16th EARC in TAIWAN INFO PACK #6 (FINAL)

TAIWAN Conference Info Pack # 6 (FINAL)

Dear ITP Eagles, Partners, and Friends,

We are fast drawing closer to our 16^th East Asia Regional Conference in Taiwan. The excitement level is rising fast. Some of us are already preparing things to bring to the trip . Our office staffs are also very busy preparing the conference materials, manuals, ID’s, backdrops, photo-wall, shirts, etc … Everything that is happening generate wonderful anticipation on an event that we believe will tremendously bless us all. In a little over three weeks, we will see each other in the beautiful bustling city of Taipei. We are so excited for this gathering, and we look forward to walking the streets of Taipei with you.  Here’s more information to add to the five info packs …

1. DEADLINES 

a. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION . Online Registration for the 16^th East Asia Regional Conference will end on MARCH 21 (SATURDAY) midnight. Our organizing team will need some time to prepare all the final documents and conference materials for distribution to all conference participants which include General List of Names of participants, ID’s , T-shirts ,meal stubs, awards and tokens etc.… before departing for Taiwan. They will have three working days to complete / compile all the documents and conference materials before their departure on  March 26, 2026 (Monday). 

b. AWARDEES OF FREE 2 way PLANE TICKETS & CONFERENCE REGISTRATION. Deadline for claiming the free round trip plane tickets and free conference registration is on MARCH 23, 2026. As of March 05, we already have thirty six (36) awardees  of free round trip tickets and will be given awards and recognition on the second day of the conference. There are still free tickets remaining and waiting for those who will be able to reach our mobilization targets for the conference.

2. PRE- DEPARTURE MEETINGS: There will be several Pre-Departure meetings which will all be held in an online Zoom platform. Our organizing team have divided all participants to groups. They have set up the groups based on their flight schedule. The purpose was to ensure that you’ll get to know each other even before you arrive at the airport. There are assigned IT staffs who will handle the meeting to coach you on immigration matters and to distribute all documents that may be required from you by our airport officials.

Please do not ignore these meetings. It may spell worry free travel for you if you join the meeting or an airport nightmare experience if you don’t. Our immigration officers are notorious for off-loading or denying flight boarding even for legitimate travelers like us. If you would not be able to attend the briefing for whatever reason, please make sure to ask our office for copies of the conference and company documents that you must have on hand should the airport officials ask for proof of your participation in the event. We will have the documents sent via email or through FB messenger. You need to ask those who were able to attend the meeting to at least brief you on matters that were discussed. Based on our past experiences, those who were interrogated/ off loaded/ failed to board their flight .. were mostly the same people who were not able to attend the pre-departure meetings. Please don’t take this matter lightly.

3. AIRPORT TAX: Please be reminded that there is a TRAVEL TAX of P1,620.00 required from Filipino nationals for international travels. You will have to pay that amount in the airport prior to check-in.

4. BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE: Your budget airline (Cebu Pacific or Air Asia) booking starts with the minimum baggage allowance of 7 kilos for hand carry alone. If you need to bring with you a check in baggage, you must pay for the baggage weight of your choice. You may go directly to your airlines website and order the additional baggage weight that you want.

5. BAGGAGE WEIGHT: Please weigh your baggage’s before heading to the airport. You need to make sure that you don’t go beyond the baggage weight limit that you paid for. The cost of extra weight when paid in the airport is a lot more expensive than on an online payment.

6. PHILIPPINES DEPARTURE/ ARRIVAL FORMS (ONLINE):  Address to input on your Phil. airport departure online form  and Taiwan arrival form –

CHIENTAN YOUTH ACTIVITY CENTER & HOTEL, No. 16 Sec 4., Zhongshan N. Rd., Shilin District, Taipei, Taiwan

Purpose for the visit is ATTEND CONFERENCE.

In the Phils, we have already adopted an online system (eTravel FORM)  for departure and arrivals. Before departure, please ensure that you have completed the departure form by following these steps:

1.    Go to eTravel official website. The official website is : https//etravel.gov.ph. 

2.    Start your registration

3.    Provide your personal information

4.    Enter your travel address and email

5.    Submit your travel details 

6.    Accomplish  the Health Declaration Form

7.    Review the information you gave

8.    Download your QR Code             

eTravel is FREE. It is a friendly application and so easy to use. All you need is a smartphone that has internet access. No need to avail of services offered by individuals or companies that charged a fee for assisting you in completing the form.

7. TAIWAN ARRIVAL FORM  (ONLINE):  Just like in the Philippines, TAIWAN has introduced the TAIWAN ARRIVAL CARD (TWAC), a mandatory digital form for all travelers entering Taiwan. This new system replaces the old customs declaration and combines it with the health declaration and immigration details. This digital card must be completed online WITHIN 72 HOURS BEFORE YOUR FLIGHT, and once submitted you’ll receive a PDF CONFIRMATION by email. If your travel details change before arrival, simply update them the system will send you a new PDF.  NO need to print , just show it on your phone when immigration officer asks for it.

TWAC SUBMISSION IS FREE. It is easy and fast to complete. No need to avail of services offered by companies that charged a fee for assisting you in completing the form.

 We strongly advise that you fill in the form before leaving the Philippines so that your immigration experience at TAIWAN airport will be smoother and quicker.

STEPS TO FOLLOW IN COMPLETING THE TWAC:

1.    Go to TWAC official website. The official website is : https//twac.immigration.gov.tw/

2.    ENTER your email address to receive a verification code.

3.    KEY IN your verification code.

4.    FILL in your personal and travel details. You can also submit for family members or your travel companion. Review the information you gave.

5.    SUBMIT your application, you’ll receive a PDF confirmation by email. NO need to print , just show it on your phone when immigration officer asks for it.

8. TAIWAN AIRPORT ASSISTANCE: We don’t have anyone at the airport to meet you on arrival. Please read the previous INFO PACKS for trip instructions to the city. Let me repeat … “NO AIRPORT ASSISTANCE”

9. OFFICIAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION is on March 30 from 12:30 pm to 2 pm. Conference materials will be handed out to all participants. Registration area will be at the same venue where we will be holding our conference – the Chientan Youth Activity Center and Hotel. Our Taiwan team led by Ptr. Macky and Ptra. Shirley Ramirez will be around to welcome you on registration day. As soon as you receive the conference package, please don’t put on the T-shirt right away. It was intended for our GROUP PICTURE session on March 31. 

 During the registration, we will be doing a photo and video shoot. After the registration, our Taiwan hosts will be available to discuss matters related to the places to go to in the area, transportation, etc …

10. CURRENCY EXCHANGE: As soon as you arrive Taipei airport, we recommend that you have your money changed at any available Currency Exchange counter at the airport, to the local currency NTD or TAIWAN NEW DOLLAR. You may also withdraw from the available ATM machines so you will have local currency to use for your travel and other expenses. The exchange rate as of  03/05/2026  is US$1 = TWD 31.65 = Pesos 58.87.

11. COMMUNICATING DIRECTIONS: Please ALWAYS keep in your pockets the address of your hotel and the conference venue and emergency contact numbers or FB Messengers of our Taiwan missionaries. Hotel cards are available at the counter or the lobby area of any hotel. Please be reminded the pronunciation is different and the locals may not be able to understand you if you’ll just tell them where you want to go. So, always bring the hotel cards with you and present it to the driver when needed.

12. SECURITY: Taipei is a safe place, but one can never be sure. It is better careful and safe than be sorry. When going out specially at night, please try to go in groups. PLEASE …NO LONE RANGER or solo flyer!!!! We need to be able to always monitor each other’s activities and whereabouts. Always go out with a group and inform others of your plans. We would like each one to assist in policing your own ranks. Just like in every main city of the world, there are bad elements (pickpockets, snatchers etc..) that are out to prey on unsuspecting visitors. Please be extra vigilant and always protect your belongings. Of all items in your possession, please make sure to secure the most important item … your PASSPORT.

13. HEALTH: You may bring personal medications for those on maintenance and also for emergency cases – antihistamines for allergy, paracetamols for fever and pain etc .. Our office will also bring some so in any case you feel the need to take some, please don’t hesitate to ask from any of our conference staffs. We are bringing also Blood Pressure gauge and other medical instruments etc. in case the need arises.

14. ELECTRIC ADAPTERS: The electrical outlets in Taiwan have two vertical slots, (like the one we use in the Phils) US types at 110 volts. There is no need for an adapter if you are coming from the Philippines but please make sure that whatever unit you plan to plug in can run on 110 volts. Most mobile phone chargers run on worldwide voltage so there won’t be any problem. But those who will be using hair dryers etc, we advise that you check if it can run properly on that voltage level. . If you are from another country, you may need to have an adapter to convert to standard American type plug to use the outlets. If you could not purchase or borrow one while in the country, they are available at the airport stores or you can purchase cheaper ones in the Taiwan markets.

15. MEMORY CARD & BATTERY PACK: With all the beautiful sights and ministry site that you will be visiting, you might need to bring an extra SD card(s) just to be sure that you don’t wind up with a camera that you could no longer use just because of lack of memory space. A battery pack will also be as important to ensure that you will be able to capture all special moments, people and places. BATTERY PACKS are not allowed in check in baggage!!! Please make sure to have it in your carry-on bag at all times.

16. T-SHIRTS: Our staffs have taken your individual sizes and will distribute the shirts at registration time. The T-shirts are given FREE to all registered conference participants. – one per participant. Please don’t wear it on the first day. We would like all participants to wear the T- shirts on the second day when we will have our Group Picture time.

17. JOSHUA RISING YOUTH GROUP: Our youth have set their itineraries and activities while in Taiwan. The person leading the charge for our youth group is Sis Angel Cubinar and assisted by Sis France Millare and other IT office staff. Should you want to get info on their ministry, please don’t hesitate to approach any of them. They will gladly share to you what their goals are for the youth and explain activities that they designed to move forward to their target goals.

18. GLOBAL INTERCESSORS will be in Taiwan at the beginning and end of the conference and events to ensure that all of us will be covered with prayers. They are led by Ptra Rosanna Sadogio. Should you be interested to know their plans and activities while in Taiwan, please do not hesitate to approach Ptra Rose or any of the Global Intercessors.

19. ACCESS PART 2: Our designated trainers/evaluators together with field missionaries present at the conference will meet with the whole group to discuss the group arrangements and the itinerary for Access program. Those who are not part of the training group have the full freedom to determine where they would like to go and what they would like to do after the conference. We will have group meetings to discuss options available. For those who are travelling alone, we will be happy connect you to a group, so you will be able to join them in their city tours.

20. HOTEL CHECK IN and CHECK OUT: I noticed that some hotels in Taipei have a check in time of 3pm!!! That means they will allow you to use the room ONLY starting at that time. Check out normally is at 12pm but some hotels require you to leave your room at around 11:30 am. PLEASE check out the times so that you won’t be billed extra .

21. HOTEL DEPOSITS: Some of hotels ask for a certain amount for deposit. They ask for it as a guarantee that should something is stolen or destroyed in the room they will be able to demand it from your deposit. Most often, the excitement of going back home makes you check out without asking for the deposit to be returned, I noticed that some hotels don’t remind their guests of their deposits unless it is demanded from them. They must have a good reason for it.

22. INTERNET/ WIFI: You will be surprised to know that there are Wi-Fi signals available for you to use in most parts of Taiwan … from the marketplaces to the train stations etc

Your Phil phone provider (Globe & Smart) offer a  daily use roaming service that cost somewhere close to P399 per full day of use.  Globe recently came out with an offer of Pesos 73 per individual for a group roaming service. Please check with Globe directly for a better understanding of the roaming service  that they are offering.

If you  want to have an internet service that you could use together with the group that you are with, we  recommend that you purchase  from the airport or in stores in the city,  a SIM card with an internet load and use your phone as a mobile hot spot for others to connect to.  You may also avail of rental pocket wifi’s at the airport. We recommend a Pocket 5G WIFI Rentals at a very reasonable daily rate and connects to 5 devices (laptops or smartphones). In our previous conferences, we got our WIFI rental from Klook and simply picked it up at the airport and returned it there before departure.

23. TOUR MAP: TAIPEI is a beautiful city with so many amazing sites to visit. Travel within the city is easy with the train stations situated where the important tour sites are located. A map in your hand will always be very useful.

24. WEATHER: All our weather predictions in our previous two conferences regarding the weather were terribly wrong. When we informed everybody that the weather will be warm and there was no need to bring any jackets to the event … we were so wrong !!! It turned out to be the exact opposite. It was good that our brethren in Taiwan felt sorry for most of our missionaries and lend some jackets to wear. The next conference was the same story. We announced the weather prediction would be a cold week and it turned out the exact opposite again. NO MORE WEATHER PREDICTION and Clothes to Wear Advice” from me!!! Please google “Weather in Taiwan” and decide what clothes to bring with you. This conference happen to fall on the same dates as the previous one, so we could expect cherry blossoms in bloom and a fairly cold weather … I hope! :)

24. PRAYER & INTERCESSION: Please pray for the success of our 16^th East Asia Regional Conference. Let’s believe that GOD will do something amazing and unforgettable at our conference. Let’s all join hands in our commitment to honor and glorify the LORD before all men in all the nations of the world. Let there be nothing but praises and thanksgiving to our Master and King all throughout the conference.

25. DO’S AND DON’TS IN TAIWAN

a. Table Manners

While Western-style restaurants use the spoon and fork, the utensils of choice throughout Taiwan are chopsticks. Be free to pick up your bowl and hold it under your chin when you eat .Make sure to never stand your chopsticks up in your rice bowl – this action is seen as food left for the dead, usually done at funerals. When beckoning someone over, a waiter perhaps, your hand should be palm down to be polite, not palm up.

Tapping your thumbs on the table is a compliment when eating and a gracious host will tell you the food isn’t as good as he wanted it to be, out of humility.

b. Tipping

Tipping is not expected in Taiwan, except when it comes to bellhops in hotels. In restaurants, they will just add service fee of 10-15% to your check. Other than those places tipping is a custom yet to be practiced regularly. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers, but if the balance is not too much tell them to keep the change (“bu yong dzao.”) It will be appreciated.

c. The Shoes

Wearing sandals and flip flops is viewed as a farmer’s habit, and therefore inappropriate for town outings and work. Many libraries and finer establishments prohibit sandal-wearers onto the premises. Also, don’t forget to take your shoes off when entering someone’s home.

d. Public Transportation

·      When riding a bus or MRT’s lower your voice. Police may be called by train riders. We tend to forget, so please let’s all help in policing our ranks.

·      Queue up nicely for the subway. In fact, queue up nicely for anything that has a queue. There are normally markers on the floor indicating where to stand. Please don’t ignore them.

·      Don’t block the escalators on the left side if you’re not going to walk up or down.

·      Eating and drinking inside the public transportation is prohibited or you will be penalized. This includes chewing gum.

26. VERY IMPORTANT … (a repeat reminder !!)

i. Please check your passport’s EXPIRATION DATE. If it shows a date that falls within 6 months’ period, your passport is no longer valid for travel. You will not be allowed to leave by our immigration officials in the Philippines nor will you be allowed to enter TAIWAN if the date falls in that period on the course of your travel.

ii. If you are an active government employee, you are required by law to secure a TRAVEL PERMIT. You will not be allowed to leave the country if you don’t present that document to our immigration officers.

iii. Those who have not booked your RETURN TICKETS yet, please make sure that you’ll have one ready before you leave for the conference. Our immigration officers will not allow you to depart the country without proof that you possess a return ticket. You may book your ticket to the place of your last planned destination.

iv. SAFEGUARD your passports to the maximum. Please have it photocopied and bring the copy with you always.

v. WARNING: If someone approaches you at the airport and asks for help in checking in their baggage and/or requests if they could include some items with your own with the excuse that they have no money to pay for the extra baggage allowance… DO NOT ENTERTAIN THEM. You might be used to transport illegal items. You will be held fully responsible for your own belongings. Please always be on the side of caution.

vi. CHECK FLIGHT TIMES : We had instances in the past where some of our missionaries missed their flights due to confusion in flight times. Those who have flights in the early morning, need to know that you must be at the airport the day before your flight time. If you go to the airport on the date listed on your booking, the possibility is that you have made a mistake and the flight might have left already early in the morning of that date. You will need pay for a new ticket, which is always expensive, to get a flight back.

vii. INFO PACKS NOS. 1 - 6 (FINAL): This is the FINAL INFO PACK. You may want to print out all info packs (#’s 1-6) and bring with you as reference in case you need guidance. 

1). PRINT .. please have all of the INFO PACKS printed out and   in your possession at all times. Please use the documents as reference or guide documents that you could refer to always.

2). READ … please read and re-read in order to familiarize yourself already even before being on the ground. Those  who joined us in the previous conference who got lost on their way to the venue, regretted not having read the  instructions.  Don’t repeat their mistakes !

27. SPECIAL REQUEST …

COURTESY: May we remind all conference participants that the teams and staffs who will be assisting you will be doing it from the generosity of their own hearts. The best response that you could give is to show gratitude and appreciation. Please take note that a good number of you will be there to be trained and evaluated and not the other way around. Our field team and conference staffs will appreciate greatly courtesy and humility from all.

This is the FINAL INFO PACK. We pray for God’s favor and protection for all the conference participants ENJOY the conference and all of God’s blessings!!

See you in Taiwan soon!!! EXCITING. !!!!

Blessings,

Ptr. Gani Sison