Welcome to my playground—Tianzhong Forest Park Trail—where I enjoy hiking with anyone available to join me. The trail offers a variety of attractions, including the serene gardens of Gushan Buddhist Monastery, scenic tea, betel nut, and dragon fruit plantations, and stunning views overlooking Tianzhong Township, as well as nearby Ershui and Shetou. Within the forest park, gliding butterflies, chirping birds, and diverse flora and fauna create a rich ecosystem and valuable tourism resource.

One of the most remarkable discoveries in my township is that a nun from the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was assigned exactly to my hometown, Naga City. She served at St. Joseph Filipino-Chinese School and is currently working at Holy Savior High School, where her congregation also manages the church behind the school. 

New Year's Eve Countdown 2024 & 2025

Tianzhong Farmers Festival

I ran 21K at the annual Taiwan Rice Haven Tianzhong International Marathon held on November 12, 2023. Local residents filled the entire street, generously offering food and drinks and cheering for the runners. We runners were able to view the naturally diverse scenery of the township, such as old streets, canals, forest trails, and steep slopes. Plus, the bonus view of the high-speed trains passing by.

I did not join the annual marathon on November 10, 2024, but rather I gathered some fellow English teachers to volunteer and formed a cheering squad to support another fellow English teacher who ran 21 K. In this video, we appeared from 2:24 to 2:26. 

Although I personally missed attending Simbang Gabi—the nine nights of Mass leading up to Christmas—in the Philippines, I was grateful to attend the Midnight Mass at the nearby Catholic church, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was a meaningful way to honor and celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, even while being far from home.

Although people have different beliefs, I personally welcome the opportunity to experience how other religions celebrate Christmas in church. After a tableau depicting the story of Christmas, the church pastor and members prepared a festive meal, fun games, and DIY arts and crafts to take home.

Christmas Parade

Regardless of religion or belief, churchgoers from both Catholic and Protestant churches gathered together along the main streets of Tianzhong for a parade towards the train station to lighten the spirit of Christmas. In santa costumes had distributed some gifts along the homeowners. As we all gathered to witness the program, the parish priest, the pastor, and the nuns, together with the local government officials, formally started the opening of the Christmas season.

Feast Day

I was invited by a nun to join the dinner at the Sacred Heart Chapel to honor the feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a moveable feast celebrating the love of Christ for all mankind.  It is celebrated on the Friday after the octave (eighth day) of the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Flower Arrangement

It is truly meaningful experience—learning flower arrangement in a certain center for the elderly. Activities like this not only bring beauty to a space but also offer therapeutic relief, helping patients feel comforted and engaged despite any health challenges they may face.

It’s wonderful that my housemate is part of this environment, providing care and support while fostering activities that promote emotional well-being.

There is also a massage, how to make an essential oil, and hair care. However, I focused on the flower arrangement.

Dinner Invite

My colleague, Molly and her family graciously invited me to join them for dinner. Her mother prepared a traditional local meal made with a variety of healthy vegetables, fish, meat, and a comforting soup. It was both delicious and heartwarming. I’ve also been closely following the growth of Molly’s two nieces. Nina, the eldest, is my student and regularly joins all the English Camps at school. Meanwhile, the little one in the photo has already started attending Toddler classes—it's been a joy watching them grow.

Socks  Festival

Thanks to Amanda’s influence, one of my favorite festivals in Changhua - or Taiwan rather - is the Socks and Guava Festival every December in Shetou Township. This vibrant event celebrates the town’s renowned sock manufacturing industry, showcasing a wide array of socks, sports legwear, and winter accessories like bonnets, scarves, and leggings. At the same time, it highlights Shetou’s famous guavas, offering delicious treats and fun activities. The festival is a lively blend of fashion, warmth, and local flavors, making it an experience I look forward to every year!

National Immigration Day

This event, called "National Immigration," was attended mostly by Asian people who live, work, and migrated here in Taiwan, held at Shetou Public Market on December 1, 2024. Together with some of my colleagues and their children, we had the wonderful opportunity to experience a variety of Vietnamese and Indonesian dishes, dive into DIY arts and crafts of our choice, and enjoy an abundance of giveaways. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a booth for Filipinos—at least not yet.

Ocular Visit

A day before the water run, Amanda and I decided to visit the trail where it would take place, while also savoring the lush greenery of Ershui. Surrounded by endless rice fields, I was reminded of my birthplace, where I once witnessed the full cycle of rice growth—from planting to harvesting.

Ershui Annual Water Run

Together with the other Foreign English Feachers, I signed up for the 'Ershui Water Run' on November 3, 2024. However, due to a series of typhoons that hit the country, we ended up walking instead.

Songbo Trail

Another weekend spent in Ershui, where I had the opportunity to join the opening Zumba session for the township's event. Afterward, my colleague YuShan and I, along with the locals, hiked the Songbo Trail towards Shaolian Temple. Along the trail, we encountered a group of monkeys blocking our path! These monkeys are known to inhabit the area, and it's important to avoid feeding or approaching them to ensure both our safety and theirs. After our hike, we were treated to a delightful local lunch, adding a perfect end to our day.

Kengneikeng Forest Trail

The Kengneikeng Forest Trail is a beautiful hiking path in Ershui Township, Changhua County, Taiwan. The trail is about 3 kilometers long and goes through quiet and green forest areas. It is a peaceful place to walk and enjoy nature.

The trail starts at Shoude Temple in Fuxing Village and ends at a wooden viewing deck near Fengbo Road in Minjian Township, Nantou County. You can start the hike from either side. It takes about 50 minutes to walk one way.

Within Changhua

I love spending free time and holidays with housemates, workmates, and churchmates who share my faith—exploring new places, enjoying local food, and having fun together. It's even more meaningful when we hear stories behind the dishes, learn about the history of the places we visit, and take part in cultural events that connect us more deeply to the community

Baguashan

Bagua Shan’s 26-meter-tall Giant Buddha is one of the most iconic landmarks of Changhua City. The hill features a 4-kilometer loop trail that takes about 2½ hours to complete, offering a great way to explore the entire area.

Ribbon Factory

I spent another wonderful weekend with my colleagues, their families, and some churchmates in Lukang. We started our day by visiting a local ribbon factory, where we not only learned about how ribbons are made but also got to try our hand at making some ourselves. Of course, we couldn’t leave without buying a few colorful pieces as souvenirs!

Later in the day, we headed to the nearby wind farm and took a peaceful walk along the shoreline, enjoying the sea breeze and scenic views. We wrapped up the day with a delicious seafood dinner at one of the restaurants along the old streets of Lukang—a perfect way to end a memorable outing.

Old Streets

Google: "Lukang, formerly romanized as Lugang and also known by other names, is an urban township in northwestern Changhua County, Taiwan. The township is on the west coast of Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait. Lukang was an important sea port in the 18th century and 19th century. It was the most populous city in central Taiwan until the early 20th century. In March 2012, it was named one of the Top 10 Small Tourist Towns by the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan."

Yu Shan is my colleague and my constant travel buddy whenever we can find time to explore together. In 2023, the Taichung International Flower Carpet Festival featured a “floating flower city”—Taiwan’s first-ever floating flower castle. This unique attraction showcased the three defining elements of Xinshe: its natural ecosystems, agriculture, and human culture, which were creatively reimagined as guardian angels symbolizing the region's development and prosperity. As tourists visiting Xinshe, we felt as if we had stepped into a utopia.

In February 2025, the Xihu Flower Garden in Changhua County will have a special theme called "Floral Narratives." This theme uses flowers to tell stories about the beauty and history of Changhua.

This year’s flower exhibition will focus on three things: flower art, environmental protection (sustainability), and fun, hands-on experiences (immersive activities). It will also show the five main industries of Changhua: farming, forestry, fishing, raising animals, and growing flowers.

Some more Catholic churches I visited and attended Holy mass in Zhushan Township, Nantou and Lukang Catholic Church.