October was quite a busy month for TAP-OC with a series of cultural events, not only hosted by the chapter but in various collaborations with TECO and the City of Irvine as well. TAP-OC members had the opportunity to be truly culturally immersed last month. Whether it was being part of a grand celebration of the Double Ten holiday with community leaders all over Southern California or getting locals to partake in Taiwanese activities at the Irvine Global Village Festival, TAP-OC was proud to showcase and celebrate Taiwanese and Taiwanese American culture with the community. Read the rest of the blog to check out how TAP-OC shared the culture with its members.

The month kicked off with the huge celebration of Taiwan for Double Ten at the Universal City Hilton in Hollywood on October 7th. This event gathered hundreds of distinguished community leaders and government officials, and showcased performances such as lion dance performance from the local community as well as a hakka rendition of the Taiwanese national anthem with the colorful honor guards raising the Taiwan flag to celebrate the special holiday. 

Shortly after, TAP-OC co-hosted with Miss Taiwanese American Pageant as part of the annual Irvine Global Village Festival on October 8th to continue raising Taiwanese American identity and awareness to the local audience. It was amazing to be part of a community that promoted such a diverse community within Orange County. Activities that attracted a lot of interest and engagement were Taiwanese calligraphy and traditional drumming. 

Then on October 15th, TECO Santa Ana and TAP-OC held its first ever Taiwanese Music Festival, highlighting a band of college volunteers named The Gossip as they performed latest Taiwanese folklore songs plus some of the latest pop hits. What a thrill it was to hear them play any requests from the audience!

Continuing the cultural immersion, TAP-OC held a Boba and Dumpling Making Par-tea on October 16th, teaching participants on how to make up to 12 different folds of dumpling wrappings that can either be boiled or pan-fried. It was amazing to see how fast everyone learned how to do the folds and ate all the dumplings! 

Can’t wait to see what other events TAP-OC has planned for the future!