There were numerous challenges that faced the thirteen Filipino scouts on their trip to the Formosan Island. Unexpectedly, eating with chopsticks was one of them.

They didn’t travel hundreds of miles in vain, for they were warmly welcomed to the 2^nd Scouts of China National Jamboree for Aboriginal Scouts from March 27 to 30, 2014, held at Saijia Recreation Center in Pingtung County, Taiwan.

The contingent was led by grade school discipline head Jelvin Ralph Sy, who was assisted by CKSC-FBAS students Judd Adrian Ong, and Francis Yan. Reign Cristine Balajadia, Patricia Clare Balay, Aldrin Hanson Chong, Andrea Jasmin Farnacio, Ivan Victor Lau, Daniel Paul Li, Andrew Brandon Ong, and Clinton Xu were the remaining scout representatives from Chiang Kai Shek College, while Alvin Ivan Herrera and Patricia Marie Roldan were from Manila Patriotic School.

Another challenge that hindered the delegates was to utilize what they had learned in their Chinese classes, that is, to converse in pure Mandarin with the Taiwanese scouts. Starting from the simplest Zao-an, they slowly adapted to the environment, and soon began to make international friends.

The delegation visited the 82-hectare Taiwan Indigenous People’s Cultural Park situated near their campsite, where they discovered the simple rural life of the aboriginal tribes. A simple life they may have, their costumes and attires though were no match against fashion retail stores, as they were decorated with beads, laces, ribbons, and all sorts of colorful lines and curves. Native archery lessons also embraced the scouts (a challenge!) and a spectacular one-hour concert by the aboriginals wowed them all. Even though they disliked the feeling, their faces, in a very tribal way, got tattooed.

Later that day, they endured the dreadful 10-kilometer hike in a quest to find the secrets of the Paiwan tribe. Rushing with adrenaline, the team quickly sped for the destination, but soon, fatigue started to pile up, and they saw themselves running in circles aimlessly. Thanks to what seemed like a tribal yell, the spirit of the team resurfaced, and they went on to accomplish the challenge.

At the last night of their stay in the campsite, our scouts were suited up in barongs, sayas, and Igorot costumes for the Cultural Nite of the jamboree. The tune of the undyingly familiar song 朋友 reverberated around the activity hall, and just by looking at the faces of the crowd, they knew their performance had exceeded expectations.

During the Closing Ceremonies at the 30th, the Philippine Contingent was awarded a plaque of appreciation and four merit banners for their efforts to applaud the name of Boy Scouts of the Philippines. The contingent was one of the top patrols in the jamboree, judged by their performance throughout the event.

For a breather, the team spent the seven more days for a tour around Taiwan, visiting Taipei 101, Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, Leo Foo Amusement Park, Raohe Night Market, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan, Formosa Boulevard and Dream Mall, to name some.

It’s true that they really enjoyed their 12-day voyage. But when they started to pack things to return to Manila, they discovered they exceeded the baggage allowance! Another challenge!

Contributor: Andrew Brandon Ong

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