To highlight Taiwan’s commitment to creating solutions that improve lives while setting high standards of quality, the dynamic island nation held the ‘Taiwan Expo 2025,’ which ran from September 17 until September 19, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
The event reinforced the Taiwan-Philippines partnership, which is ‘an invitation to connect, to collaborate, and to create, and to work hand-in-hand not only to build on past successes, but to define a better future.’
Simon Wang, the president and CEO of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), said: ‘On behalf of TAITRA, we are proud to bring Taiwan’s spirit of innovation and excellence to the Philippines through the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion. All these products combine smart design, advanced technology, and practicality.’
The Taiwan Excellence Awards, established in 1993 by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), recognize and celebrate the exceptional achievements of Taiwan’s most innovative products.
Taiwan-RP Common Goal
One of the standout exhibits, the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion displayed innovative products that carried the theme: ‘Inspiring Tomorrow: Solutions for a Brighter Life,’ presenting solutions in smart city, comfortable life, and greener future.
‘Manila is a city full of vitality. We’re delighted to be back to share our latest innovations. And, you know, the Philippines is one of Taiwan’s closest trading partners in ASEAN. With strong growth under the Build Better More program and the Philippines Development Plan 2023 to 2028, Taiwan is sharing what we can offer in ICT, in AI, brain technology, and healthcare, which perfectly match the Philippines’ vision of digital transformation and sustainable development,’ shared Wang.
For over 30 years, Wang said, Taiwan Excellence has stood for the best of Taiwan’s innovation.
‘So, from smart lifestyle devices to eco-friendly ICT and safety innovations, the pavilion showcases products that are practical, sustainable, and people-centered,’ added Wang. ‘In closing, Taiwan and the Philippines share a common goal, which are building smarter, greener, and healthier communities.’
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray hosted a meet and greet, and a live autograph signing session to fans and visitors of the pavilion, expressing her enthusiasm: ‘It is such an honor to be here today at the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion. Witnessing these innovative solutions from Taiwan inspires me in looking forward to a better tomorrow. I hope that Filipinos will seize every opportunity that’s available to them here at the pavilion, and that we all take home the empowering spirit from seeing a brighter future together as Taiwan and the Philippines.’
Key Brands
Key representatives of leading Taiwanese brands gave product presentations: Jacqueline Hsiao – Vinxper Life; George Pascua – Team Group; Joseph Aquino – Zyxel Networks; and Charge Lu – Hepty.
Vinxper combines the French word for wine, ‘Vin,’ and the English word ‘Expert,’ signifying its expertise in wine accessories. In 2024, it launched its first product – Vinxper Expert – The World’s 4th Generation Adjustable Electric Wine Aerator. ‘Through the new exclusive patented aeration technology, it is the first to offer precise and customizable wine decanting effects ranging from 0 to 240 minutes (Suitable for 99% of young wines aged 3 to 7 years), along with TYPE-C Charging and Water-Resistant Design,’ its site says.
Team Group Inc. is a company that ‘offers a wide range of memory, memory cards, USB flash drives, solid state drives, peripherals, cell phone accessories and industrial products to meet the needs of consumers in different fields.’
Zyxel Networks, meanwhile, is a leading provider of secure, AI-powered cloud networking solutions for SMBs and the enterprise edge, ensuring seamless connectivity and robust security.
Hepty aerosol fire extinguisher, on the other hand, is a company specializing in portable handheld aerosol firefighting technology that produces high-quality, effective and eco-friendly aerosol fire extinguishers.
Partners in a High-Tech Ecosystem
Josephine Shun, the director of the Economic Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office of the Philippines (TECO), delivered a speech about Taiwan’s initiatives to improve everyday living for everyone:
‘In 2024, our bilateral trade reached 6.7 billion US dollars. And from January to August this year, we have already recorded nearly 4.6 billion US dollars. For the Philippines, Taiwan is in the top 10 trading partners.
‘And for Taiwan, the Philippines is one of our most vital partners in ASEAN. Behind this number is a deeper story of industry scenario. Our top trading item is integrated circuit, IC.
‘Showing that Taiwan and the Philippines are not just buyers and sellers, but partners in the same high-tech ecosystem. Taiwan’s leadership in IC design and manufacturing, together with Philippines’ strength in assembly, testing, and electronic manufacturing services, form a highly resilient supply chain for the region.
‘Here at the Taiwan Excellence Pavilion, you will see this spirit in action. Taiwan’s strength in innovation, high quality, and agent manufacturing allow us to transform cutting-edge technologies into real-world solutions.
‘Looking ahead, our opportunities for collaboration are immense. Together, we can build a smarter city powered by IoT and AI, improve quality of life through healthcare and lifestyle reservations, and embrace greener futures through circular economic solutio