on their own.

By the time I had connected to Dj Christian Kalalo through Rhamz Predilla, the Tiktok user who uploaded the promotional video shown above, I decided to be the media partner for Astigan.

Being in the media circle since 2013, I invited Migrants Park, an independent media in Taiwan to be a media partner too. In my mind, having a local Filipino and Taiwanese Media partner for the historic E-BIKE show would be enough until I decided to invite UNTV News and Rescue, a Philippine mainstream media outlet in Taiwan. All three media in one event would be a huge impact online.

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

ASTIGAN 1st Media Exposure in Taiwan & Philippines

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

UNTV News and Rescue – Philippines Media Exposure

On August 23, 2022 UNTV News and Rescue featured Astigan 1st E-Bike Show reported by Amiel Pascual and Chris. The clip showed the beautiful e-bike entries and an interview with Christian, Jerwin and I, Chini Huang as the Filipino Online Media personality in Taiwan.

Right after watching the news from UNTV, I congratulated the organizers for the success of the story. Indeed, it was a colorful life of the Filipino Migrant workers in Taiwan now unfolded to the world. UNTV Amiel Pascual and Chris emphasized that for as long as the event of the Filipinos in Taiwan promote public service, UNTV is always willing to support.

Migrant’s Park – Taiwan Media Exposure

Right after the Astigan 1st E-Bike show, Taiwanese media partner and sponsor Mr. Asuka Lee shared on his social media account several photos showing pertinent moments of Astigan and based on the amount of reaction and comments from the locals, the said event was a success.

Follow Migrant’s Park Mr. Asuka Lee on Facebook and read articles featuring Filipino Migrant workers and other Southeast Asians on his website. Follow Migrant’s Park here: https://www.facebook.com/asukalee0623 and https://www.facebook.com/mparknews and https://mpark.news/2022/02/08/7713/

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

Hello PhilTai Tv – Taiwan and Global Exposure

As the Filipino Online Media in Taiwan, it has been my priority to promote the amazing culture of my fellowmen. From my social media platforms, official Facebook Page Hello PhilTai, Facebook group forum, youtube channel and tiktok, the followers could clearly see how much effort I exert to show the Taiwanese people and the world how much they have to learn about the Filipino people.

I also wish to give Astigan 1st their first ever global exposure opportunity through my very own website on the feature page since there are more than 20 countries all over the world visiting, reading and sharing my articles.

Like Dj Christian, I experience the same thing when people will choose not to believe in your sincerity to serve your fellowmen. Somehow, it even comes from the people you expect to support you all the way only to find out that they are the ones to doubt you first.

I am being bold too in sharing my innermost feelings and emotions with regards to discrimination and stereotype towards my race because I live here in Taiwan. I have two children that could be a victim of bullying at school, at work or in the community just because they do not completely understand their second ethnicity, being half Filipino.

Further, I disagree with the culture of labeling that is quite evident here in Taiwan community. I would not see the Filipino Migrant Workers any way lesser than the residents here. Whether you are a Filipino Chinese, Filipino Taiwanese, Filipino spouse, Filipino Migrant, Filipino Overseas Worker or whatever reason they have in living here in Taiwan, we are all carrying our flag.

What one does to make our country proud will ripple in many ways the same manner if anyone would do unpleasant things here too. It is a great deal of courage to stand up against our fellowmen shaming our nation but it is worth the courage if it serves the common good.

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

Highlights in ASTIGAN 1st in Hsinchu Taiwan by Dj Christian and Jerwin Esguerra

Filipino Migrants in Taiwan

Gratitude for Astigan 1st E-Bike Show Historic Success

As a Filipino Media here in Taiwan, my advocacy is to promote amazing Filipinos. This is also why I wanted to enumerate the people behind the curtains. Their full support for Dj Christian and Jerwin matters as much as the genius of these two organizers.

The people, partners, collaborators, sponsors and private entities that made a huge impact to the Filipino community through Astigan are:

One United Tiktokers by Jerwin & Jenyrose Torema, Malikhain Creation, TITNC, Tau Gamma Phi, Clayton Dizon Zhongli Chapter, Rham Predilla, Raymond Torrenueva, Raymond Hidalgo, Mark Belangel, Dian Xhey Carlos, MUZIK Cycle band, Dj Raffy, Dj Jahm Jahm, Don Ramon Tiongson Santos, Melan Gabia, Dave Magno Umadhay, Khong, Rocky Fajardo, Shoppers Mate Lyra & Flordelis Tu, Sherwin Mangubat Clayton Design, Klay, FET Hukou Leony, Molina Vapors & Apparel, Honda CBR Motor Richard Lebria, Joker Clothing, RHSL, TMTK, KTT, LTF, PTF, Trece Trece Kwatro Phil Kwatro, ECASH, Em Borja, Budang Slay Shop Em, Jakielyn, Jan Carlo, George, Kim, Mj, Kalinga, Joebeth, Taiwan Tiktokers Circles of Friends, Macmac, Force Wear, JHYT, GClub Tiktokers Jay Cortez, Extreme Gimik Pinoy EGP Anthony & Jocelyn, KP Vapors, RJ Creation, Marksman, North meets South Jayjay, Calab Tiktokers, Gravint, Summer Bae & Babe, Pinoy Body Building & Fitness, Bonnie Chen Mary Kay

Media Partners: UNTV News and Rescue Amiel & Chris, Migrant’s Park Asuka Lee, Hello Philtai Tv Gen (Chini Huang)

If you like what you see, email [email protected] if you have an original event in mind! Together let’s write our Filipino History in Taiwan

Written by Gen Chini Huang

Also read: PHILTAI ORGANIZATION https://everydaywithgen.com/philtai-organization-2007/

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