Only direct flight route to Boracay getting canceled

Only direct flight route to Boracay getting canceled

2025-12-24

Taiwan’s only direct flight route to Boracay in the Philippines is getting the chop. Budget airline Royal Air Philippines has announced the suspension of the service starting Jan. 4 next year.

The winter break is peak season for Boracay, and travel agencies are expecting significant losses of NT$2 to NT$3 million, especially due to the impact on charter flights. Travelers are expected to change their itineraries, and hotel bookings that have already been made are non-refundable. Usually flights with a layover would go for NT$7,000 to NT$8,000; but already, prices have soared to more than NT$10,000, and seats are hard to come by.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#boracay #philippines #travel #taiwan #flights

菲律賓皇家航空停航台北直飛長灘島旅行業者:損失2、3百萬

2025-12-24

台灣唯一直飛長灘島的航線沒了！菲律賓廉航菲律賓皇家航空，無預警宣布明年1月4號起，停飛台北-長灘島航線。

由於寒假正是長灘島的旅遊旺季，旅行社包機首當其衝，業者坦言，粗估損失約2、3百萬，因為不只旅客可能會因此退改行程，已經下訂的飯店更是都無法退費。通常一般轉機票價落在7000至8000，但菲皇航無預警停業後，機票價格直線上升，一張漲過萬元，還一位難求。

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民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

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Corporate bigshot buys thousands of willow branches for charity

When thinking of Sanxing Township in Yilan, the first thing that comes to mind is Sanxing scallions. But its silver willow tree industry is also thriving, producing 5 million branches a year and even selling them abroad. Recently, the head of a machinery company, himself an Yilan native, purchased 100,000 willow branches to support local farmers. He also donated products made from the branches to disadvantaged groups.

Willow branches are placed inside jars, paired with colorful dried flowers, and lit up, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

There are all kinds of products made from silver willow branches here, including gifts, aromatic pouches, and even essential oils. In addition to its famous scallions, Yilan’s Sanxing Township produces 5 million silver willow branches annually, accounting for 80% of the industry in Taiwan, most of which are exported.

Shen Ming-ching
Willow industry insider
For exports, we only use harvests from the first and second years. Since we need to compete internationally, for the third year we place a strong emphasis on quality. Thanks to our unique technique, we can make forked branches rather than just single, straight ones, which differentiates our product in the market.

The silver willow grows well in Yilan thanks to its unique geographic conditions. The trees once covered 120 hectares of farmland. One Yilan native, now the head of a machinery company, recently bought 100,000 branches to support local farmers. Showing true altruism, he even donated products made from the branches to the disadvantaged.

Hung Fu-liang
Vendor
We will use them for bonsai or landscaping and l send them to places like orphanages. Silver willows have a very positive meaning for us. The word for them in Taiwanese is “silver,” so through this gesture, our company hopes to inspire more businesses to bring wealth—symbolized by the silver willow—back home.

Lin Mei-hua
Local agriculture official
In the future, we hope that purchases in the silver willow industry can be on a larger scale. We hope to bring in social enterprises so they can participate in our local agricultural activities.

The local government hopes to invite more businesses to participate in local agricultural activities. By combining government guidance with corporate purchasing, the silver willow industry can rise even higher.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#willow #silver #silverwillow #LunarNewYear #wealth #prosperity #Yilan #Sanxing #agriculture

2025-12-24

Kind fried chicken vendor gives replacement after man drops food

A story of daily life kindness at a fermented tofu fried chicken stand has garnered much attention online in the past few days. A customer who bought two bags of chicken accidentally dropped one, spilling the food on the ground. Before he had time to react, the stall owner had already served him up another portion, and insisted on giving it to him free of charge. This led to a back-and-forth that’s warmed the hearts of thousands online.

The vendor hands bags of freshly fried chicken to the costumer and turns back to his business. After grabbing a skewer, the customer ducks down… He dropped his chicken.

- I dropped it...
It’s fine I’ll go without.

The vendor quickly packed him another serving of chicken, indicating him to not bother with the food on the floor. But the customer refused it, starting a push-and-pull at the stall.

Voice of Mr. Su
Stall owner
I saw the bag fall, and I thought, it’s fine. I served another portion and handed it to him, but he said there was no need. He said he’d eat food that fell on the floor as a kid, and that he’d be fine. But I insisted, telling him not to eat it. I kept trying to give him a fresh serving, but he kept refusing. So we got into this back-and-forth.

Though it was apparently the customer’s fault, the vendor chose kindness and gave him a replacement. A video of the exchange has gone viral online.

- He’s so kind
- Would you buy from him?
- Yes!

- It’s great
- It makes you want to go back again.

Other fried food vendors say that slippery plastic bags often end up on the ground. They say they usually just offer a refund.

Ms. Huang
Sells fried food
Sometimes they drop it. If it’s all still inside the bag and the food didn’t fall out, I’ll ask the customer if they still want it, or if they would want a refund.

In this case, the fried chicken vendor, who’s been running the stand for just over a year, decided to offer a replacement. With the end of the year around the corner, it’s small actions like these that warm people’s hearts.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#friedchicken #chicken #kindness #kind #heartwarming #goodnews

2025-12-24

Dentists have improved full-mouth reconstructive surgery so it’s faster

Taiwan’s society is aging and tooth loss among older adults is becoming increasingly common. In the past, regaining their smiles with full-mouth reconstruction required dental patients to endure the pain of having multiple implants inserted. Often implants would fail, leaving them unable to eat. Now dentists have hit on a way of using only a small number of implants to support an entire set of dentures in a fast one-day long operation that is less invasive. Let’s find out more.

Some people lose teeth due to calcium loss. Now they can have a full set of teeth with the "All-on-4" digitally guided implant system for full-mouth reconstruction surgery.

Ms. Liu
Patient
Whenever I ate, I would eat things that are a little softer, and when preparing meals, I might to cook them so that they suit me. Later on, when I learnt there was this dental implant surgery and a friend recommended them. I was able to get a treatment plan tailored for me and gradually I tried to resolve this issue as soon as possible so that I could eat normally again.

Full-mouth reconstruction with dental implants uses an ultra-precise minimally invasive dynamic navigation system. Only a small number of implants need to be placed in the upper and lower jaws, and then the dentures are attached to the alveolar bone. The patient can eat right after the procedure with temporary dentures.

Kang Chih-wei
Dentist
The principle of this dental implant technique is to use 4 to 6 artificial tooth roots, which are implanted at a special angle into a relatively stable position in the alveolar bone, without any need for bone grafting. This approach allows for excellent initial stability immediately after placement. The “All-on-4” dental implant method has demonstrated a survival rate of up to 96.9% over a 10-year follow-up period.

The technique can stably support the entire set of dentures without additional bone grafting. The treatment process is faster, it is less invasive and the oral functions can achieve the same stability as traditional dental implants. However, this technique requires a higher level of skill.

Kang Chih-wei
Dentist
We’ve compressed the entire complex process of full-mouth treatment, from periodontal therapy to tooth extraction, implantation, and even denture fabrication, into a single day. Therefore, when choosing a medical team, patients should pay attention to at least three things: first, the preoperative assessment; second, the choice of implants; and third, the clinical skills of the medical team. Does the clinical medical team have the skills to handle all the possible surgical procedures?

This dental team has been trained and certified by the original manufacturer, and are capable of designing false teeth to ensure surgical precision and long-term success rates. The era of precision dental implants has arrived, bringing smiles to the public.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#dentistry #dentalimplants #agingsociety

2025-12-24

Whimsy on every corner of Taichung this holiday season

To bask in festive spirits of the year-end holiday season, Taichung has added touches of whimsy in popular landmarks. For example, the dinosaurs on several pedestrian lights now sport a Santa hat and offer a present during the green light. The seasonal Parklane Christmas market in the same area also recreated a snowy winter wonderland to visitors’ delight.

Chang Chiao-I
FTV reporter
Pedestrian lights along Taichung’s Calligraphy Greenway all have a little dinosaur, to accompany everyone crossing the road. Recently, the dinos appear quite different.

It huffs and puffs during the red light, and offers a gift on green. Look closely, and you’ll see that it’s also wearing a Santa hat.

Member of public
Passing by Calligraphy Greenway
It’s wearing a Christmas hat. Very creative.

Member of public
Passing by Calligraphy Greenway
My kid loved it when I first brought them here to see it. They were like, “Wow! The dinosaur is walking!” It shows up with a present on green light. Before, it was only a plain dinosaur whether it’s red light or green light.

For the festive season, Taichung’s Transportation Bureau had the pedestrian lights’ cartoon characters wear seasonal accessories, including the dinosaurs and the Calligraphy Greenway puppy. The annual Parklane Christmas market also features a 7m-tall Christmas tree that “snows” every nightime hour starting at 6 p.m.

Member of public
Passing by Calligraphy Greenway
It’s really pretty. It feels like we’re covered in snow. Even though the weather’s really warm, it looks like it’s really cold. I like it.

The same festive spirit can be experienced at the main station, where an 18m-tall Christmas tree stands proudly, surrounded by lanterns of endearing Sumikko Gurashi characters.

Whimsy is everywhere in Taichung this winter, delighting both locals and visitors alike.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#holidayseason #christmas #xmas #holidays #festive #yule #saturnalia #solinvictus #rauhnächte #happyholidays

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Seller, firm fined over product promising weight loss while sitting

There’s no end to products for fitness and weight loss. But among the thousands online, the Fair Trade Commission found one leg resistance trainer promising you can “lose weight by lying down while on your phone,” and that “200 times is equivalent to a 30-minute jog.” Based on these misleading claims, the commission fined the seller NT$200,000.

This leg resistance trainer automatically counts reps, claiming to help you easily achieve a curvy figure. Perfect for leg, backside, and postpartum training, you don’t even need to sit up. Just lie back and squeeze the trainer between your legs to strengthen your pelvic floor and slim down your hips. But is it really that amazing?

This leg resistance trainer not only helps tone your legs and sculpt your backside, but also strengthens the pelvic floor muscles that may have weakened over childbirth. Every night before bed, or when relaxing with a show or on your phone, do 200 reps. There’s no need to go to the gym. You can easily work out right at home.

Tang Shih-ching
FTV reporter
This 30-second video included two claims that seriously breached the Fair Trade Act. For this, the online retailer selling it in Taiwan was hit by a fine from the Fair Trade Commission.

The ad claims that doing 200 reps is equivalent to a 30-minute jog, and that you can lose weight while lying down on your phone. But as it doesn’t provide any medical evidence for the claims, the commission initiated an investigation. Apart from fining the online retailer NT$200,000, the company that makes the product was also fined NT$200,00 in April for false advertising.

Voice of Hsin Chih-chung
FTC spokesperson
This ad is related to physique and weight loss, but after consultation with many professional groups, we found it does not actually possess such functionality and cannot result in weight loss or body shaping. Therefore, the ad was deemed false and misleading, and we issued a formal reprimand.

An online search for leg resistance trainers reveals a wide variety of types and functions. But if it claims to have special benefits, such as losing weight while laying down, it clearly crosses the line. Apart from issuing fines, the commission demanded the ad be rectified. If it is not removed by the deadline, it could be issued repeated fines.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#fitness #product #falseadvertising #weightloss #FTC #fairtrade #ecommerce #shopping #advertising

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Sibling ensemble holds fifth annual concert at family radish factory

About 80% of all preserved radish in Taiwan is produced in Chiayi’s Budai Township, making it one of the area’s most important products. One family relied on pickled radish to raise five children, all of whom are also musicians. The eldest returned five years ago to take over the family business after getting a master’s in music from the US, and started organizing concerts at the factory as a thank you. The concerts have gotten grander over the years, bringing classical music to rural Taiwan.

Five siblings form a string ensemble complete with violin, viola, cello, and bass. But the venue is a bit unusual — this concert is at their family’s preserved radish factory. Playing familiar Taiwanese folk songs and elegant classical music, they transformed the family warehouse into a concert hall.

Chiu Tzu-hsin
Ensemble leader
Most people think of learning music by playing in concert halls, but we wanted to break this stereotype by bringing music to rural areas as well.

The venue’s decor was also unique. Instead of bouquets, there were radishes. Budai Township in Chiayi is known for pickled radish, producing 80% of Taiwan’s total. The Chiu family has been making preserved radish for a century, over five generations. The eldest daughter, Chiu Pei-chen, took over the business five years ago. Even though she holds a master’s in music from the University of Wyoming, she can also operate a forklift. To combine her love of music with the family business, she started holding a “radish concert” series. Now in its fifth year, the event has grown even more spectacular. Even a local brass band from Chiayi joined in this year’s festivities.

Huang Mei-chu
Mother
We hope to leverage our family’s expertise combined with local culture to enrich ourselves and revitalize the area.

By bringing classical music to the lives of rural people, this “radish concert” breaks down barriers and offers a fresh perspective on both traditional family businesses and music.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#BudaiTownship #Chiayi #familybusiness #pickledradish #preservedradish #concert #classicalmusic #ensemble #violin #viola #cello #rural

2025-12-24