Taoyuan couple buy dream home with hard work and smart strategy

2022-11-08

Many young people in Taiwan today feel that owning their own home is an impossible dream. But some are determined to make the impossible a reality. Let’s meet a young couple in Taoyuan, who with many years’ hard work and a smart strategy, have managed to buy their dream home.

At this restaurant in Taoyuan’s Neili District, five dogs serve as the most enthusiastic members of staff.
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Restaurant owner Yang Chi-hung recalls how he and his wife opened the restaurant seven years ago, building on their experience in the hospitality industry.

Yang Chi-hung
Pet-friendly restaurant owner
I went a whole year with no days off. I was working about 14 hours a day.

Picking up a cup and making foam art is muscle memory by now. Four years ago, the couple’s monthly income was gradually approaching NT$100,000. They were saving up for a home, but couldn’t afford the soaring prices in Taipei or New Taipei. So they chose Taoyuan, and decided on a home in Neili District worth about NT$5 million for their first property.

Yang Chi-hung
Pet-friendly restaurant owner
Even I thought it was very courageous. If we failed then that would be it. The mortgage was NT$22,000. I think the loan increment was more than NT$10,000. So overall, just the mortgage was more than NT$30,000.

Wife of restaurant owner
We saw some houses that were NT$5 million, NT$6 million and NT$7 million. But at that time I didn’t think we’d ever buy something for NT$7 million. I think for your first house, you should just get what you can, and later you can get something nicer. You shouldn’t put too much pressure on yourself all at once.

After three years’ hard work, the couple were able to buy a three-bedroom, 50-ping house in Zhongli They lived there for four years, and then decided to upgrade. They renovated to attract buyers, and in the end, the house they had bought for NT$7.8 million was sold for NT$13.16 million. With money in their pocket, they could move into a spacious 80-ping home in Pingzhen, which they bought for NT$19.9 million.

Wife of restaurant owner
The agent sold the old house for us in two weeks. We had four, five or six potential buyers come in for a viewing every day. Maybe it was because we had renovated. Because, although I’m not so involved in the restaurant business right now, because I have to focus on caring for our children, I do have another job at home, selling cosmetics.

Yang Chi-hung
Pet-friendly restaurant owner
There’s more stress now. If I hadn’t moved there wouldn’t be any stress. We could live easily. But I moved. I’ve got expectations for myself. I want to live better, because it was really tough in the past.

In these days of high interest rates and inflation, even white-collar workers’ salaries can’t keep up with the runaway housing market. For middle class people to win at the property game, they need to make a step-by-step smart strategy like this family, be willing to move house repeatedly, and commit fully to the dream.

創業脫離雙北買房! 夫妻"小屋換大屋"

2022-11-08

生長在高通膨和升息時代，二、三十歲的年輕人，怎麼殺出重圍買房，成了大家討論的話題。桃園中壢就有一對三十多歲的夫妻檔，畢業後靠著創業、脫離雙北、先求有再求好的心法，成為首購族，一天工作14個小時不喊累，現在他們，以小換大，舊房子以裝潢擄獲買家的心、賣掉後賺進536萬，再以這獲利換到80坪大的房子。

走進桃園內壢這家餐廳，店裡五隻毛小孩當起店員，很受歡迎。

老闆楊期閎，回想起七年前，他用餐飲出身的優勢，和太太一起開了餐廳。

[[寵物友善餐廳老闆楊期閎]]
“曾經一年工作都沒有休息，每天上14個小時左右，上班。”

拿起咖啡杯，拉花已經變成習慣動作，四年前夫妻倆個人月收入漸漸接近10萬，好不容存到錢有了買房打算，但雙北房價高、根本買不起，因此選擇桃園、目標500萬左右的房子，在內壢找到第一間房。

[[寵物友善餐廳老闆楊期閎]]
“我自己都覺得很有勇氣，失敗就完了。房貸2萬2，那增貸應該是還1萬多塊，那總共光是房貸部分就3萬多了。”

[[寵物友善餐廳老闆娘]]
“看到5百萬的、6百萬的、7百萬的都有，可是那時候沒有想到說，我們會買到7百萬，就第一間房子的時候，先求有再求好，不要一下子就把自己壓力逼那麼緊迫。”

只拚了3年，就買下中壢這間3房50坪的房子，然後住了4年、打算以小換大。他們用裝潢擄獲買家的心，當初780萬入手的房子，現在以1316萬賣出，手邊錢變多了，他們轉進一間在平鎮80坪1970萬的大房子。

[[寵物友善餐廳老闆娘]]
“他(房仲)兩個禮拜就幫我們把房子賣掉，每天都約個四五組、五六組一直看。可能因為我覺得我們家有裝潢，因為像我現在雖然就是，可能餐廳的工作有比較少接觸到，因為要全心帶小孩，但我在家我也會有斜槓另外一個事業，就是我現在賣保養品。”

[[寵物友善餐廳老闆楊期閎]]
“更有壓力了啦，如果我不換，我其實沒有什麼壓力，可以好好過，可是我換了，就給自己一個期許吧，讓自己過好一點點，因為以前真的比較辛苦。”

生長在升息和高通膨時代，小資族薪水永遠追不上房價攀升速度，只有靠著聰明理財，以小換大，一步步腳踏實地達成買房夢想。

Four DPP mayoral candidates in Northern Taiwan propose integrated transport pass

The DPP’s mayoral candidates for Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan on Monday held a campaign event together to present a joint transport proposal for Northern Taiwan. They say the four cities can launch a monthly transport pass that expands on the current All Pass Ticket available in Taipei and New Taipei, at a lower price. In addition to the Taipei Metro, the Danhai LRT, city buses and YouBikes, the proposed pass would also be usable on TRA trains, intercity coach buses and the Taoyuan Metro.

The DPP mayoral candidates for Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung and Taoyuan have announced a proposal to launch a NT$1,200 public transport pass valid in all four cities.

Chen Shih-chung
Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
I came up with a slogan. Better Taipei, Closer Taiwan. But before Taiwan can grow closer, we need smaller areas to get closer.

Cheng Yun-peng
Taoyuan mayoral candidate (DPP)
This is a monthly transport pass that encompasses different means of transportation across city boundaries and living spaces.

Lin Chia-lung
New Taiipei City mayoral candidate (DPP)
Lower the price and add in Keelung and Taoyuan to expand the scope of the metropolis. The current pass is only usable in Taipei and New Taipei. The new pass would also include new transport networks.

Tsai Shih-ying
Keelung mayoral candidate (DPP)
It’ll be a breath of fresh air. Over the past few decades, the mayors in the greater Taipei area have not proposed any plans for urban governance across city boundaries.

Currently, the NT$1,280 All Pass Ticket can be used in Taipei and New Taipei, to ride the Taipei Metro, the Danhai LRT, city buses and rent YouBikes. The plan proposed by the mayors would expand its use to intercity buses, regular trains and the Taoyuan Metro. The mayoral candidates say the funding for the tickets won’t be a problem.

Chen Shih-chung
Taipei mayoral candidate (DPP)
The central government has a policy goal to reduce carbon emissions, and integrate different areas to promote comfortable living. These are central government targets. Our governance plan is in line with these targets, so of course the central government would offer economic assistance.

Lin Chia-lung
New Taiipei City mayoral candidate (DPP)
Transport minister Wang Kwo-tsai and the people in the ministry really support this. Implementing this plan in Taipei and New Taipei would cost NT$1 billion more or less. For Keelung and Taoyuan, that’s about NT$700 million. We have run the numbers, and worked out concrete details. It’s feasible.

On the countdown to Election Day, the four DPP candidates presented their policy proposal together, in hopes of attracting the votes of urban dwellers in Northern Taiwan.

2022-11-08

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Kaohsiung mayor Chen Chi-mai opens mini funfair at campaign headquarters

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Taipei First Girls High School marching band to perform at Rose Parade in US

The marching band at Taipei First Girls High School will be representing Taipei at the Rose Parade in the U.S. on Jan. 2, 2023. In total, 135 students and teachers from the high school will be traveling across the Pacific to take part in the event. The marching band will be performing many Disney classics, and trying out complex formations to impress even the most seasoned marching band fans. The trip is partly sponsored by the Taipei government, which put forward NT$3 million so that Taiwan could be seen at the parade once again after 18 years.

They move in perfect sync, impressing the crowd. Then it’s time to change formation, a true test of skill.

After 18 years without, the marching band at Taipei First Girls High School has been invited once again to take part in the Rose Parade in the U.S.

Huang Yu-chieh
Marching band captain
Once we heard the news we were very excited. We’re very happy to have this opportunity.

Chien Yi-shan
Marching band captain
Part of the itinerary includes a parade at Disneyland. So most of our musical pieces are related to Disney. The Rose Parade is two hours long. So we did special training for that during the summer break.

To put on the best show possible, students rehearsed through the heat of summer. In their performance, they’ll be adding new songs and formations, including one with the three Chinese characters in their school’s name.

Wu Chi-chun
Marching band captain
We’ll have a lot of people in the parade, 50 people. So the formations will be very striking. In the end we will form the Chinese characters for Taipei First Girls High School.

The marching band at the high school previously took part in the Rose Parade in 1996 and 2005. This time around, 135 teachers and students will be part of the delegation. That means travel costs of more than NT$10 million. It was only thanks to a NT$3 million sponsorship from the Taipei government that the band is able to set off for the U.S.

Ko Wen-je
Taipei mayor
We expect there to be hundreds of thousands of people at the parade. And more than 10 million will be watching a broadcast on their screens. It is an opportunity for Taiwan to step out to the world. I would really like to thank Taipei First Girls High School, for representing Taipei and engaging in city diplomacy after 18 years.

The marching band members are excited to get going. It is the third time that the band from the school will take part in the grand parade, showing to the world just what Taiwan’s younger generations are capable of.

2022-11-08

‘Uncoverings: The Search for Identity in Lithuanian Photography’ opens in Taipei

A new photography exhibition has opened in Taipei. The show explores the history of identities in Lithuania, both at cultural and individual levels. The exhibition titled, "Uncoverings: The Search for Identity in Lithuanian Photography," also gives visitors a glimpse into the history of photography in the European nation. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look!

This exhibition is divided into three themes: “Identity as Reality,” “Identity as an Object,” and “Identity as a Concept.” The first part of the exhibition explores the development of Lithuanian photography. From 1940 until 1990, Lithuania was occupied by the Soviet Union. It was not until 1950 that Lithuanian photography started to develop. Photography became a tool for self-expression and played a significant role in forming the ideology of the state. Many of these works were captured by Lithuanian photographer, Antansas Sutkus.

Fu Yuan-cheng
National Center of Photography and Images
The first part of the exhibition, "Identity as Reality," showcases the beginning and gradual formation of photography in Lithuania after 1950. In this series, it is mainly the presentation of humanistic documentary photography. We mainly have the works of Antanas Sutkus on display. For example, this work, "Blind Pioneer," reflects the spirit of Lithuania’s humanistic photography.

The second part of the exhibition explores the transformation of Lithuanian culture and history. Lithuanian photographers in the 1980s witnessed a movement for political transformation, along with mass protests. During this time, the photographers portrayed the fatigue people felt by capturing photos of everyday objects.

Fu Yuan-cheng
National Center of Photography and Images
The second part, "Identity as an Object" talks about Lithuania after the 1980s during a revolution. The artist also hopes to get rid of the spirit of the past humanistic photography. In this exhibition, the main thing is to explore the concept of identity. From the concept of identity, the desire for freedom and thirst for freedom can be drawn. This also corresponds to the current situation, whether it is Taiwan , Lithuania or the current Russian invasion of Ukraine. These situations let us reflect on the concept of our own identity.

Lastly, the third part of the exhibition showcases works created in the 21st century. Due to the development of technology and digital photography, artists who emerged during this period took photos highlighting society from different perspectives to encourage viewers to think about novel topics.

Fu Yuan-cheng
National Center of Photography and Images
The third part mainly exhibits the works of Lithuanian photographers after the 21st century. After gaining independence in 1990, many Lithuanian photographers have more opportunities to study and also continue with the spirit of their predecessors.

The organizers have borrowed the collections of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art to exhibit in Taiwan. Through the exhibition in Taiwan, it hopes to showcase the diversity of the East European nation’s voices through photography as well as deepen the relationship between Taiwan and Lithuania.

Fu Yuan-cheng
National Center of Photography and Images
During the epidemic last year, Lithuania donated masks and vaccines to Taiwan twice. Due to this, there was an opportunity and a platform for international exchange relations between Taiwan and Lithuania to begin. In addition to pandemic diplomacy at the time, the Ministry of Culture also hopes to have a deeper exchange with Lithuania in future. Through these three themes, we hope to show the development of Lithuania’s photography, as well as understand the diversity of identities.

The exhibition will showcase the works of 21 local Lithuanian photographers from 1950 to today. “Uncoverings: The Search for Identity in Lithuanian Photography," will be on at the National Center of Photography and Images until Nov. 13.

2022-11-08

National Palace Museum director speaks to lawmakers about broken artifacts

The director of National Palace Museum on Tuesday went to the Legislative Yuan to report on the museum’s measures to be more transparent about damages and repairs to the museum’s collection. The report comes amid claims that the museum had tried to cover up stories of mishaps. Museum director Wu Mi-cha said investigations had revealed that one of the broken ceramic pieces that recently caught media attention had been broken due to negligence. That’s in contrast with a Qing-era painting that was cut intentionally to fit a display case. To increase transparency, Wu says the museum will make public documentation on all the items damaged and restored since 1959.

This is a Qing dynasty era painting of the old floating bridge that crossed the Yellow River in the Chinese city of Lanzhou. It was recently reported that the National Palace Museum, where the piece is housed, had cropped the painting to fit it into a display case. Museum director Wu Mi-cha on Tuesday reported on the issue at the legislature.

Wu Mi-cha
National Palace Museum director
This is a very serious mistake. It’s also different from what happened recently when artifacts were damaged due to negligence. This was a case of someone giving an order to cut the painting.

Wu promised the museum would make public as much information as it can about damaged artifacts. He added that one of the three broken items recently reported on by local media had been broken due to neglect, but details on how other two items were damaged remain unclear. The Control Yuan has also launched its own investigation into the matter. Lawmaker Huang Kuo-shu said records show that 359 items have been repaired by the museum to date, and asked why the public was not informed when those items were damaged.

Wu Mi-cha
National Palace Museum director
You can now look at the records of restorations done over the past several decades. That information is completely open to the public.

With three items having been found damaged in the course of one year, some have questioned whether there is a problem with the museum’s operational procedures. DPP Legislator Chang Liao Wan-chien has suggested a reshuffle of the museum’s personnel.

Su Tseng-chang
Premier
A reshuffle will happen anyway as part of the Executive Yuan’s next reorganization. It doesn’t need to be done more urgently than that. What matters is that the museum can operate well, that’s the top priority.

The premier said the Executive Yuan respected the museum’s operational model, but that it also strongly supported change where change is needed.

2022-11-08

Rare astronomical event as blood moon momentarily covers Uranus in night sky

2022-11-08

Wild animal vet Chen Yun-shih honored for lifetime of service to Taiwanese fauna

2022-11-08