“Feel Your Heartbeat in Taipei” lights up Manila’s BGC; Top Filipino mega-influencers praise Taipei’s great value for money

VIPs at the opening event: (Left 5) Deputy Representative Dustin Teng-shi Yang, (Left 4) Deputy Director Wen-pin Lin, (Right 5) DOIT’s Division Chief Ms. Mei-Yun Hung, (Right 4) PTAA Vice President Mr. Dominic Castillejos, (Left 1) Philippine KOL Krisell Lumagui, and (Right 1) The Poor Traveler.

With mutual visa-free travel between Taiwan and the Philippines now in effect as of July, the Department of Information and Tourism (DOIT), Taipei City Government, launched a two-day “Feel Your Heartbeat in Taipei” promotion at SM Aura Premier in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) to engage high-potential Filipino travelers.

The opening ceremony featured mega-influencers The Poor Traveler and Krisell Lumagui sharing their Taipei experiences. Distinguished guests included Mr. Dustin Teng-shi Yang, Deputy Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines (TECO); Deputy Director Mr. Jeffrey Lin of the Taiwan Tourism Administration Bangkok Office; Mr. Paul Hsieh, General Manager of China Airlines Philippines; representatives from Philippine Airlines; and Mr. Dominic Castillejos, Vice President of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA). The event’s four themed experience stations drew long queues and an energetic crowd, kicking off the campaign on a high note.

BGC is one of Metro Manila’s most vibrant premium districts. By staging the event at the landmark SM Aura Premier mall, DOIT effectively reached expatriate professionals and the emerging middle class—key segments with strong spending power and high intent to travel.

At the opening, The Poor Traveler spotlighted Taipei’s night markets, calling out distinctive snacks like the unforgettable peanut ice-cream roll. They also praised Taipei’s seamless transportation and the city’s highly accessible environment. From a family-travel perspective, Krisell Lumagui shared that Taipei exceeded expectations for traveling with kids—from the Taipei Children’s Amusement Park, where “the kids didn’t want to leave,” to the affordable Taipei Zoo that “keeps children happily active all day.” She plans to return and stay for a month to soak up more of the city. Their stories resonated strongly with attendees, many of whom said they were eager to follow in their footsteps to visit Taipei.

Taipei Tourism Event

Strong turnout as Manila residents enthusiastically joined the Taipei promotion.

The “Feel Your Heartbeat in Taipei” promotion featured four experience stations:

  • Feel Your Heartbeat in Taipei (confession/photo wall)
  • Color Taipei with Love (Taipei postcard coloring)
  • Taste of Taipei Lucky Wheel
  • Start Your Taipei Adventure (itinerary info desk & photo wall)

Visitors who completed all four stations received an eco-friendly tote bag and a chance to win prizes such as round-trip Philippine Airlines tickets between Taipei and Manila and a dinner for two on the Taipei Double-Decker Bus.

Beyond the consumer event, DOIT met with the Taiwan Tourism Administration’s Manila Office, China Airlines Philippines, Philippine Airlines, and PTAA to exchange market insights and explore future cooperation—aiming to attract more Filipino visitors to Taipei.

DOIT’s Division Chief Ms. Mei-Yun Hung pays a courtesy call on PTAA Vice President Mr. Dominic Castillejos.

To amplify reach, DOIT rolled out large-format billboards across Manila’s prime commercial areas and launched mobile ads on iconic jeepneys—combining fixed and in-motion media for maximal exposure. Recently invited Filipino creators also filmed on location in Taipei; this content will be integrated with social media campaigns and on-ground activations to lift Taipei’s visibility and appeal across the Philippines.

Taipei City Government’s large outdoor billboard in Manila’s popular BGC district targets high-potential audiences.

Looking ahead, DOIT will introduce 12 customized Taipei itineraries for Southeast Asian travelers, tailored to local preferences. For the Philippines, examples include:

  • Retro & Indie Route — Dadaocheng, Dihua Street, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
  • Family Route — Beitou Hot Spring, Taipei Children’s Amusement Park
  • Urban Trend Route — Taipei 101, Xinyi District, plus riverside cycling

Through sustained, localized marketing, DOIT aims to strengthen Taipei’s draw among Southeast Asian visitors and position the city as a top-of-mind destination.

Scroll to Top